Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Auckland Company Becomes First to Have Tax Debt Reported

Auckland company becomes first to have tax debt reported

An Auckland company has become the first entity Inland Revenue has reported to credit agencies over the size of its tax debt.

The department was given the power earlier this year to disclose a company’s tax debt to approved agencies to give other creditors better protection.

Inland Revenue Collections Manager Stuart Duff says he has heard from many frustrated creditors over the years, which have done business with companies unaware they had a significant tax debt on the books.

“The law now allows us to pass this information on to credit agencies if the debt is higher than $150,000. Anyone running a check on a company will then be able to see these details.

“This company in Auckland has significant PAYE and GST debt but has chosen to ignore us despite being been given every chance to do the right thing.

“Now we have the ability to report the debt so fellow creditors can make informed decisions.”

The new powers have proven to be a useful deterrent for companies in a similar situation. Twenty seven have successfully negotiated arrangements to pay off their debt, while eight firms have cleared the outstanding amount in one hit.

Taking action spares the business from having its debt reported.

Mr Duff says this is an effective measure as it takes away the opportunity for a company to hide behind its tax debt.

“This is how debt reporting happens in the commercial world so it’s good for us as government debt collectors to have this ability too.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“There are more cases in the pipeline, which meet the same criteria as the company in Auckland.

“However, we hope businesses will make the appropriate effort to clear their tax debt so that we don’t have to use this tactic more often.”

Information is only shared with credit agencies that meet strict security criteria. There is more information about these rules on the Inland Revenue website. http://www.ird.govt.nz/technical-tax/general-articles/credit-reporting.html


ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.