the tax status of MP's claim for rent payments

Matthew Hatton made this Official Information request to Parliamentary Service

The request was successful.

From: Matthew Hatton

Dear Parliamentary Service, I would like to know whether Members of parliament pay tax on rent payments made on their behalf for properties that they inhabit when in Wellington.

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Hatton

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From: Parliamentary Information Service
Parliamentary Service

Thank you for your request. It has been received by the Parliamentary Information Service. This Service responds to information requests from the public which relate to all aspects of the New Zealand Parliament.

We will reply to your request within the next three working days.
____________________________________________________________

Parliamentary Information Service
Parliamentary Service, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

T: [04] 817 9647
E: [Parliamentary Service request email] W: www.parliament.nz
____________________________________________________________

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From: Matthew Hatton

Dear Parliamentary Information Service,

The answer to my request regarding the tax status of rent payments to Members of parliament was due 4th July, 1012. This date has passed and I have not recieved the information. This is contrary to the law. Please process my request immediately.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Hatton

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From: Parliamentary Information Service
Parliamentary Service

Hi Matthew

Our understanding is that the Parliamentary Service Communications Manager has made several attempts to reply to your query via the FYI.org.nz facility provided but without success. She has also endeavoured to contact FYI to report the problem but has had no response from them. If this reply reaches you, we would suggest you provide a personal working email address so we can ensure that the answer to your query gets through.

Just to clarify further, the Parliamentary Service is not presently covered by the Official Information Act so the legal obligation you assert is incorrect. However the Service is happy to answer your query provided we are actually able to make contact.

Kind regards
____________________________________________________________

Parliamentary Information Service
Parliamentary Service, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

T: [04] 817 9647
E: [Parliamentary Service request email] W: www.parliament.nz
____________________________________________________________

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From: Matthew Hatton

Dear Parliamentary Information Service,

I do not understand why previous replies have not reached me. This one did. My email address is [email address]
cellphone contact is [phone number removed]

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Hatton

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From: FYI Requests

Dear Mr Hatton,
 
In response to your question (see below in italics)  Parliamentary Service
is currently not subject to the Official Information Act.   However, in
the ‘spirit‘ of the Act I would add that Members do not pay tax on the
cost of the accommodation they inhabit when in Wellington.
 
Kind regards
 
Diana

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