Changes to sharing information about unpaid tax

We’ve made changes to how we share information about unpaid tax (credit reporting) to a credit agency.

Credit reporting affects a business’s credit rating. We introduced it to encourage tax compliance and improve visibility of significant tax debt.

Credit reporting requirements

To credit report a business, the following must be met.

• The business has GST, PAYE, or income tax debt over $150,000 that is 90 days overdue, or
• the debt has been unpaid for more than 12 months and is equal to 30% or more of the taxpayer’s assessable income.
• We’ve made reasonable efforts to collect the debt.
• The business was formally notified 30 days before it was credit reported.

What’s changing

• Reasonable effort to collect is now met if we’ve sent at least 2 automated overdue tax notices to the company, including notices sent in myIR.
• Direct personal contact with the customer is no longer required. For example, discussions with company directors or tax agent will meet the requirements.
• Formal notification using a 30-day notice – intention to disclose (Notice of Intent) no longer needs to be served on all directors.
• From 1 April 2026, we will be able to issue the Notice of Intent in myIR or standard post.
• We are also seeking to extend this information sharing to other approved credit reporting agencies.

What this means for your clients

• Companies who meet credit reporting requirements will be reminded as part of the billing cycle notifications that this intervention could be a possibility before a Notice of Intent is issued.
• Notices of Intent will be issued in myIR or standard post, rather than being couriered.
• This reinforces the value of ensuring client’s myIR access and contact details are current and reviewed regularly.

The Notice of Intent will not be redirected to tax agents, but if you have the customer master link you can view the letter in myIR.