OECD’s Annual Revenue Statistics – Global Tax

New Zealand is listed as one of the heaviest taxing countries in the OECD’s annual revenue statistics report, which covers the OECD countries. Of New Zealand’s tax revenues, 59.6% are collected from individuals and corporates, second only to Denmark (59%)....

Expatriation and Social Security

We are frequently asked about Social Security when a US citizen gives up citizenship. For non-residents of the United States, Social Security will be stopped after six months of absence. Social Security Administration (SSA) will reinstate payments once an individual...

Taxation of pensions from government service

Article 19 of the income tax treaty in force between New Zealand and the United States sets out which country gets taxing rights to pensions from government service. Not to be confused with social security benefits, which are only taxable in the source country (New...

Social Security Tax Break Ending

No sweetener to the current fiscal cliff crisis, the Social Security Tax temporary reduction of 6.2% to 4.2% ends today. This tax cut is a cut in United States payroll taxes, it was applicable for two years, 2011 and 2012 in an effort to stimulate the economy. The tax...

Fiscal Cliff Crisis – the impact

Most of New Zealand is on holiday this week so the last thing they are watching with bated breath is the unfolding developments with the fiscal cliff. That is unless they are US expats with substantial income or investments, residing or holidaying here. The corollary...