HARDSHIP CLAUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 82, 17 January 1930, Page 3

HARDSHIP CLAUSE

SUPER LAND TAX.

ESTIMATES NEAR TO ACTUAL FIGURES.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 16. The'Hon. G. \V. Forbes (Minister of Lands and Agriculture), who, as acting leader of the House toward the end of last session was in charge of the Land and Income Tax legislation, was able to give definite information to a Press reporter regarding the muchdiscussed question of hardship in relation to special land tax. The Minister stated that he was informed by the Commissioner of Taxes that 587 taxpayers have made application- to receive consideration under the hardship clause. Of these 347 are located in Canterbury. '

The Commission commenced its sittings on December 16. The objectors were advised of the nature of the evidence required, and the Commission adjourned in December until January 1&

No final decisions have yet been made. An opportunity will be given to objectors to be heard in person in cases where the taxpayer considers he had not been granted sufficient relief on the documentary evidence submitted to the Commission.

Present indications are that the Commission will sit in the main centres of both Islands to take oral evidence. Mr Forbes added: "As considerable doubt was cast upon the Tax Department's estimates regarding the comparatively limited, number of landowners likely .to ibe affected, by the change in mOrtglige exemption from the £IO,OOO maximum, it is interesting to compare those estimates with the actual figures now available. The number estimated as likely to be affected by the change in exemption was 1800! The actual number affected is 1890. The estimated additional revenue was £25,000, the actual revenue is £24,000. The estimated number affected by the special land tax was 1450 while' the revenue, estimated at £300,000,. is actually £315,000.