Notice Type
Departmental
Who Must File a Tax Return? Notice to File Returns of Income Under the Tax Administration Act 1994 and the Income Tax Act 1994 The Commissioner of Inland Revenue gives notice to those who must file returns under the terms of the Tax Administration Act 1994 and the Income Tax Act 1994 as follows: 1. Returns of income for the year ended 31 March 1998 (or other approved balance date) are required from: (a) Every person who received income over $34,200. (b) Every person who received New Zealand Superannuation and more than $10,296 if you were single, or $7,722 each if married of other income (including 50% of non-taxable pensions). (c) Every person who had a student loan balance before 31 December 1997, except those who repaid the loan in full by 31 March 1997. (d) Every person who was required to pay child support. (e) Every person, and the partner (or ex-partner if separated) of a person who was issued with a Family Assistance Certificate of Entitlement, or received Family Assistance with an income-tested benefit from Income Support and whose family income was over $20,000. Any person with dependent children who is not currently receiving Family Assistance should check to see if they qualify. They can ring our automated phone service, 0800 43 53 63 for a taxpack. All they need is a touch tone phone and their IRD number. (f) Every person who received income that did not have the correct rate of PAYE or RWT deducted from it. (g) Every person who used a special tax code (IR 23), or the special shearers' codes SSH or SHR. (h) Every person who was an IR 56 taxpayer. (i) Every person who received income from withholding payments (IR 13 certificate). (j) Every person who received income from business rents or any other income with no tax deducted before receipt of that income. (k) Every company, partnership, estate, trust, Maori authority or any other incorporated or unincorporated body, that is not: approved by Inland Revenue as fully exempt from income tax; or a non-active company that meets the conditions for and has completed an IR 4NA Declaration. (l) Every person who received income from overseas. (m) Every person who has been asked by Inland Revenue to send in a return. 2. Returns may be filed electronically, posted or delivered to Inland Revenue. 3. Due dates for filing returns of income for the year ended 31 March 1998 are: (a) 7 June 1998, in cases where all income has had tax deducted at the time it was earned or received (ie income from salary, wages, benefits, pensions, interest and/or dividends) and no other income whatsoever was generated. Use the IR 5 return (green). (b) 7 July 1998, in all other cases. For taxpayers with a late balance date, not later than the 7th day of the 4th month after the balance date. The returns to use are: IR 3 (light grey) for individuals IR 3NR (lilac) for non-residents IR 4 (blue) for companies IR 6 (red) for estates and trusts IR 7 (brown) for partnerships IR 8 (gold) for Maori authorities IR 9 (olive) for clubs and societies IR 44 (maroon) for registered superannuation funds. 4. Any person requiring a return form can request one using the Inland Revenue automated phone service 0800 43 53 63. They can ring any day from 6 a.m.midnight. All they need is a touch tone phone and their IRD number. 5. Any person who is not required under paragraph (1) to file a return and who has derived income from employment may choose to file a return using form IR 5. A tax refund may arise if, for example: additional rebates or exemptions were not included in the tax code during the year employment was for part of the year only you made donations and/or you paid for child care or a house/keeper. 6. This year, for the first time, Inland Revenue will charge a late filing penalty. Failure to file your return on or before the due date can result in a late filing penalty. The amount of late filing penalty depends on the amount of net income. The following table outlines the possible penalty: Net Income Penalty Less than $100,000 $ 50.00 $100,000$1 million $250.00 More than $1 million $500.00 Any person or company who is required to but does not file an income tax return within the prescribed time may be prosecuted for `failure to furnish a return', and if convicted, may be fined (under section 143 of the Tax Administration Act 1994) as follows: up to $4,000 for a first offence up to $8,000 for a second offence up to $12,000 for any subsequent offence. Dated at Wellington this 22nd day of April 1998. HARRY GRAHAM HOLLAND, Commissioner of Inland Revenue.
Publication Date
30 Apr 1998

Notice Number

1998-go2681

Page Number

1343