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Revenue Minister Todd McClay has said that more time will be given to prepare for the introduction of reforms to the child support scheme.

The Government is calling for submissions to update and help shape its National Drug Policy, Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay announced today.

The National Drug Policy aims to minimise the harm caused by tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs by setting out coordinated and consistent action for government agencies and community groups to address the harm these substances can cause.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the findings from recent health research that hazardous drinking among young people is on the decrease.

The figures, contained in data released by the Ministry of Health from the New Zealand Health Survey 2012/13, showed a reduction in hazardous drinking by young people from 35 per cent in 2006/07 to 25 per cent in 2011/12.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay announced today that New Zealand Company Assurity Consulting Limited has been awarded a contract worth up to $30 million as part of the Business Transformation process. Assurity will be the preferred testing provider resulting from an open tender by Inland Revenue on the Government electronic Tender Service website.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay today released the sixth KiwiSaver evaluation annual report which showed continued steady growth for the retirement scheme in the 2012-13 year.

“The number of people enrolled in KiwiSaver had reached 2.15 million members by the end of June this year, and it is especially pleasing to see that there was continued growth in membership across the population groups. Over half of the eligible population are now members and this included 72 per cent of 18 to 25 year olds”, says Mr McClay.

The Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill has passed its First Reading. This omnibus tax bill proposes changes to bring greater clarity to the tax rules and fairness to businesses and other taxpayers.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay said the measures in this bill support the Government’s goal of establishing a well-targeted, responsive and efficient tax system, which is essential to New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity.

“Labour Revenue spokesman David Clark has issued possibly the worst press release in 50 years,” says Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

“David Clark’s overcooked and scattergun media statement today about supposed IT failings at Inland Revenue speaks volumes about his superficial understanding of Revenue issues”.

“He claims ‘the publication of inland Revenue’s annual performance measures is already one week overdue’.

“Wrong.

“It’s becoming ever harder to avoid or evade tax” Revenue Minister Todd McClay said today announcing that New Zealand has now taken the final procedural step for ratification of the multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

Associate Minister of Health Todd McClay welcomed the passing of the Medicines Amendment Bill 2011. The Bill streamlines the current Medicines Act 1981 and is an interim measure until such time as the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill is passed.

“This government is dedicated to improving and enhancing access to health services and removing unnecessary red tape while ensuring patient safety, and this new law works to that end,” says Mr McClay.

Measures to clarify the tax treatment of certain employee allowances and reimbursements included in a tax bill introduced to Parliament today will be welcome news for employers and employees involved in Canterbury earthquake recovery work, say Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

An omnibus tax bill introduced today by Revenue Minister Todd McClay proposes changes to bring greater clarity to the tax rules and make them easier for businesses and other taxpayers to understand and comply with.

Mr McClay said the principal measures proposed in the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill are the result of earlier consultation with businesses and other taxpayers, and are aimed at fine-tuning the tax system so that it remains fit for purpose.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has extended his congratulations to the New Zealand Formulary team ahead of today’s launch of the New Zealand Formulary for Children.

The Children’s Formulary website was officially launched today by Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills at the 65th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand in Dunedin.

The Government will introduce legislation to Parliament to give community housing providers and donors certainty that assisting low-income families into home ownership will be exempt from income tax.

“The Government is committed to supporting as many kiwi families as possible to achieve the goal of owning their own home. This tax change is about supporting organisations like Habitat for Humanity who help low-income families buy a house through rent-to-buy or similar home ownership products,” Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith says.

Minister of Revenue Todd McClay announced the release today of an Inland Revenue tax policy officials’ paper which seeks public feedback on the minimum financial reporting requirements that should apply for most companies. 

The Government is to include changes to the tax treatment of employee allowances, reimbursements and employer-provided accommodation in a tax bill to be introduced to Parliament later this month that will bring clarity for many taxpayers.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay said today that a decision by Cabinet to include changes to the Income Tax Act as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Bill will also minimise compliance and administration costs for many businesses and organisations.

The Government’s tax policy work programme, which outlines the Government’s focus for tax reform and development until the end of 2014, was announced today by Revenue Minister Todd McClay.

Speaking at the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants’ tax conference in Auckland, Mr McClay said tax policy development work ahead would be focussed on supporting the Government’s economic priorities for growth and productivity, and delivering better public services.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Revenue Minister Todd McClay today released a Government consultation document, Black hole R&D expenditure, which seeks feedback on proposals to resolve problems around the tax deductibility of certain types of business-related research and development expenditure.

Associate Health Minister Hon Todd McClay has launched an 0800 Psychoactive Substance Hotline to help the public report concerns about psychoactive substances in their community.

The Psychoactive Substance Hotline number is 0800 789 652

Mr McClay said that community reporting had already led to legal high shops being closed and individuals being prosecuted where they had contravened the Psychoactive Substances Act.

In welcoming today’s launch of Inland Revenue’s Compliance Focus, Revenue Minister Todd McClay said that it is important for a strong economy that businesses, large and small, continue to receive the help they need to get it right.

An Inland Revenue report released today by Revenue Minister Todd McClay strongly endorses measures outlined in an OECD action plan dealing with the taxation of multinational companies in relation to base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) concerns among OECD member countries. 

Revenue Minister Todd McClay today announced that from 1 April next year, low-income working families who are eligible for the minimum family tax credit will receive an increase.

“The minimum family tax credit currently ensures that families who work the minimum number of hours and who are not receiving a benefit will have an after-tax income of $22,724 a year. This will rise to $22,776 a year from 1 April 2014,” says Mr McClay.

Associate Health Minister Todd McClay is encouraging people to reach out and connect for Mental Health Awareness Week and today’s World Mental Health Day.

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, which started Monday 7 October and finishes on Friday 11 October is CONNECT.

“Supportive friends, families whānau and communities are an integral component of good mental health. It is a responsibility that falls on all of us to connect with those around us and ensure that they are supported,” says Mr McClay.

Revenue Minister Todd McClay has welcomed the start of the formal Expression of Interest process of Inland Revenue’s Transformation programme.

“This is the next step in transforming Inland Revenue into a more user-friendly agency that will allow New Zealanders to simply and efficiently manage their interactions through online services,” says Mr McClay.

The announcement today by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority that it has suspended or refused licenses to sell approved psychoactive substances by retailers in Dunedin and Hawera has been welcomed by Associate Health Minister Todd McClay. In addition, a retailer in Stoke has agreed to surrender their licence following discussions with the Authority.