Congratulations to "Parents As Partners" - for their TV3 news interview this week. Christine Reymer (Spokesperson) has been a tireless campaigner for Income Splitting over many years. We have set up a link to the TV3 clip from our blog. We encourage you to take a look - esp if you have broadband.
Well done Christine!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Income Splitting Moves Step Closer
Income Splitting Moves Step Closer
Monday, 28 April 2008, 9:55 am
Press Release: Parents Choice '08
Parenting lobby group – Parents’ Choice – welcomed the release of a Discussion Paper on Income Splitting by Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne.
“Parents’ Choice welcomes the release of this document as another move towards the introduction of Income Splitting and recognition of the work of “at home parents” said Chairman, Roger Ellis.
“Income Splitting is the missing element in New Zealand’s tax system. It provides greater fairness for families who would like to have increased flexibility so that at least one parent can spend more time with the children” said Mr Ellis.
“New Zealand has failed to keep pace with recognising the value of at home parenting. More than a dozen OECD countries allow some form of joint tax assessment. New Zealand needs to catch up with the more progressive countries that recognise the value of parenting and allow parents the freedom to choose how they will parent” said Mr Ellis.
The advantages of income splitting go beyond the purely financial. Creating a level playing field for parents to choose whether they wish to be at home with the children, or return to work, could have substantial benefits for children and for society in general. Attachment between child and adult, especially during the first five years, is believed to be vitally important in terms of a child’s development. These factors should also be considered when deciding whether to introduce income splitting.
Parents’ Choice will be canvassing supporters and providing a submission on income splitting. We urge all other parenting groups to make their views known on this very important aspect of tax reform.
Submissions close on June 30th and can be sent to the IRD Deputy Commissioner. The IRD Discussion Document can be found online at:
http://www.taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz/publications/files/incomesplittingdd.pdf
The Parents Choice blog can be found at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
Monday, 28 April 2008, 9:55 am
Press Release: Parents Choice '08
Parenting lobby group – Parents’ Choice – welcomed the release of a Discussion Paper on Income Splitting by Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne.
“Parents’ Choice welcomes the release of this document as another move towards the introduction of Income Splitting and recognition of the work of “at home parents” said Chairman, Roger Ellis.
“Income Splitting is the missing element in New Zealand’s tax system. It provides greater fairness for families who would like to have increased flexibility so that at least one parent can spend more time with the children” said Mr Ellis.
“New Zealand has failed to keep pace with recognising the value of at home parenting. More than a dozen OECD countries allow some form of joint tax assessment. New Zealand needs to catch up with the more progressive countries that recognise the value of parenting and allow parents the freedom to choose how they will parent” said Mr Ellis.
The advantages of income splitting go beyond the purely financial. Creating a level playing field for parents to choose whether they wish to be at home with the children, or return to work, could have substantial benefits for children and for society in general. Attachment between child and adult, especially during the first five years, is believed to be vitally important in terms of a child’s development. These factors should also be considered when deciding whether to introduce income splitting.
Parents’ Choice will be canvassing supporters and providing a submission on income splitting. We urge all other parenting groups to make their views known on this very important aspect of tax reform.
Submissions close on June 30th and can be sent to the IRD Deputy Commissioner. The IRD Discussion Document can be found online at:
http://www.taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz/publications/files/incomesplittingdd.pdf
The Parents Choice blog can be found at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Income Splitting Moves A Step Closer This Month
Income Splitting moves a step closer to implementation this month with the public release of a Discussion Paper by the Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne.
Income Splitting is a way for parents to split their combined incomes so that they collectively pay less tax. It is also a way for governments to give recognition to the role of at home parents. If Income Splitting is to win sufficient support in parliament then we need to have as many parents as possible write to their local MPs asking them to support income splitting.
Parents' Choice 08 encourages parents who believe in the value of parenting to also write to the Minister of Revenue and ask for a free copy of the Discussion Paper when it is released. Postage is free. Just write to : Hon Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Parents could use a tax cut too
This week the government cut the company tax rate to 30 per cent - down from 33 per cent.
“Reducing the company tax rate will allow successful businesses to re-invest a greater share of their profits in new technologies and in further building-up the skill base of employees,” Minister of Finance, Dr Cullen said.
“We expect that lowering of the company tax rate will serve to strengthen the competitiveness of New Zealand-based companies, and that is good for the long-term interests of all New Zealanders,” Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne said.
The cut to the company tax rate to 30 per cent is the first time the company tax rate has been reduced in New Zealand since 1988.
Dr Cullen said that the latest initiative is part of the Labour-led government’s economic transformation package that includes the significant moves on depreciation and other business tax measures announced in 2005, tax credits for R&D and changes to the tax treatment of savings vehicles.
It's good to see that many small and medium sized businesses will get some relief through lower taxes. But what about families relying on one main income? Parents Choice is writing to the various political parties urging them to give greater recognition to the plight of two parent families and to allow income splitting for tax purposes.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Support growing for Income Splitting
We have received a tremendous response to our campaign for parenting to be given greater recognition by government. Supporters from across New Zealand - Northland, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and the South island have emailed to indicate their support for Parents Choice and to wish us well with the campaign.
We have been asked many questions several times so I thought it would be helpful to cover off a few of them here.
We are not tied to any political party - we are independent. We hope to persuade a range of parties to support Income Splitting at the next election. At the moment only one parliamentary party has indicated its support for Income Splitting and that is United Future. We will be approaching representatives of the other political parties to ask them for their views and to see if they will consider Income Splitting as part of their election year platform.
