21 July 2003 Media Statement
GST law on payments to local authorities to be clarified
The government will introduce legislation to clarify GST law in relation to certain payments imposed by local
authorities under the Resource Management Act, Revenue Minister Michael Cullen announced today.
“Local authorities may seek financial contributions from applicants for resource consent if, for example, development
work such as a new subdivision requires them to provide additional new infrastructure under their district plan,” Dr
Cullen said.
“These financial contributions should be subject to GST, in the same way that resource consent applications fees are.
Although most local authorities have treated financial contributions in this way, the law on this point is not entirely
clear. The proposed legislation will clarify that they do indeed attract GST, an amendment that will apply from 1
October, 1991.
“The amendment will not apply to local authorities that have not charged GST on financial contributions of this kind
before the date of enactment.
“Similar clarifications will also ensure that development contributions under the Local Government Act are subject to
GST, and that late payment penalties imposed by local authorities under the Local Government (Rating) Act are exempt
from GST, both with effect from 1 July, 2003.
The government will ask Parliament to include these GST changes in the taxation bill that was recently introduced into
the House,” Dr Cullen said.
ENDS