Expect to be chased for even small tax debt, IRD says
Inland Revenue says even people with relatively small tax debt can expect to get a phone call about it.
The tax department is cracking down on overdue tax as it tries to pull in an estimated $10 billion in tax debt.
It said it had started calling customers with overdue GST and employer tax, even if they were at relatively small amounts, because it wanted to stop the debt getting larger.
Since 9 October, it has been calling people with debt of at least $1000, that is between six months and five years old.
It said it would tell customers what they owed and point out the penalties and interest that could be charged.
People who owed more than $10,000 would get a warning about the potential legal consequences.
Customer segment leader Tony Morris told RNZ's Checkpoint that IRD was ratcheting up the pressure on people who owed tax, after a period of taking a gentler approach.
People who did not respond to the call could be visited.
If none of those options worked, the department could take money fro bank accounts or start insolvency proceedings.
Since mid-June Inland Revenue has sent out 16,500 notices about planned bank deductions - 25 percent more than for the whole of last year.
Between mid-June and September 30, 8181 deductions were completed with $17 million of debt recovered.
While some accountants told RNZ that the heavier-handed tactics were hard for businesses that were struggling in tough economic times, Morris said there was also support for the increased collection efforts.
========================================================
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
-
82.3% Same!
-
17.7% Would have liked to try something different
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Loading…
