Update on BEPS and FATCA

New Zealand is actively involved in reviewing its domestic legislation in light of the various BEPS Actions, and has concluded an intergovernmental agreement under FATCA. This article analyses New Zealand’s approach to BEPS and FATCA, observing that it is a dependable team player, but certainly not a leader in terms of giving effect to these developments. The New Zealand government believes that with regard to BEPS it is already “largely compliant”, and has a clear plan in place to review its position with regard to the BEPS Actions over the coming months. With a concluded intergovernmental agreement in place, the Inland Revenue Department is collecting information from financial institutions in preparation for transferring data to the IRS later in 2015.