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The Business Advisory Blog

Insight, news and updates from Alliott NZ Chartered Accountants, Auckland New Zealand. The views expressed here are the views of the author and should be discussed in further detail should an article be relevant to your individual circumstances.

While every effort has been made to provide valuable, useful information in this publication, this firm and any related suppliers or associated companies accept no responsibility or any form of liability from reliance upon or use of its contents. Any suggestions should be considered carefully within your own particular circumstances, as they are intended as general information only.

Greg Millar
Published on

Calling time on cheques

Last month, you may have seen the announcement that Inland Revenue will be moving away from cheques as they become increasingly digital in the way they work.

signFrom 1 March 2020, the IRD will no longer be accepting cheques, including post-dated cheques (dated after 1 March 2020) from customers who are able to use alternative payment options.

With cheque usage declining every year, this also reflects their customers’ preferences. Last year cheques only accounted for 5% of payments; most of their customers are now choosing to pay their taxes electronically.

For those customers who do still use cheques, they are encouraging them to get a head start on finding other convenient and secure payment options that work for them. The IRD appreciates that, for some people, this will be a significant change that will take some adjustment, although there are now lots of faster, cheaper and safer ways to pay electronically or in person.

Ways to pay

We recommend you contact your bank about online banking options such as:

  • direct credit payments
  • automatic payments.

Many banks offer a dedicated tax payment option.

You can pay online through Inland Revenue:

  • Use your credit or debit card to make online payments through their website.
  • You can pay by direct debit and make debit card and credit card payments securely through myIR online services. Visit IRD's website and login or register for myIR.
  • If you’re overseas you can pay using a fees-free money transfer service. Search for “make a payment” on IRD's website for more information.

In person:

  • You can drop into a Westpac bank and pay your taxes over the counter by cash or EFTPOS. You can only do this at Westpac branches.
  • You can also use one of Westpac’s Smart ATMs.

If you can access the internet, go to the Westpac website to find a Westpac branch or Smart ATM.

Find out more

To help you find a payment option that works for you:

  • Talk to your bank about their online banking facilities.
  • You can also find out more about your payment options on the Inland Revenue website.
  • If you have a tax agent like Alliott NZ Chartered Accountants, you may also like to talk with us about your payment options.

If you need help getting started with online banking:

  • Check out any free digital courses offered by your bank or local community groups.
Source IRD

Topics: digital disruption Inland Revenue Department New Zealand Payment methods