The plaintiff companies challenged the Commissioner’s decision not to direct them to account for GST on the invoice accounting basis under s 19A(2) of the Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 (GSTA).
The liquidator said he was required, under s 53(1)(cb) of the GSTA, to notify the Commissioner that the plaintiff companies had ceased to satisfy the requirements for payments basis and the Commissioner must therefore direct the companies to account for GST on an invoice basis.
The High Court held that s 19(3B) of the GSTA overrides or precludes the Commissioner frombeing required to give a direction under s 19A(2) and that the Commissioner must be satisfied at the time of notification that a registered person has ceased to satisfy the conditions in s 19A(1).
CSUM 26/12 Taxpayer required to pay GST on insurance sum
Mainzeal [MZ} received funds from an insurer [QBE] for damage caused by four of MZ’s directors. The CIR considered the payment was subject to GST under s 5(13) GSTA because it was paid in relation “to a loss incurred in the course or furtherance of [MZ’s] taxable activity”. MZ argued it was not because the payment was not received “under a contract of insurance”.
The High Court considered the legislative history of s 5(13) GSTA to conclude MZ did receive the payment in relation “to a loss incurred in the course or furtherance of [MZ’s] taxable activity” and that it was subject to GST.
TDS 26/18 Income tax – proceeds of sale
This item summarises a private ruling that considered whether the proceeds from an insurance company’s sale of properties are income to the company.
Volume 38 No 9 Tax Information Bulletin - October 2026
The Tax Information Bulletin is a monthly publication which contains information about changes to tax-related legislation, proposed legislation, judgments, rulings and other specialist tax topics including many of the publication-types.
Standard costs for home-based services
Home-based service providers meeting certain criteria can choose to use standard costs instead of their actual expenses when calculating their taxable income. Inland Revenue reviews the standard costs annually for movements in the Consumers Price Index.
TDS 26/17 Restructure and use of losses
This item summarises a private ruling that considered the transfer of assets between group companies as part of a restructure and the carry forward and use of losses of the recipient company after the restructure.
TDS 26/16 Complying trust
This item summarises a private ruling about whether a trust was a complying trust under s HC 10(1).
TDS 26/14 Deductibility of forestry expenditure
This item summarises an adjudication about the deductibility of forestry expenditure.
TDS 26/15 GST liability on deregistration
This item summarises an adjudication that considered the GST registration and deregistration of a Taxpayer in the context of property sales.
TDS 26/13 Derivation of holiday pay remedial payments and calculation of terminal tax
This item summarises an adjudication that considered the validity of a taxpayer’s Notice of Proposed Adjustment (NOPA), a PAYE deduction from a remedial payment of holiday pay and the allocation of income and terminal tax for the remedial payment.
| Reference | Title | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| PUB00548 | Can an Active Investor Plus visa holder become tax resident under the permanent place of abode test? | 13 October 2026 |
| PUB00266 | Income Tax – Non-resident software suppliers’ payments derived from New Zealand | 31 October 2026 |
| PUB00533 | Income tax – Depreciation of low-value assets | 20 November 2026 |
| ED0265 | Mutual associations (including clubs and societies) | 11 December 2026 |
Quick links
National average market values of specified livestock
National standard costs for specified livestock
Kilometre rates for the business use of vehicles
Square metre rate for the dual use of premises
Rulings process has changed
From 14 September 2026 the application process for rulings and certain determinations has changed.
Find out what has changed and what you need to do.
Consultations closing soon
Consultation closes: 13 October 2026