IRD to help South Island storm victims

Lambs in the cold weather. Photo / NZ Herald

Farmers and others adversely affected by the storms in the lower South Island will be granted reprieve from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Mr Dunne said the IRD would offer its adverse event assistance to those in Southland and South Otago.

"Where possible Inland Revenue will use its discretion to ease the immediate tax burden while farmers get back on their feet."

That included discretion on late income equalisation deposits and early withdrawals for farmers, he said.

The IRD was offering similar assistance in Canterbury following the earthquake there.

- NZPA