Supporters have also asked how they can help. Apart from emailing us at parentschoice08@gmail.com and letting us know you support the campaign the next thing to do would be to write to the Minister of Revenue, Hon Peter Dunne MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington to let him know you support Income Splitting and want to see progress this year.
Other actions that could be taken are to right to your local MP or your local paper, or promote Parents Choice among other parents. We are also considering launching a petition. If you would be keen to help collect signatures then please let us know and we will be in touch.
We have been asked many questions several times so I thought it would be helpful to cover off a few of them here.
We are not tied to any political party - we are independent. We hope to persuade a range of parties to support Income Splitting at the next election. At the moment only one parliamentary party has indicated its support for Income Splitting and that is United Future. We will be approaching representatives of the other political parties to ask them for their views and to see if they will consider Income Splitting as part of their election year platform.
Supporters have also asked how they can help. Apart from emailing us at parentschoice08@gmail.com and letting us know you support the campaign the next thing to do would be to write to the Minister of Revenue, Hon Peter Dunne MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington to let him know you support Income Splitting and want to see progress this year.
Other actions that could be taken are to right to your local MP or your local paper, or promote Parents Choice among other parents. We are also considering launching a petition. If you would be keen to help collect signatures then please let us know and we will be in touch.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Income Splitting - An Idea Whose Time Has Come
During the last two weeks Parents Choice has received a significant number of emails and comments from people supporting income splitting and from news media interested in the campaign. The tide is coming in and support is rising for income splitting.
In the past 14 days alone various media including "Norwester", "Challenge Weekly", "Shine TV", "Scoop", and overseas websites have all published articles and news reports about the Parents Choice campaign for income splitting. We have had expressions of support from Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Waikenae, Lower Hutt, Wellington, and Christchurch. It has been amazing to see the widespread interest in a policy change that will show New Zealand values families and the investment of time and effort in raising children.
Please pass on the contact details to friends and relatives who might be interested in indicating their support for income splitting. We need the campaign to continue to gather momentum during March so that by the time the Government's Discussion Paper is relased there is already a strong movement for change. Email parentschoice08@gmail.com and show your support today. United Future has already pledged its support for Income Splitting. We believe that over the next few months National, Labour and other parties will also see the need to signal their support for the hundreds of thousands of full time parents who are busy investing in the next generation.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
New Parents Group Wants Income Splitting
Media Statement
Saturday 9 February 2008
New Group Wants Income Splitting For Parents
A new lobby group – Parents Choice '08 – has today announced that it will campaign this election year for tax reform to allow parents to split their incomes for tax purposes thereby recognising the contribution of the "at home" parent.
"Parents want their role to be recognised by society. They are tired of being undervalued simply because they work with children at home" says Parents Choice Chairman, Roger Ellis.
"Income Splitting would allow a parent at home to share their partner's income for tax purposes. This means that a parent earning $60,000 per year could split the income with their partner so that each was taxed on $30,000. This could save the couple up to $123 per fortnight in tax" said Mr Ellis.
"We should not underestimate the importance of children bonding with parents – especially during the early years of development. Families today are being taxed without any recognition of the contributions made by at home parents. If Income Splitting were introduced it would restore some measure of value to at home parenting" said Mr Ellis.
"The pressures pushing both parents to hurriedly rejoin the workforce need to be relieved. Our labour force participation rates are already among the highest in the OECD. Better economic performance will come from higher productivity and improved social cohesion. Income splitting could help make the difference for many families. Families choosing to look after their own children at home should be free to make their own choice as to when they rejoin the workforce. Income Splitting will help them do that" said Mr Ellis.
Parents can show their support for Parents Choice by emailing: parentschoice08@gmail.com or comment via the blog at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
For information:
Roger Ellis, Chairman, Parents Choice '08
ph: 021 526 264
email: parentschoice08@gmail.com
www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
Saturday 9 February 2008
New Group Wants Income Splitting For Parents
A new lobby group – Parents Choice '08 – has today announced that it will campaign this election year for tax reform to allow parents to split their incomes for tax purposes thereby recognising the contribution of the "at home" parent.
"Parents want their role to be recognised by society. They are tired of being undervalued simply because they work with children at home" says Parents Choice Chairman, Roger Ellis.
"Income Splitting would allow a parent at home to share their partner's income for tax purposes. This means that a parent earning $60,000 per year could split the income with their partner so that each was taxed on $30,000. This could save the couple up to $123 per fortnight in tax" said Mr Ellis.
"We should not underestimate the importance of children bonding with parents – especially during the early years of development. Families today are being taxed without any recognition of the contributions made by at home parents. If Income Splitting were introduced it would restore some measure of value to at home parenting" said Mr Ellis.
"The pressures pushing both parents to hurriedly rejoin the workforce need to be relieved. Our labour force participation rates are already among the highest in the OECD. Better economic performance will come from higher productivity and improved social cohesion. Income splitting could help make the difference for many families. Families choosing to look after their own children at home should be free to make their own choice as to when they rejoin the workforce. Income Splitting will help them do that" said Mr Ellis.
Parents can show their support for Parents Choice by emailing: parentschoice08@gmail.com or comment via the blog at www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
ENDS
For information:
Roger Ellis, Chairman, Parents Choice '08
ph: 021 526 264
email: parentschoice08@gmail.com
www.parentschoice08.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
