Is the New Zealand Qualifying Company regime achieving its original objectives?

Abstract

In 1992 New Zealand adopted two hybrid entities for taxation purposes, known as Qualifying Companies and Loss Attribution Qualifying Companies. It was stated that these entities would provide members with limited liability, but would be taxed in a similar manner to partnerships. What has been the New Zealand experience over the past 13 years with this alternative business form? This paper will critically analyse New Zealand's Qualifying Companies and Loss Attribution Qualifying Companies to ascertain whether these regimes have been successful in achieving their original objectives. Such an assessment is timely given the New Zealand Government's recent announcement to introduce another hybrid entity.