New Zealand authorities apologise for encouraging parents to ‘tax’ Halloween sweets

New Zealand’s tax department faced criticism after suggesting parents could tax their kids Halloween treat haul. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/EPA

New Zealand’s tax department has apologised for encouraging parents to hit their children’s Halloween candy stash with a “lolly tax” of up to 33%.

The Inland Revenue Department [IRD] came under fire on Sunday after tweeting from its official account that “parenting trends like a lolly tax teach kids responsibility by taking some of their lollies and taxing their trick or treat haul.”