Important Changes in Payment Services to IRD

1. Customers will no longer be able to make cheque payments or drop off returns or forms at any Westpac bank. Any cheque payments, returns and forms will need to be posted directly to Inland Revenue. Customers can continue to make cash and eftpos payments at Westpac branches.  Online banking, credit and debit cards and international money transfers are also accepted payment methods. 
2. Payments posted to Inland Revenue need to be received by Inland Revenue on or before the due date to avoid payment penalties and interest. This means cheque payments can no longer be posted on the due date. The reason behind the change is to remove the unintended advantage to customers who post cheque payments on the due date, and ensures equal treatment for all regardless of payment method. 
3. Currently a provincial anniversary day is treated as a public holiday and Inland Revenue accepts a tax payment as being on time if it is received on the next working day. It is proposed that this concession will no longer apply. Taxpayers will need to ensure their payments are received by Inland Revenue on or before the provincial anniversary day. The concession will remain unchanged for weekends and national public holidays.

Inland Revenue are encouraging customers to use electronic payment methods, which are secure and faster than traditional payment methods and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have any further questions, or need further advice, please contact your accounted4 team on 827 5192.