Time to consider stamp duties, capital gains tax to curb housing: IMF

The global body said New Zealand’s surging house prices raise concerns about affordability and financial vulnerabilities.

Paul McBeth

Fri, 12 Mar 2021

The International Monetary Fund has singled out stamp duties and a capital gains tax as ways to reduce the allure of residential property investment and cool short-term demand helping to drive up house prices.In its concluding statement on the state of the country's economy – preceding a more fulsome report – the global body said New Zealand’s surging house prices raised concerns about affordability and financial vulnerabilities.“A comprehensive policy response is needed, including measures to unlock supply, dampen s...

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