[?]Z Tax-Gatherer

[?]oes After [?]ook Is. Tax-Dodgers

i TAXATION expert of the New L Zealand Taxation Department left Auckland in mid-March spend six months in the Cook lands, investigating the books of issible tax-evaders there. In the st the Department has not shown uch interest in the Cook Islands, d it has been a tax-free haven r all except those who have made luntary payment, as required by iv.

With high prices for Islands oduce, many Islanders, as well as iropeans, are now earning tax le incomes.

The Social Security system does t operate *in the Cook Islands, id wage-earners there are not juired to pay social-security tax, t they are required to pay or lary income tax if earning over >0 per annum, and in any case to ike annual returns of income.

Dne well-known Cook Islands ider was “stung” heavily last ir when he showed himself in w Zealand with a wad of notes, hers may now be feeling appre nsive.

Fhe expert is said to have plenty time and is not going to rush ngs. Culprits paying up volun •ily may be forgiven some of their st sins—so reach for the cheque ik, gents!—J.P.S.

Ed. Note: It comes as a surprise find that the parliamentarily celess Cook Island residents are )ject to NZ income tax. And we ve certainly never heard before anyone voluntarily paying income