Q: I find dealing with IRD over the phone can be time-consuming when I should be focused on running my business. Can businesses deal with Inland Revenue over the internet?
A: Sarah Trotman, small business specialist, responds:
I often recommend that small business owners use the Inland Revenue website, IRD,
to access their free online services.
Inland Revenue offers a range of online services for businesses and individuals, who can use the website to access information, forms and electronic calculators, correspond securely with the department and file personal income, PAYE, GST, IR3, IR4 and Fringe Benefit Tax returns.
In addition to this, most banks meet Inland Revenue's internet specifications so customers can make tax payments through their bank's website.
Inland Revenue's online services provide customers with greater choice in how they interact with the department. These online services complement, and do not replace, the traditional paper-based ways of dealing with the IRD.
Increasingly, businesses are finding the online services are a fast, easy and convenient way to meet their tax obligations.
Latest figures from Inland Revenue show that online return filing for FBT and GST returns has been growing steadily since the two services were introduced last year.
From last July 1 to December 31, Inland Revenue processed 3531 online FBT returns and 67,679 online GST returns. This represented 4 per cent of all FBT returns and 5 per cent of GST returns.
The new online services are part of Inland Revenue's "e-enablement strategy", which was launched in mid-2002 and covers the introduction of more than 50 electronic services over five years.
These new electronic services cover all aspects of the department's business and eventually all its customer-facing services will be available online.
While initial developments have centred on providing information, calculator tools and reminder systems online, and the facility to file returns and pay tax, future developments will involve a secure online self-service, where customers can update their individual accounts, so they can better understand their obligations and positions.
Interactive assistance from the website is also planned.
This could include text chat, audio chat, video conferencing and tutorials.
To find out more about Inland Revenue's online services, businesses can request a visit from one of the department's business tax information officers. These officers can be booked through the department's website, or by phoning 0800 377-774.
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<I>Business mentor:</I> IRD has most services online
Q: I find dealing with IRD over the phone can be time-consuming when I should be focused on running my business. Can businesses deal with Inland Revenue over the internet?
A: Sarah Trotman, small business specialist, responds:
I often recommend that small business owners use the Inland Revenue website, IRD,
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