There is broad support for major changes to the tax system, according to the Government's Tax Working Group.
Its public consultation phase has now closed, and the group received 6,700 submissions from the public and almost 16,000 votes across five 'quick poll' questions on its website.
Responses indicated there was broad support for major changes to the tax system, but the group stressed that the five voluntary polls were non-scientific.
Voters were divided over whether the taxation system should be used to make housing more affordable, or whether that was not its responsibility.
When asked which tax issues mattered the most, respondents said a new capital gains tax on investments, protecting the environment and funding retirement were the most important.
A small amount of people felt that the right things were being taxed, while most felt that a few or most of the right things were being taxed.
The working group, chaired by former Finance Minister Sir Michael Cullen, meets once a fortnight. It is due to present its draft recommendations to ministers in September and final recommendations in February 2019.
Quick Polls results:
What does the future of tax look like to you?
- No changes: Keep it as it is 533
- Some small changes needed 1008
- Major changes needed 1441
- A complete overhaul 849
- Something else 287
What is the purpose of tax?
- Stay in the background 1116
- Encourage New Zealanders to make better choices 346
- Encourage investment in some types of Business 120
- Support those in NZ who need help 443
- Something else 230
Are we taxing the right things?
- Absolutely not 680
- A few things 1156
- Unsure 159
- Most things 1148
- Yes we are taxing the right things 399
Can tax make housing more affordable?
- No - it's not the responsibility of the tax system 1463
- Yes - help make housing more affordable 1046
- Unsure 107
- Yes - but I'm not sure how 244
- Yes - I have another idea 264
What tax issues matter most to you?
- Funding retirement 618
- Business tax 318
- Protecting the environment 447
- A CGT on investments which aren't currently taxed 734
- Something else 567
Source: Tax Working Group
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