jim barley #37 Average tax paid by Dairy farmers as reported by the IRD for 2008/9 was $1500.

There's alot wrong when you can "re-organise" your affairs and avoid $130mil in taxes. No change to income - no change to expenses just shuffling stuff between trusts...

Stu #39 - you are either a lier or a fool. That road you drive on? That education you got? that health care you have had and have access to right now? etc etc etc... give me a break.

and Matt - the law has very little to do with morality. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. But don't let Greece and co show what happens when "avoiding taxes" becomes a national pastime.

Surely no one is dumb enough to actually want to pay ANY tax?

We pay the minimum we must. Personally I get SFA in return to be honest so I don't cry if I get a chance to slip a few hundy in the back pocket.

Good Bill # 10 - you paid your way - hopefully you have continued paying your way in full (dispite the plethora of immoral loopholes open to you - which I am sure most of your mates have fully exploited.)

@AKka #34 - so you're paying, what, 70k tax every fortnight?

Either that or you don't know what you're talking about.....

Its not so much the cash jobs on the side that elude tax. It is in many different areas as well . Most successfull people pay very little tax , they dodge it legaly all they need is a good accountant . The main area where i see the biggest loss of tax is in property . Unregulated compared to other countries has led to speculation in the property mkt. The govts of the day have lost billions over the last few decades . A simple stamp duty payment on all property transactions is all that is needed . As they do in Oz . The main reason Nz homes are way overpriced for what they are is driven by speculators .A staggering 80% of Nz homes are deemed unfit for the Nz climate , very unhealthy and the cause of numerous health issues . Hot & stuffy in summer . cold ,damp draughty & mildewy in winter . Yet they still fetch ridiculous prices more than double there true worth . A stamp duty would stem the speculators and result in much cheaper homes . And a big win for the gvt and the needy people of Nz . You wonder why there is a huge inbalance in the Nz economy this is just one of a long list of reasons .

Tracey#24 - not sure that one is very well thought out. It would lead to companies/businesses not being able to afford to pay staff as much, as they would've paid 28% (in the case of a company) away as tax. Net margins may not be able to handle it.

I pay more tax a fortnight than your average dairy farm does in a year, I also use less water and don't shit around waterways.

By crikey, there are some angry people out there. Simple answer is - if there is a gap in the system - then clode it! All cash transactions, either a withdrawl over the counter or by ATM then tax that account holder 1%; all cash deposits, tax the account it goes in by 1%. Result is revenue (for the government/tax payer).

Bill #10

The 66c tax rate is largely a myth. It was in place for less than 3 years (Mid 1982 until Early 1985) and less than 5% of the population paid it as it was only applied to very high incomes over $150k (in today's dollars). Whereas nowadays everyone who partakes in tertiary study has to pay for it, and student loans can last for decades or even lifetimes.