Volunteering NZ Seeks To Improve Tax Benefits For Volunteers
Volunteering New Zealand made a submission to the Tax Working Group (on 30 April 2018) regarding making changes to the tax system to benefit volunteers and volunteering. A key
recommendation is to give real consideration to the implementation of a ‘Volunteer Tax Rebate’.
The Tax Working Group look at ways to improve the fairness, balance and structure of the tax system in New Zealand over
the next ten years and called for submissions for their interim report, which will be presented to Ministers in
September 2018. In February 2019 the TWG will submit its final recommendations to the Government. It was therefore of
high importance for VNZ, and its members to review and respond to this opportunity.
"Volunteers make a significant contribution to the well-being of our society, and we would be keen to see government
formally recognise this contribution in the form of some kind of tax concession specifically for volunteers, similar to
concessions granted to charities more generally. It's important that our tax system reflects the fact that not only is
volunteering a key contributor towards the culture of community in New Zealand, but to the economy as well."
- Scott Miller, Chief Executive at Volunteering New Zealand.
Miller adds that this submission has been an excellent opportunity to signal to the government that further analysis of a volunteer tax rebate is
warranted. “We would not support it if the costs to charitable and community organisations outweighed the benefits to
the volunteering sector” noted Miller.