Cuts to KiwiSaver, but swag of new bonds and a boost to financial sector regulation are the main measures in Budget 2011 for the financial services industry.

The Inland Revenue Department's focus on the property market has not let up due to the recession.

Toughening existing tax rules about when the capital gain on a property can be taxed were still under consideration by ministers until relatively late before this year’s Budget, papers released by the Treasury show.

Inland Revenue has signalled a further shift in its approach on GST when applied to land sales.

The government has ruled out almost all the property tax changes proposed by the Tax Working Group.

The government is changing the law to make it more difficult for property investors in trouble to arrange "de facto" mortgagee sales and avoid paying GST owed.

Investors whose property transactions may have been a little over-vigorous during the boom will not be able to relax because the boom is over.

Property managers will be able to compete with the real estate industry in charging letting fees.

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) have finally moved into the home stretch, with the bill being reported back to Parliament from select committee.

Equity, rather than the question of curing an over-investment in property, is the focus of a new paper on a capital gains tax for New Zealand.

While the Prime Minister John Key virtually ruled out a capital gains tax yesterday, he is much less unequivocal about other forms of tax on property investment.

While the Prime Minister John Key virtually ruled out a capital gains tax yesterday, he is much less unequivocal about other forms of tax on property investment.

Far reaching changes to associated persons tax rules have had some of the sharp edges removed from them - but the thrust of the changes remain.

Interest rates could turn upwards quite soon, irrespective of inflation, says Magellan co-founder Hamish Douglass.

Valuations of equity investments are the lowest they have been for a long time – but that does not mean it is time to swing back into the market, says Tower.

AMP Capital is shifting “from a very defensive to a less defensive stance” for the coming year.