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

Aussie's Laguna Bay gets nod to snap up three Otago dairy farms
Primary Sector

Aussie's Laguna Bay gets nod to snap up three Otago dairy farms

The adjoining properties are being leased to Fortuna Group.

a2 Milk's shareholders appear udderly content with its direction
Primary Sector

a2 Milk's shareholders appear udderly content with its direction

It's been two months since the dairy company took over its new Pōkeno facility.

Alliance Group returns to profitability
Primary Sector

Alliance Group returns to profitability

The Dawn Meats deal was approved by shareholders last month.

Riley Kennedy 20 Nov 2025