Permanent employees are entitled to actual and reasonable sick leave to recover from genuine illness, but entitlements do not accumulate and are recognised as an expense when the absence occurs. Long-term employee entitlements Employee benefits that are due to be settled beyond 12 months after the end of the period in which the employee renders the related service, such as long service leave and retirement leave, have been calculated on an actuarial basis and are classified as non-current liabilities. The calculations are based on: 1 likely future entitlements accruing to staff based on years of service, years to entitlement, the likelihood that staff will reach the point of entitlement, and contractual entitlements information and 2 the present value of the estimated future cash flows. Superannuation schemes Defined contribution schemes Obligations for contributions to KiwiSaver are accounted for as defined contribution schemes and are recognised as an expense in the surplus or deficit in the statement of comprehensive revenue and expense as incurred. Commitments Expenses yet to be incurred on non-cancellable lease and capital contracts that have been entered into on or before balance date are disclosed as commitments to the extent that there are equally unperformed obligations. Cancellable commitments that have penalty or exit costs explicit in the agreement on exercising that option to cancel are disclosed at the value of that penalty or exit cost. Accumulated funds Accumulated funds are the net surpluses and deficits that have accumulated over time and represent the Crown’s investment in the Commission. Accumulated funds are measured as the difference between total assets and total liabilities. Goods and services tax (GST) All items in the financial statements are stated exclusive of GST, except for receivables and payables which are stated on a GST inclusive basis. Where GST is not recoverable as input tax it is recognised as part of the related asset or expense. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, Inland Revenue (IR) is presented in the statement of financial position. The net GST paid to or received from the IR, including the GST relating to investing and financing activities, is classified as an operating cash flow in the statement of cash flows. Commitments and contingencies are disclosed exclusive of GST. Income tax The Commission is a public authority and consequently is exempt from the payment of income tax. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income tax. Budget figures The budget figures are derived from the Statement of Performance Expectations approved by the Board at the beginning of the financial year. The budget figures have been prepared in accordance with New Zealand GAAP using accounting policies that are consistent with those adopted by the Board in preparing these financial statements. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions In preparing these financial statements, the Commission has made estimates and assumptions concerning the future. These estimates and assumptions may differ from the subsequent actual results. Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and 63