Where will interest rates in New Zealand go next? That's the burning question on the minds of home owners and property investors.
Introduction Interest rates play a crucial role in shaping a country's economic landscape. They influence borrowing costs, spending patterns, investment decisions, and ultimately the overall health of an economy. New Zealand, a nation known for its resilient economy and prudent fiscal policies, has been closely monitoring and managing its interest rates in response to various domestic and global factors. As we look ahead, the question on everyone's minds is: where will interest rates in New Zealand go next? In this blog post, we will explore the factors that influence interest rate decisions in New Zealand and discuss potential directions for future rate movements. Past vs Current Landscape Back in late 2021, the official cash rate (OCR), which is the benchmark interest rate set by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), stood at a historic low of 0.25%. This low rate was implemented as part of the country's response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to stimulate borrowing, spending, and investment to aid economic recovery. As we all know, the RBNZ (and many other central banks around the world) overcooked things, and New Zealanders now find themselves dealing with interest rates in the 7% range. Factors Influencing Interest Rates Several factors play a role in shaping New Zealand's interest rate decisions:
Future Directions While I can't predict the future, I can highlight some potential scenarios for New Zealand's interest rates:
Conclusion The trajectory of interest rates in New Zealand is subject to a complex interplay of domestic and global factors. While it's challenging to predict the exact path rates will take, understanding the key drivers behind rate decisions can provide insights into potential scenarios. As New Zealand continues to navigate its economic recovery and adapt to changing circumstances, the Reserve Bank will play a pivotal role in determining the appropriate direction for interest rates, aiming to strike a balance between supporting growth and maintaining stability.
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That's a good question, and it depends a lot on what entity incurs the loss. Let's break down the various types and what effect they have. Look-Through Company (LTC)If you are a shareholder in a Look-Through Company (LTC) and that company makes a loss, then you get to carry that loss through to your personal tax return (usually an IR3). There are a few rules and limitations* which we won't go into at length here. Let's assume you're a salaried employee, and so you've had PAYE deducted from your wages. Well, at the end of the financial year a wash-up is done on your personal tax return. The above-mentioned loss is deducted from your gross (pre-tax) wages. It might look something like this: $85,000 Wages -$ 5,000 Loss from LTC which owns rental property $ 4,000 Income from personally owned rental property - - - - - - - $85,000 Net taxable income -$ 1,000 Rental loss to carry forward to next financial year We then calculate (a) how much tax you have paid, and (b) how much tax you should have paid. If (a) is more than (b) then you get a tax refund. If the other way around, you have tax to pay. Limited Liability Company (LLC)Ok this situation is totally different. If the LLC makes a loss, then it can't be passed on to anyone. Not the shareholders, not the directors: no one. Instead, it carries that loss forward to the following financial year. If there is taxable profit, then the loss can be offset against that profit. It might look something like this: $85,000 Net taxable profit -$ 5,000 Losses brought forward from previous years - - - - - - - $80,000 Net taxable income If there is no profit, then you just keep carrying the losses forward, year to year. TrustIf you have a trust it's the same as an LLC with respect to losses. They can't be distributed out to the beneficiaries. Rather, they get carried forward until there is profit to offset them against. PartnershipA partnership works in a similar way to a Look-Through Company essentially. Losses are distributed to each partner, according to the rules of the partnership. CombosSometimes you might combine some of these structures. For example, a trust might own all the shares in a Look-Through Company. The LTC makes a loss. What happens then? In this case, the losses flow through to the Trust. They are then dealt with as explained above. QuestionsIn the meantime, please contact us with any questions, or talk to your tax professional. * From 1 April 2019, tax losses will no longer flow through from LTCs that are residential land rich. Please contact us or call for advice on how to get the best results from your portfolio, build wealth and minimise tax So, you are all sorted, retirement plan underway, Kiwisaver, managed funds, even a bit of crypto... but wait? Schools aren't set up to teach financial literacy, so how and when should you do that? Is there a better way than just giving the kids pocket money and telling them "spend it wisely"? (Yes) Do you want your kids to be great with money? (yes) We chat to a couple of Kiwi dads (Jamie and Jovan) about the free app SquareOne, curated right here in lil' ole' NZ to help parents teach their kids about financial literacy and wellbeing. Money vs Your Emotions: What You Need to Know! Amazing insights from Lynda the Money Mentalist! What does Money have to do with Your Emotions? A lot! We discuss with Lynda Moore* how our relationship with money can lead us to make dysfunctional decisions, and how to address that. What things do first home buyers and property investors need to have in order before they approach the bank? Or the broker? There is loads of great advice in this excellent interview. And, look out for the financial reason why you and your significant other need regular date nights!
