AGENTSanswers - 2002
Issue November Special Edition (electronic only) - 2002
File your GST returns online with eGST
Since June this year some tax agents have been filing GST returns online through Inland Revenue's website as a pilot trial. The trial has been successful so we now invite all agents to use this new eGST service if they wish.
If you're interested in filing online with eGST please read on.
Brief description
The eGST return is an electronic form on Inland Revenue's website - currently accessible from the tax agents' page. It closely resembles the paper return, including numbers that match the box numbers on the paper return. But being electronic it can do the arithmetic for you, so you don't have to complete so many boxes.
The benefits to you:
- The eGST return arrives at Inland Revenue the same day as you send it.
- You get a time-stamped receipt for the return as soon as you send it.
- The calculations are checked before you file.
- Any refund is paid earlier, subject to normal audit checks.
How to file with eGST
- Go to the eGST return at https://www.ird.govt.nz/cgi-bin/form.cgi?form=gst101 (or follow the link from the tax agent's page on our site).
- Fill in your client's name and IRD number, plus the 14-character DLN number that's computer-printed on the top of your client's paper return. (The client's name and period start date are optional, but if entered they will appear on the printed copy that you get at the end.) You will continue to receive paper returns so you have a new 14-character DLN number for filing next time.
- Fill in the end date of the GST period, and choose whether you'll enter the total sales or GST on sales, and the same for purchases - then click Continue. The boxes for financial details will appear, and the return will know which calculation method you want.
- Once all the information is complete you'll get a "Please confirm" page. Here you can either alter anything that needs correcting, or transmit the return to Inland Revenue.
- As soon as you transmit the return you'll get a receipt page showing the time/date of filing and all the information you entered. Please print this page, sign it, and keep it as part of your GST records for audit purposes. This signed page becomes the GST return for the purposes of the Tax Administration and GST Acts, so you don't need to fill out a paper return.
Paying any GST owing
If there's GST to pay and your client is a Westpac, ANZ or Kiwibank customer they can pay online at their websites. There is a link from the eGST receipt page to these sites.
The other major banks in New Zealand (and some international banks) also have an internet banking or bill pay facility, which you may be able to use. Please make sure sufficient details are supplied for us to credit the payment to the account. See our booklet Making payments (IR584) to find out how to make these online payments correctly.
To pay by cheque just tear off the pay-in slip on the bottom of the paper return and post it with the cheque. Don't fill in the return - just send us the pay-in slip.
How we process eGST returns
The details you send update to our computer system overnight without any manual intervention. From there the usual process will apply - you'll receive an assessment if we calculate a different result for any reason. Any refund will be paid either by direct credit or cheque based on the instructions we hold.
Any problems?
The eGST return is on the secure part of Inland Revenue's website, so your browser needs to support 128-bit encryption and recognise Inland Revenue's website as a trusted site. For more information see ouronline services page.
For other issues you can call us on the tax agents 0800 number between 8 am and 8 pm weekdays and 9 am and 1 pm Saturdays.
If you want to comment about the form or the process please email us at egstpilot@ird.govt.nz
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Date published: 19 Nov 2004
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