Tax treatment for NZ emissions units can be tricky

Tax treatment for NZ emissions units can be tricky
Most NZ emissions units are taxable when they're sold. (Image: Getty)
Brent Melville
Landowners and farmers may see the planting of new forests and buying and selling of New Zealand emissions units as easy money, but they need to keep in mind that Inland Revenue will still get its cut.Most NZ emissions units (NZUs) – equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions produced – are taxable when sold.And those that aren't classed as ‘replacement units’ for others already sold must be brought in at cost at the end of the income year.In fact, only those units that are bought to repla...

More Primary Sector

Critical minerals miner plans 2026 NZX listing
Primary Sector

Critical minerals miner plans 2026 NZX listing

The company plans to raise $20m from retail investors in mid-2026.

Ruminant Biotech closes $17 million series A raise
Primary Sector

Ruminant Biotech closes $17 million series A raise

The agritech start-up plans its commercial launch in NZ and Australia next year.

Draft approval clears way for OceanaGold expansion
Primary Sector Exclusive

Draft approval clears way for OceanaGold expansion

The Waihi North Project is the first mine set to be approved under the fast-track law.

A cut to the milk price isn’t as bad as it sounds
Primary Sector

A cut to the milk price isn’t as bad as it sounds

A $9.50/kgMS price is still well ahead of breakeven.