*Lynda is an accountant and has studied psychology. Contact Lynda via lynda@moneymentalist.com or at moneymentalist.com What investors need to know about cryptocurrencies: Risk and Taxes? We discuss the big questions that investors need to know: Should your investment portfolio include cryptocurrency? Why? What are the risks? What about tax? If you trade one currency for another, is it taxable? What about if you mine? Is there any way to sell crypto and it not be taxable? And lastly, what about the accusation that cryptocurrencies are not eco-friendly? We find out the answers to all these questions, and more. Visit Goodlife Financial Advice www.goodlifeadvice.co.nz
Buy #bitcoin at EasyCrypto https://easycrypto.com/?ref=73913 ![]() Inland Revenue released a Tax Information Bulletin (TIB) in September 2019, which clarified this. For the purposes of this blog post, we are going to assume that the LTC or an individual only holds residential rental property i.e. no commercial, they are not a trader or an associated person or a developer etc, they don't have an Airbnb-style short-stay accommodation house in the picture. Can losses from an LTC with residential rental property be offset against income from rentals owned by a partnership or in your personal name? It depends on whether
However, the answer is essentially, "Yes", if:
So the result is, you can have a negatively-geared LTC, and given the above points, the losses can flow through to you as a shareholder. You can then offset this against profits from a personally-owned rental (either solely owned or in a partnership). The situation also works in reverse ie there are profits in the LTC and losses in the personal/partnership rental. Note that you can't offset any losses against income from other sources e.g. wages, like you used to in the good old days. That is what the concept of "ring-fencing of losses" means. The losses are "ring-fenced" so that they only apply to residential rental property. Some interesting points
Do restructure strategies such as selling your old family home to an LTC still work? We have previously recommended this, in blog posts such as this one. The answer is now a big "no." Why? Changing ownership structures will now not shift/change non-deductible debt into deductible debt in any residential investment property scenario, including short-stay accommodation. For more info, see this blog article For more info, the IRD Sept 2019 TIB is below As always, situations vary, so please contact us for advice on your specific situation. Call 099730706 or email us here ![]()
WEBINAR:
SUMMARY OF CHANGESChanges announced in April 2021 by the government:
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?At present, when you receive rents, you can offset expenses against that rental income to reduce the taxable profit. A big part of this is interest paid on the rental mortgage/s. If the expenses are more than the income (a "loss"), the Ring Fencing laws mean the loss can't offset non-rental income, and the loss instead is carried forward to the next year. If you have two or more rentals, the loss from one property can offset the profit from another (depending on how your affairs are structured). However, under these new laws, the interest deduction will (over 4 years) be reduced, then finally removed. Rental properties will make more profit, and for almost everyone: there will be a lot of tax to pay. And of course, if you can't claim the expenses on interest, but still have to pay it... where does the money come from? You have to raise the rent. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
FAQQ: So what can I claim? A: You can claim all the usual costs e.g. property management, repairs & maintenance, rates, insurance, legal etc. Re interest: It depends on timing. The following chart shows how much you can claim, depending on when you "acquired" the property: Q: How do I work out the tax impact? A: The calculator below will help you work out the taxable income. The exact tax depends on many things e.g. owned personally or via a trust or LTC? How much wages you receive etc etc. Note that this calculator assumes you already own/have "acquired" the investment property/ies. ![]()
Q: My rental was a new build. Does it still qualify as a new build under these laws?
A: Probably not. Q: Is short-stay accommodation caught by the new interest deductibility limitations? A: It would appear that mixed-use-assets (MUAs) - which are holiday homes partly used personally and which are vacant for at least 62 days in a year - are not caught by these new rules, but IRD specify this (at 2.33) "the Government considers it important that where a residential property could be used to provide long-term rental accommodation, the income tax treatment is the same whether the property is used to provide long-term rental accommodation or short-stay accommodation. Any income tax advantage provided for properties used for short-stay accommodation could reduce effective housing supply." In other words, it would seem that yes, it is caught. Just remember that this is all "draft" at this stage, so not actual law. Q: When did I "acquire" my rental property? A: For tax purposes, a property is generally acquired on the date a binding sale and purchase agreement is entered into (even if some conditions still need to be met). More info here. Note that for the purposes of the changes outlined here, a property acquired on or after 27 March 2021 will be treated as having been acquired before 27 March 2021, if the purchase was the result of an offer the purchaser made on or before 23 March 2021 that cannot be withdrawn before 27 March 2021. Q: My property sale will be taxable due to the Bright-Line Test (BLT). Can I claim the interest costs in that scenario? A: No one knows. IRD say "The Government will consult on the detail of these proposals. Consultation will cover an exemption for new builds acquired as a residential investment property, and whether all people who are taxed on the sale of a property (for example under the bright-line tests) should be able to deduct their interest expense at the time of the sale." Q: How do the "main home" changes work? A: Actually, it reminds us a bit of how CGT works in Aussie. There is a great explanation at Stuff together with an example. (Thanks Stuff.co.nz!) ![]() Is selling your home taxable?, Or in other words, do you have to pay tax when selling your home? Buying and selling your private or family home typically is not taxable. However some are looking to purchase a family home with the intention of reselling it in time, and a few earn their income this way – buying and selling. If you have established a pattern of purchasing and then selling your “family home,” this could be considered as property speculation or dealing for tax purposes. So, how do you know whether you are considered a property speculator, dealer or wheer you are an investor?
