Tax revenues down
Stuff reported:
Worsening budget deficits raise serious questions about National’s management of the economy and its books, Labour finance spokesman David Parker says.
He was speaking after Treasury today reported that the Budget deficit had continued to worsen. A lower tax take had pushed the books into the red by $1.4 billion, $884 million more than expected.
Parker said for four months in a row the books were worse than predicted, with tax revenues falling short of expectations.
“For the November and December figures Treasury said there were timing issues. They were given a bit of leeway. But now even Treasury admits it doesn’t know why the books are even more in the red.
“Somehow (Finance Minister) Bill English is presiding over a growing economy but not getting the tax revenue that should be coming with it. He needs to explain himself.”
Tax revenues are notoriously difficult to project. Even an individual company can easily find its profit will vary from forecast by 10% to 20%. The Government’s tax revenues are based on projecting the combined profits and hence tax payments of several hundred thousand companies. And that’s just on an annual basis – let alone on the monthly forecasts.
Employers may be hiring extra staff which reduces profitability and tax in the short-term. They may be purchasing assets which increases depreciation.
Or it may be that heightened business confidence and economic growth is not actually being reflected in profitability and tax for structural reasons – which would be more of a concern.
English said the figures reinforced the need for restraint in government spending.
“We remain committed to reaching a surplus next year and Budget forecasts next month will confirm we are on track,” he said.
“It is a challenging task that will be achieved only if we remain disciplined.”
Yep. The Government has limited control over how much tax is paid to it by the private sector. It does however control how much money the Government will spend. Hence the constant need for fiscal discipline.