17 Nov 2015

GST move a half measure - Booksellers NZ

12:21 pm on 17 November 2015

The Government's proposed extension of GST will do nothing to help small businesses according to Booksellers New Zealand.

Legislation has been introduced requiring media giants such as Apple, Netflix and Amazon to collect tax on orders from New Zealanders.

The law will apply only to digital products, and does not cover physical product bought online from overseas, which still arrives tax-free.

Booksellers New Zealand chief executive Lincoln Gould said he was bewildered that the Government was taking only half-measures that would not help local retailers.

"We have long proposed that the government adopt the same measures as OECD for the same issues with intangible and digital services, and that is require companies to register for GST.