Agent status at Inland Revenue celebrated by bookkeepers

Agent status at Inland Revenue celebrated by bookkeepers

Announcement of new entity status at Inland Revenue recognises the value and status of the bookkeeping profession in New Zealand


Inland Revenue has recognised the increased engagement of bookkeepers in New Zealand by businesses and has taken steps to have Bookkeepers made a recognised entity, allowing for easier access for bookkeepers to work with IR on their client's affairs.

A ground breaking achievement for the profession, Royal Assent is complete, and legislation has just passed allowing New Zealand bookkeepers to become Bookkeeper Agents with Inland Revenue.

This new agent status allows a bookkeeper to link a client directly to their own agency without affecting an accountant's tax agent status with the client. With the addition of this access, bookkeepers are now able to file returns, communicate with Inland Revenue and see the status of each tax type, without the need to incur further time and costs to their client by liaising with third parties and accountants.

Bookkeepers in New Zealand are at the forefront of business, supporting them at a grass roots level, ensuring their systems and processes are robust and current, supplying insights into the accurate data with which clients make sound business decisions, as well as assisting businesses with their compliance obligations.

"Inland Revenue have recognised how important bookkeepers are." said Di Crawford-Errington, President of ICNZB. "The founding committee of the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers (ICNZB) began the petition over eight years ago to educate the Inland Revenue on the valuable role bookkeepers play in the success of New Zealand businesses. That insight and hard work by the past and present Executive has finally paid off and we are excited that it will finally be easier to work with IR for our members."

At its inception, the ICNZB has been passionate about achieving this recognition with Inland Revenue and this desire has amplified over the years through many members of our executive committee. Upon being informed of the new status, founding secretary of ICNZB, Vivien Cowey states “I am extra proud that it happened this week as I know that our NZ Bookkeepers community have the culture that all New Zealanders have been seeking over the past few days - supportive, understanding, excepting of diversity and a lot of love for each other. This has made my week.”

Bookkeepers will be able to register as a Bookkeeper Agent from 26 April 2019 with one on one support being provided by Inland Revenue during this transition period.

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