The Police Association has called in tax specialists to fight a change that will affect more than 2000 plain-clothes officers.
In April, the Inland Revenue Department introduced a tax on the annual $1300 clothing allowance given to plain-clothes officers, reducing the amount each receives by more than $400.
Police Association industrial advocate, Greg Fleming, says it does not agree with the new charge and has called in tax specialists BDO to challenge the decision.
He says plain-clothes officers, who are mostly detectives, should not be expected to pay tax on the allowance when they often rip or damage their clothes while on the job.
New Zealand First police spokesperson Richard Prosser says the tax is not necessary and is a stingy way to gather revenue.
He says the law and order system is supposed to punish offenders not the police officers trying to catch them.
