Significant initiatives (2023)

The following table outlines where to find more information on Budget significant initiatives from the last three Budgets.

Name of initiative	Budget year first funded	Location of information
$25 per week permanent increase to welfare benefits from 1 April 2020	2021	The flow-on increase in source deductions (PAYE) revenue is incorporated into the Schedule of Non-Departmental Revenue here. Schedule of Non-Departmental Revenue
Expansion of immediate expensing for low value assets	2021	Information on depreciation is not captured at this level of detail due to compliance cost impacts on customers. The threshold change was temporary.
Increasing the threshold for provisional tax	2021	Information on the number of provisional taxpayers and total amount of provisional tax paid annually can be found at 2023 responses to OIA requests
In-Work Tax Credit removing the hours test	2021	Information on in-work tax credits can be found at 2022 responses to OIA requests
Reinstatement of depreciation deductions for commercial and industrial buildings	2021	Information on depreciation is not captured at this level of detail due to compliance cost impacts on customers.
COVID-19 payments (includes COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payments and COVID-19 Support Payments)	2022 and 2023	COVID-19 Support Payment statistics (ird.govt.nz) Resurgence Support Payment disbursements statistics (ird.govt.nz) Pages 30 to 32, 55 and 120 of the 2022 Annual Report Financial information on these payments is reported in the Statement of Non-Departmental Budgeted and Actual Expenditure Incurred Against Appropriations table: COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment appropriation and COVID-19 Support Payment appropriation (2021 and 2022 annual report).
Ensuring the tax system is operating fairly	2022	Information and a report on the research project to find out more about how much tax is paid by New Zealand’s high-wealth individuals relative to their economic income can be found on our website. High-wealth individuals research project (ird.govt.nz)
Main Benefit Rate Increase and Complementary Changes for New Zealanders Receiving a Main Benefit	2022	The flow-on impact is incorporated into the Schedule of Non-Departmental Revenue here. Schedule of Non-Departmental Revenue
Main Benefit Rate Increase and Complementary Changes to Student Support (1 April 2022)	2022	This initiative impacts on the Minimum Family Tax Credit PLA and Initial Fair Value Write-Down Relating to Student Loans appropriations, which are included in the Statement of Non-Departmental Budgeted and Actual Expenditure Incurred Against Appropriations here. Information on the broader Student Loan Scheme can be found in the Student Loan Scheme Annual Report: Student Loan Scheme Annual Reports
Providing Transitional Support to R&D Performing Businesses	2022	Performance information will be reported in the 2024 Annual Report. Within the Research, Science and Innovation: R&D Tax Incentive appropriation, a report is required as soon as is practical after the end of the 2023-24 tax year and every 5 years after that.
Retaining capability to support the Government's response to COVID-19	2022	Performance information relating to this initiative is integrated within existing Te Tari Taake, Inland Revenue performance measures. There were no new or amended performance measures for this initiative.
Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme	2022	Financial information on these payments is reported in the Statement of Non-Departmental Budgeted and Actual Expenditure Incurred Against Appropriations table: Small Business Cashflow Scheme COVID-19 appropriation (capital expenditure), Impairment of Debt Relating to the SBCS appropriation (other expenses) and Initial Fair Value Write-Down Relating to the Small Business Cashflow Scheme COVID-19 appropriation (other expenses) (from the 2021 Annual Report onwards). Additional financial and impairment information on these appropriations is included in the notes to the Financial Schedules Non-Departmental in the Annual Report (2022 Annual Report, note 2 and note 6).
Cost of Living Payments	2023	Cost of Living Payment statistics (ird.govt.nz) Information release - Cost of Living Payment (ird.govt.nz) Financial information on this payment is reported in the Statement of Non-Departmental Budgeted and Actual Expenditure Incurred Against Appropriations table: Cost of Living Payment appropriation' (2023 Annual Report).
Passing on Child Support payments to sole parent beneficiaries	2023	See this page. Extra cash in hand for sole parents
Research and Development Tax Incentive administration costs	2023	This initiative provides ongoing funding for Te Tare Taake Inland Revenue’s role in this tax credit. The performance of this scheme will form part of the evaluation specified in section LY 10 of the Taxation (Research and Development Tax Credit) Act 2019
Responding to COVID‑19 demand and maintaining capability and integrity	2023	Performance information relating to this initiative is integrated within existing Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue performance measures. There were no new or amended performance measures for this initiative.
Substantive closure of Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue's transformation programme	2023	This initiative finalises the return of funding at the closure of Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue’s transformation programme. Information about the programme is available on our website. Business Transformation The Final Programme Business Case Addendum, March 2022 is available on our website. FINAL Programme Business Case Addendum 2021-22

Note: Significant initiatives included relate to new policy initiatives included in Vote Revenue Estimates of Appropriations for 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23. New policy initiatives that are technical in nature, or where funding is not considered material, have not been included.