Community-Wise - 2008
Community-Wise Issue November 2008
- KiwiSaver the easy way
- Virtual Hold gives real benefit to customers
- Tax payments due on 7 February
- Child support and school holidays
- Community relationship officers
- Key dates and events
KiwiSaver the easy way
Customers can now keep track of their KiwiSaver contributions online with Manage My KiwiSaver - a web-based service that lets them view their account with Inland Revenue any time, day or night. The service is secure, easy to use and best of all there's no waiting in a queue.
Manage My KiwiSaver also allows customers to update their contact details and apply for a contributions holiday.
Where is Manage My KiwiSaver?
It's on the front page of the KiwiSaver website. Customers will need a user ID and password to log on. This ensures their privacy. If they've already registered for an online account at Inland Revenue's website, they can use their existing user ID and password to access Manage My KiwiSaver. It's a simple process to register if they haven't already and once they've registered, their user ID and password can be used for both Inland Revenue's website and the KiwiSaver website.
To register, follow these three steps:
- Go to the KiwiSaver website and click on the "Login or Register" button.
- Choose a user ID and password by following the on-screen instructions.
- Confirm the user ID and password by phoning the 0800 number given. Or, if there's no rush, they may prefer to wait and get their temporary password in the post.
Once logged on to Manage My KiwiSaver they can:
- View all money paid to Inland Revenue (including employee deductions, employer contributions, voluntary contributions and government contributions).
- Get details of any interest credited to their account.
- See when we transfer the money to their scheme provider.
- View and update contact details.
- Find out how to contact their scheme provider, and see a list of all current scheme providers.
- Request one of our information packs.
- Apply for a contributions holiday.
- Opt out of KiwiSaver (if they were automatically enrolled and the deadline hasn't passed).
- Track their requests, and see how they're progressing.
- A confirmation screen shows that we've received their updates. The homepage displays helpful "Messages of the day" to keep them up-to-date with the latest news and, if they're on a contributions holiday, they'll be reminded when it's about to expire.
What Manage My KiwiSaver doesn't show:
- Any payments made directly to their scheme provider.
- The return on their investment.
- They'll need to contact their scheme provider if they'd like these details.
Note
KiwiSaver deductions that come out of salary or wage aren't paid directly to the scheme providers. Instead, they come to Inland Revenue first, along with other employee deductions like PAYE, child support and student loan repayments. The normal payroll cycle means it may take over two months for their money to reach their scheme provider.
Virtual Hold gives real benefits to customers
Our new Virtual Hold service will help reduce the wait times for customers who ring during peak times by giving them the option of receiving a call back.
Virtual Hold works very simply. When a customer rings they will be given the option of waiting on the phone or choosing Virtual Hold. If they chose Virtual Hold they will be asked for their name and contact number then given an estimated time for when they will be called back. Virtual Hold then keeps their place in the queue and calls them back when their call gets to the front of the queue. The customer is then asked to confirm they are the person who originally called and transferred to a customer service representative.
If the customer is not ready or unavailable to receive the return call, Virtual Hold will call back every five minutes, up to four more times.
Virtual Hold will only be turned on during peak times when Inland Revenue experiences medium to high call numbers so customers won't always experience this service. It's also not available for mobile or international callers.
Our website and other self-service options are still the best sources of information for customers who don't need direct contact with us.
Tax payments due 7 February
Income tax, student loan, and family assistance payments are due on 7 February 2009 (unless customers use a tax agent). Customers with payments due will be sent a reminder letter in January 2009. Customers should contact us as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements if they can't make these payments, disagree with the amount due, or wish to alter the details of an existing arrangement they have with us.
Payments can be made:
- by cash or cheque at any Westpac branch
- online through their bank's website (all major banks now provide this service)
- using the payment slip attached to the reminder letter and posting a cheque to us (please do not post cash)
Interest and penalties will be charged on any outstanding payments from 8 February if no arrangement has been made.
Planning ahead for 7 February
If customers can't pay in full by 7 February, we ask that they contact us as soon as possible to discuss their options. One option that may be available is setting up an arrangement to pay the tax bill off in instalments.
There are a few things customers will need to consider before entering into an arrangement with us.
- All returns must be up to date. If a customer has any outstanding returns they must be filed before an arrangement can be agreed to.
- The arrangement will not cover any future debts.
- Use of money interest is still charged at a rate of 13.08% and payable for the duration of the arrangement.
- A late payment penalty of 1% (of the outstanding tax due) will be applied on the day after the due date (8 February).
- However, provided the terms of the arrangement are kept to, there will be no further late payment penalties applied.
- For arrangements made to cover outstanding student loan debt there will also be a monthly 2% penalty that appears on their student loan account. However, if the terms of the arrangement are kept to then these penalties will be cancelled at the end.
- If customers do not keep to the terms of the arrangement, for example, filing returns on time, making agreed payments on time and keeping their current obligations up to date, they may default the arrangement and be liable for all the late payment penalties from the due date. Customers who believe they won't be able to make the payment in full by the 7 February 2009 and are considering this option should contact us by 5 February 2009.
Child support and school holidays
Often the end of year brings changes in living arrangements or personal circumstances.
Changes such as holiday jobs, moving to live with the other parent for the holidays, leaving school and receiving student allowances can all affect child support eligibility.
What if my child gets a job for the holidays?
When a child begins full-time employment the paying parent no longer needs to pay child support because the child is now considered financially independent. Full-time employment means working on average for 30 hours or more each week - it doesn't depend on how much the child earns. If the child is employed for less than 30 hours per week it won't affect the child support eligibility. If the child's full-time employment ends, the custodian needs to reapply for child support. They can apply when the child starts their job and Inland Revenue will hold it until the job finishes, meaning there are no delays in stopping or starting child support payments.