How do you know if selling your home will be taxable? Think carefully about the answers to these five questions. QUESTIONSQ. Ok, so I just have to hold onto a property for a really long time and then I’m not considered a dealer? A. No. The amount of time you hold the property is immaterial. It’s your intention at the time of acquisition.If you bought a property with the intention of reselling it, then any capital gain that you make on the sale taxable. Q. Right-o. So, is there some sort of level? That is, my first couple of properties are tax-free and then I pay tax after that? A. Ahhh… no. Again, it’s intention, patterns and associations – not numbers of properties sold. Q. What period of Brightline Test applies to my house? A. The bright-line property rule looks at whether the property was acquired:
Q. What about sub-dividing? Is that taxable? A. That's a big subject. Contact us. Q. Great. It looks like I might have to pay tax then. How do I figure that out? A. Contact us. * For more info see this link at Inland Revenue
What will the new tax rates in NZ mean for you? Now that the election is decided, there will be a new tax rate to deal with in 2021: 39% on personal income exceeding $180,000 per year.
These coming changes emphasize how important it is to have the right business and/or investment structures in place. There will be tax planning opportunities arising out of the difference between the trust tax rate (33%), the company tax rate (28%), the present top personal tax rate (33%) and the new top personal tax rate (39%). If you would like a review of your tax position and structure, please complete the contact form below or call us on 099730706 line 2 WHAT CAN YOU DO?![]() 1. MORTAGE HOLIDAY: In other news, with the OCR dropping to (and staying at) 0.25%, your bank should be passing on rate cuts for any floating loans, and it is worth looking at existing loans to see if you should break and re-fix or extend the term. Break fees are tax-deductible. Ask the bank or your mortgage advisor to do the calculations for you, or use this tool here. You might also want to look at a mortgage holiday, but just be aware that this will increase the loan,^ but it will buy you some time, so in the big picture, may be worth it. We suggest you only do this if you really need to. Please see this detailed page with info about mortgage holidays, including links for all the major banks to apply for one. See also our blog post with 4 options for your mortgage to improve cash-flow right now 2. INTEREST RATES: Check with your bank re break fees on your loans, and look at whether the math adds up to break and renegotiate one or some loans at lower interest rates. 3. RENTS: Rent increases are worth considering, as you can now only increase the rent once a year. 4. PAYMENTS: Of course, cash-flow is king, and in this environment, we suggest asking your suppliers if you can start paying in smaller regular installments, rather than bigger sums. This will help reduce the impact of having less cash coming in. EpsomTax.com group offer interest-free time payment plans to all customers as a matter of course; please contact us to arrange this now. 5. INVESTING: This might also be the time to look out for housing bargains - see this article about timing and buying. If you can get a good deal on a cash-flow positive rental, that's going to introduce some $ into your portfolio. Heads-up: Banks are deluged with lending applications, so getting mortgage approval is slow 6. OTHER RESOURCES: Xero.com have provided a page with links to educational content. You don't have to be a Xero user to access all of it. Webinars include managing stress, resilience, business continuity and so on. What good news is there for the coming weeks and months, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy? Government policy changes include:
* The wage subsidy and leave payments are NOT subject to GST - an Order in Council was passed to treat it as exempt (Section 5(6E)(B)(iii GST Act). The wage subsidy paid to the employer is not taxable; it is excluded income under section CX 47 of the Income Tax Act 2007; it is also therefore not deductible when paid by the employer as part of wages to employees. The payments made to employees are taxable for the employee and subject to PAYE, KiwiSaver deductions, Student loan etc in normal way. The same is true for self-employed persons: it is taxable income. NB: you only need to show a 30% revenue reduction for a single 4-week period to receive the full 12-week lump sum; you should be able to show that you took active steps to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19, which could include drawing from your cash reserves (as appropriate), activating your business continuity plan, making an insurance claim, proactively engaging with your bank or seeking advice and support from either the Chamber of Commerce, a relevant industry association or the Regional Business Partner programme. ^ How it works is that the principal payments temporarily stop and the interest is added to the mortgage |
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