NZ operating deficit wider than expected as GST, PAYE tax take misses forecasts

NZ operating deficit wider than expected as GST, PAYE tax take misses forecasts
Dec. 5 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand government's operating deficit was wider than forecast in the first four months of the financial year as the Crown clipped a smaller tax take on consumer spending and wages. The operating balance before gains and losses (obegal) was a deficit of $2.87 billion in the four months ended Oct. 31, $169 million, or 6.3 percent, bigger than forecast in the May Budget. Core tax revenue was 1.6 percent short of expectations at $17.92 billion, with goods and services tax and source deductions from weak private c...