“New build” residential property interest deductions rule clarified as new tax rules are set to apply from this Friday

The Government proposed changes to the rules that allowed property owners to claim interest on loans used for residential properties as an expense against their income from those properties. These rules are set to take effect in just three days, on 1 October 2021.

When the policy was announced back in March, the Government explained that interest deductions will not be available on residential investment property acquired on or after 27 March 2021, but there would be exemptions for “new build” homes.  However, no further details on the exemptions were available – until today.  

This morning, Revenue Minister Parker proposed changes that clarify that a home stays “new” for for 20 years after it has received its code compliance certificate. This means that home owners will be able to buy and sell “new” homes and keep the exemption status.  

However, this may not be the end.  Housing Minister Megan Woods said that the new build exemption also applied to purpose-built rentals, but suggested she might look at changing the rules further (NZ Herald).  While the government says that these new rules have been consulted on, National Party shadow treasurer Andrew Bayly has called it “last-minute” (Stuff).

The finer detail of the proposal is contained in new subpart DH set out in the Supplementary Order Paper proposing changes to the unassumingly-named Taxation (Annual Rates for2021-22, GST, and Remedial Matters) Bill, and will be considered by the  Finance and Expenditure select committee (Beehive).