Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

Inland Revenue says it wants to clear up misunderstanding about the effect of proposed changes to fringe benefit tax (FBT), particularly when it comes to double cab utes. There was a warning this week that farmers buying expensive utes at Fieldays could be in for a shock if the FBT rules changed in line with proposals released earlier this year. Federated Farmers has also warned of a "ute tax 2.0".

2 weeks ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

When was the last time you encountered someone working on the forecourt of a service station? We're all used to sorting our own fuel now but there was a time when it wasn't uncommon to have an attendant offer to help. Data compiled by Infometrics looked at the types of jobs that have disappeared over the past 25 years, and service station attendants are near the top of the list, with 77% of their roles, or 5557 individuals, gone.

1 month ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

The arrest of a person arriving at the border last month over unpaid student loan debt is an example of Inland Revenue "making up for lost time," one tax expert says. Inland Revenue said at the end of April there were 113,733 people with student loans believed to be based overseas. More than 70% were in default on their loans, owing $2.3 billion, of which more than $1b is penalties and interest. For about 24,000 of these overseas-based borrowers, the debt is more than 15 years old.

1 month ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

Shoppers are turning away from butter as prices soar - and there's a warning retail prices could get another dollar higher. As global dairy prices have soared, so too has the retail price of butter. Stats NZ recorded the average price of a block of butter in March at $7.33, up 10% from its December level of $6.66. In Woolworths this week, home brand butter was selling for $8.49. The Global Dairy Trade auction price for butter has risen from US$6631/MT in December to US$7992 in the latest auction.

2 months ago | 1news.co.nz | Businessrnz.co.nzBy Susan Edmunds |Susan Edmunds

One property investor says there is pain for some investors in the rental market as listings reach record numbers. Trade Me Property says the number of homes available for rent has reached a level not seen in more than 10 years. There were 41% more rental listings in March than in the same month last year, the highest number since 2014. "I think there's quite a few contributing factors at the moment," said Trade Me Property customer director Gavin Lloyd.