What if my child spends school holidays with the paying parent?
Shared care provisions apply where the paying parent cares for the child for at least 40% of the total nights in a year. In most cases, only looking after the child during the school holidays is unlikely to equal this amount. If a paying parent thinks their care of the children has increased to 40% or more, they should contact Inland Revenue to discuss the change in their circumstances as it may mean a reduction in payments.
What if my child receives a student allowance?
Child support payments continue until the child turns 19 but will stop if:
- the child marries or enters a civil union or de facto relationship
- starts living with the paying parent
- becomes financially independent through full-time employment
- starts receiving a benefit or student allowance.
Young people who receive a student allowance in the form of either a basic grant or the independent circumstances grant no longer qualify for child support as they're considered to be financially independent. If an away from home allowance is being paid for the child, they still qualify for child support as they're considered to still be financially dependent. This is because the allowance is paid to the caregiver, not the child.
Receiving a student loan doesn't affect child support entitlements. With the end of the school year, a number of children under the age of 19 will leave school and begin full-time jobs or start full-time tertiary study with a student allowance. We needto know as soon as possible if any of these changes happen to make sure all child support entitlements and obligations are met. A change of circumstances form can be completed online or customers can call 0800 221 221.
Community relationship officers
Our community relationship officers are responsible for educating customers on entitlements and compliance obligations. Refer to the table below to find the community relationship officers in your area.
| Name | Contact number |
|---|---|
| Wellington | |
| Brian Woolford | 04 890 1037 |
| Iriea Williams | 04 890 3294 |
| Tracey Taylor | 04 890 1153 |
| Ruta Wright (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 04 890 1169 |
| Luke Schaumkell (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 04 890 1009 |
| Nelson | |
| Kaye Latham | 03 989 6000 |
| Margaret King | 03 989 6158 |
| Dayveen Stephens (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 03 989 6146 |
| Christchurch | |
| Katie Collins | 03 968 0765 |
| Mary Jane Heu ((Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 03 968 0792 |
| Nicole Manawatu (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 03 968 0648 |
| Denise Te karu (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 03 968 0380 |
| Christchurch/Timaru | |
| Don Amyes | 03 968 0488 |
| Dunedin | |
| Cindy Henry | 03 951 2011 |
| Kiwhare Mihaka (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 03 951 2087 |
| Greymouth | |
| Juliette Henry | 03 906 0317 |
| Whangarei | |
| Angela Pearson | 09 986 6000 |
| Luana Poata | 09 986 6028 |
| Leanne Hohaia (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 09 986 6007 |
| James Barrett (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 09 986 6128 |
| Takapuna | |
| Nicola Sharp | 09 984 1641 |
| Linda Fawcett | 09 970 6041 |
| Jason Samuels (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 09 984 1136 |
| Manukau | |
| Helen Lisiua | 09 984 2230 |
| Kevin Mascarenhas | 09 984 2254 |
| Paul Tuisaula | 09 984 2343 |
| Sophie Chungson | 09 984 2332 |
| Christina Fifita | 09 984 2376 |
| Anthea Te Moana (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 09 984 2049 |
| Maari Hiakita (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 09 984 2368 |
| Hamilton | |
| Chris Novak | 07 959 0267 |
| Moana Ratima | 07 959 0266 |
| Maureen Thornton (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 07 959 0238 |
| Chrys Thompson (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 07 959 0745 |
| Palmerston North | |
| Craig Riley | n/a |
| Philippa McNae | 06 953 3096 |
| Charmaine Ratima (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 06 953 3026 |
| Rhys Mohi (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 06 953 3105 |
| New Plymouth | |
| Renee Hitchings | 06 968 4050 |
| Naida Tuirirangi (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 06 968 4026 |
| Napier | |
| Paula Nicol | 06 974 6331 |
| Nikki Harrison (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 06 974 6359 |
| Gisborne | |
| Danny Fong | 06 986 2003 |
| Ian Procter (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 06 986 2028 |
| Rotorua | |
| Sonia Cooper | 07 921 3809 |
| Edward Nathan | 07 921 3824 |
| Amiria Tomoana (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 07 921 3809 |
| Tauranga | |
| Lorraine Morten | 07 927 5361 |
| Tania Faulkner (Kaitakawaenga Māori) | 07 927 5226 |
Key dates and events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December Student loans |
The third non-resident assessment instalment is due for borrowers living overseas. |
| February Income tax, family tax credits and student loans |
End of year tax payments for income tax, family tax credits and student loans customers (without tax agent) are due on 7 February. |
| February Child support |
Notice of assessment for paying parents (based on their income over the last year) is mailed out. |
| February Student loans |
Student loan courses completed before 31 December 2008 are transferred from Studylink to Inland Revenue. Letters are sent to borrowers in March giving full details |
| Early March Working for families tax credits |
Working for families tax credits details are automatically transferred to the next tax year. Certificates of entitlement for 1 April 2009-31 March 2010 are sent customers who receive their working for families tax credits payments weekly or fortnightly. |
| March Student loans |
The third student loan interim assessment instalment is due. This applies to borrower's who:
It also applies to salary and wage earners who have a residual payment obligation of over $1000. The fourth non-resident assessment instalment is due for borrowers living overseas. |
| March Child support |
Notice of entitlement for custodians (telling them what they can expect to receive in the coming year) is mailed out. Employer deduction notice, including Work and Income benefit deduction notices, is mailed out. |
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Date published: 23 Apr 2009
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