Article

FBT interest rate for low-interest loans decreases

Tax Alert - October 2015

Under New Zealand tax law, a fringe benefit (which may be subject to fringe benefit tax (“FBT”)) will arise where an employer provides a loan to an employee with an interest rate below market rates.  Inland Revenue prescribes a rate of interest for calculating FBT on low-interest, employment rated loans.

The prescribed rate of interest has been reduced from 6.70% to 6.22% by Income Tax (Fringe Benefit Tax, Interest on Loans) Amendment Regulations 2015.

The new rate will apply for the FBT quarter beginning 1 July 2015 and has been reviewed to align with the results from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s survey on variable first-mortgage housing rates.

Did you find this useful?