NZ Crown accounts unexpectedly in surplus in 10 months to April as PIE tax fills coffers

NZ Crown accounts unexpectedly in surplus in 10 months to April as PIE tax fills coffers
By Paul McBeth June 9 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand government reported an unexpected operating surplus in the 10 months through April as the Crown's tax coffers were bolstered by a bigger inflow from Portfolio Investment Entity tax and strong consumer spending. The operating balance before gains and losses (Obegal) was a surplus of $448 million in the 10 months ended April 30, compared to the forecast deficit of $555 million in the budget last month, and a turnaround from the year-earlier deficit of $1.37 billion. Tax revenue rose 8.9...