Technical tax area: General articles

Review of Public Information Bulletins

To assist taxpayer certainty and compliance, Inland Revenue has commenced a review of Public Information Bulletins (PIBs) and Tax Information Bulletins (TIBs) published prior to 31 December 1995.

PIBs were published regularly by Inland Revenue between September 1963 and July 1989. As tax advisors and some taxpayers will be aware PIBs are dated and often refer to legislation that has been repealed or amended. They also often refer to information that is very general in nature with limited analysis or reasoning to support the views expressed. In addition, the Commissioner's views or reasoning may well have developed or changed significantly since that time. Inland Revenue ceased publishing PIBs from July 1989, and then commenced publication of TIBs. Similar concerns apply to TIBs published between 1989 and December 1995 before a more robust process, including routine external consultation, was introduced. These TIBs will also be part of the review.

Process

The PIBs and TIBs will be systematically reviewed in date order, starting with the oldest publications and working forward to December 1995.

Notification that an item has been reviewed will be made on the Inland Revenue website. However, where an item is still relevant and correct, it will be updated to reflect current legislation (if necessary) and reissued on the Inland Revenue website and in a current TIB.

Any historical legislative commentary contained in PIBs and the identified TIBs will be made publicly accessible as an electronic archive.

During the course of the review, Inland Revenue will consult with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and the New Zealand Law Society. We will also consult with other affected parties as issues arise.

Information on the progress of the review will be available on the Inland Revenue website.

Until the PIB and identified TIB items are reviewed these items should be referenced with some care, and they should not necessarily be taken as the Commissioner's current view of the law or operational practice. Where there is doubt professional advice should be sought.

Any queries regarding this review please contact Craig Robertson, craig.robertson@ird.govt.nz, 09 985 7189.

Other pages in: General articles

• Kiwifruit PSAv issues and effects on growers - information for agents
• Process for tax agents to obtain electronic authorities to act
• Notice - Income tax treatment of unsuccessful software development
• Changes to the disputes resolution process
• Making tax easier - Government consultation June 9 to 23 July 2010
• Guidance on a "reasonable daily travelling distance"
• Protocols between the Solicitor-General and Commissioner of Inland Revenue
• Panel statement RAP 002: Process for resolving potential unintended legislative changes in the Income Tax Act 2007
• Inland Revenue's Public Rulings Unit
• Secondhand goods input tax credits - marine farming licences and leases
• Statement on fringe benefit tax and motor vehicle multi-leases
• Subsidised transport provided by employers to employees - value for fringe benefit tax purposes
• New tax information exchange agreement with the Netherlands on behalf of the Netherlands Antilles
• The Commissioner's Table of Depreciation Rates
• Notice - Income Tax Act 2007
• The Adjudication Unit - its role in the dispute resolution process
• Removal of 5 cent coins from circulation - effect on GST tax invoices
• Summary of unintended legislative change submissions where Rewrite Advisory Panel considered there was no unintended legislative change

Date published: 10 Feb 2011

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