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What is income tax?

Why do you pay income tax?

When and how do you pay income tax?

How much income tax do you pay?

What if you don't pay the right amount of income tax?

Nominated person

Glossary

 

Why do you pay income tax?

Inland Revenue collects taxes on behalf of the government.

Everyone who earns money in New Zealand must pay their share of tax. The government uses taxpayers' money to pay for services we all need - such as healthcare, eduction and roads to environmental protection and recreation.

Here's how the government spent our taxes in 2009-10

A graph showing how the government spent our taxes in 2009-10.

Larger version of image

If people don't pay their fair share, everyone misses out.

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For more info on government services go to newzealand.govt.nz

© Copyright 2011 Inland Revenue


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