Wellington, Oct 7 NZPA - The nation's grapegrowers and winemakers are asking the Government to switch its $145 million collection of alcohol excise from wineries to retailers. "Excise is the major profitability issue on the domestic market," New Zealand Winegrowers said today.

By Paloma Migone of NZPA Wellington, Oct 4 NZPA - More than 30 complaints against businesses using the GST hike as an excuse to ramp up prices have been lodged with the Commerce Commission since the 2.5 percentage point increase kicked-in on Friday.

Wellington, Oct 1 NZPA - All the arguments about the pros and cons of tax cuts and GST rises have been had and now it will be up to households to decide whether they are better off or not. Today the Government's tax package kicked in and GST went up from 12.5 percent to 15 percent.

Wellington, Oct 1 NZPA - As some people count the extra dollars in their pay packets resulting from tax reforms starting today, a union has taken the opportunity to organise a rally at a retail chain against the reforms' GST component.

Wellington, Sept 30 NZPA - When tax reforms are fully implemented, all income groups will broadly receive about the same proportionate increase in disposable income, says Finance Minister Bill English.

There will be immediate gains for most when the Government's tax reform package takes effect tomorrow, but the extent of those gains in the wider scheme of things remains open for debate. Chris Ormond of NZPA reports.

Wellington, Sept 30 NZPA - Examples of how tax changes will affect income earners. General:

Wellington, Sept 27 NZPA - Tax cuts which come into effect on Friday are unfair and will fail to drag New Zealand out of recession, a union economist says. A package of income tax cuts takes effect on Friday and at the same time GST will go from 12.5 to 15 percent.

Wellington, Sept 26 NZPA - Labour is expected to announce tomorrow its $270 million policy for removing Goods and Services Tax (GST) from fresh fruit and vegetables.

By Peter Wilson, NZPA Political Editor Wellington, Sept 26 NZPA - Will you be better off this time next week? The Government says you will, the Labour Party says you won't.

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - A bill that allows parents with dependent children to split their income for tax purposes has passed its first reading in Parliament. United Future leader Peter Dunne, who is Minister of Revenue, introduced the bill which is one of his party's core policies.

Wellington, Sept 21 NZPA - Another tax war broke out in Parliament today and Labour MPs shouted "rubbish" when Prime Minister John Key said the vast majority of people would be better off when the October 1 cuts come in.

Wellington, Sept 21 NZPA - People are being warned to be vigilant as government departments learn of phone and email scammers.

Wellington, Sept 21 NZPA - Another hoax email is circulating, this time offering people a tax refund in exchange for credit card details, Inland Revenue says.

Wellington, Sept 20 NZPA - Government MPs will travel around the country explaining the October 1 tax cuts as the deadline approaches, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, Sept 14 NZPA - Quake-affected Canterbury residents who get behind with tax payments will be able to get the interest waived under special circumstances, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne confirmed today.

Wellington, Sept 8 NZPA - People unable to meet their tax obligations as a result of the Canterbury earthquake may be able to have late payment penalties and interest wiped, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, Sept 8 NZPA - Contact Energy is the latest power company to signal it will increase its prices when GST rises on October 1. The Government is increasing GST to 15 percent, from 12.5 percent, at the same time as cutting personal tax rates.

Wellington, Sept 6 NZPA - A visiting tax expert says goods and services taxes are a kind of privatisation of taxation and meddling governments tend to keep raising such taxes to around 20 percent in many countries.

Wellington, Aug 30 NZPA - The Government is looking at changing the rules around social assistance so people who don't need help don't get it, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says. He has issued a tax policy issues paper and wants feedback on suggested changes.

Wellington, Aug 24 NZPA - Law changes to cut compliance costs around the upcoming GST rate change tax are among "business friendly" changes being made to a key piece of tax legislation, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, Aug 24 NZPA - Ratepayers should only be required to pay 12.5 percent GST on their rates bills for the current year, the Labour Party says.

Wellington, Aug 23 NZPA - Two leading professional directors say the accounting treatment of tax changes in the Government's May budget has distorted company accounts by more than $1 billion and is making them misleading.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Aug 17 NZPA - New Zealand's foreign debt is one of the worst in the world and people have to save more, Prime Minister John Key says.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Aug 17 NZPA - Peter Dunne could have a hard time getting his income-splitting bill enacted because it would cost the Government $450 million a year in lost revenue.

Wellington, Aug 16 NZPA - The Government is reserving judgment on United Future leader Peter Dunne's income-splitting bill and will wait to see how the public reacts to it before deciding whether it should become law.

Wellington, Aug 16 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key is setting out a compelling case for compulsory superannuation and says public opinion has shifted since it was rejected in a 1997 referendum.

Wellington, Aug 16 NZPA - More than 300,000 families will be able to split their income for tax purposes and reduce their liability under legislation announced today by Revenue Minister Peter Dunne.

Wellington, Aug 13 NZPA - A new tax scheme with the potential to save couples with children as much as $9000 a year will be announced on Monday by Revenue Minister Peter Dunne.

Wellington, Aug 11 NZPA - Revenue Minister Peter Dunne wants feedback on suggested changes to the rules around asset depreciation. He said today the review included non-residential building fit-outs, which was announced in the May budget.