Infographic: A small business guide to the NZ economic stimulus package

Here’s what you need to know about the economic stimulus package.
Updated: 27 March 2020
As governments across the world move to support their countries’ economies by pumping funds into them, New Zealand’s response has emerged among the most generous.
More than $12 billion has been pledged, or around 4% of annual GPD. Almost three-quarters of the funds are earmarked to support business and jobs, in two key ways: wage subsidies and tax relief.
Wage subsidies
The wage subsidies are aimed at any employers significantly impacted by COVID-19 and struggling to keep staff on as a result, as well as self-employed and sole traders.
The subsidy is worth $585.80 a week for a full-time employee or $350 for a part-time employee, paid as a lump sum covering 12 weeks. There is no cap on the amount paid to employers.
For example, if a Queenstown tourism operator with 20 permanent part-time employees saw a significant drop in forward bookings because of the travel ban, they could apply for the subsidy and receive up to $84,000 (20 part-time employees at $350 a week multiplied by 12 weeks).
Those funds would then be used to pay those employees for the next three months.
Tax relief
The has also been an increase in the threshold for an immediate deduction on asset purchases, an increase in the provisional tax threshold and a waiver on late tax payments.
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The information on this website is provided for general information only and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice from financial, legal and taxation advisors. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information as at the date of publication, Prospa, its officers, employees and agents disclaim all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded), for any error, inaccuracy, or omission from the information for any reason, including due to the passage of time, or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.
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