Buying guide
NZ Capital Gains Tax: Labour's Plan and What's Already Law
Watch out – the rules could change in 2027
AI summary
New Zealand's property tax landscape may change with the Labour Party's proposed Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for the 2026 election, which builds on the existing bright-line test.
If enacted, the CGT would start 1 July 2027, applying a 28% tax on gains from investment and commercial properties sold after this date. The family home would be exempt. Proponents cite tax fairness, while critics worry about compliance costs. Property owners should monitor the election before making decisions.
In this article you’ll learn:
What is a capital gains tax?
Does NZ already have a capital gains tax?
What happens in here (and in voting booths) will ultimately decide whether or not we end up with a more broad CGT.
A closer look at Labour’s capital gains tax proposal
The case for a capital gains tax in NZ
The family home is exempt from Labour's proposal.
The case against a capital gains tax in NZ
Against a capital gains tax generally
Against the details of Labour’s plan
I own a property, what should I do now?
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