A missed or underpaid provisional tax payment often means a taxpayer is faced with a steep interest cost and potentially late payment penalties on top of what they owe.

However, tax pooling can make that go away.

A big frustration with Inland Revenue (IR) is that it expects taxpayers to pay the correct amount of tax on the dates it sets. No ifs, no buts.

Fail to adhere to this rigid timetable or underpay and you will face the consequences.

IR charges interest – 10.91% as at 7 August 2024 – from the date the payment was due until you pay the outstanding amount.

Late payment penalties may also apply as follows:

  • One percent the day after payment was due.
  • An additional four percent if the tax amount (including late payment penalties) remains unpaid after seven days.

A tax pooling provider such as TMNZ operates with the blessing of IR. It can be of assistance if taxpayers find themselves in this situation.

Where might this be useful?

In the event you missed your recent 7 May provisional tax payment – or any other instalment relating to the 2020-21 income year, for that matter – we can eliminate any late payment penalties for which you may be liable and significantly reduce the interest you pay.

You make your payment to TMNZ and we apply backdated tax that was paid to IR on the original date(s) it was due against your liability.

The taxman treats it as if you paid on time once it processes this transaction.

This wipes any IR interest and late payment penalties showing on your account.

You have the option of making to TMNZ a one-off payment at a date of your choosing or making regular instalment payments towards your liability over a longer period.

TMNZ gives you up to 13 months to pay your 7 May provisional tax for the 2020-21 income year.

Is your 2020 terminal tax overdue?

You still have time to use TMNZ to reduce the interest cost and eliminate late payment penalties if you have outstanding provisional or terminal tax liabilities for the 2019-20 income year.

However, you will have to act quickly.

Tax pooling legislation gives taxpayers an additional 75 days past their terminal tax date to pay their terminal tax.

If your terminal tax for the 2019-20 income year was due on 7 April 2021, you would have until 15 June to settle owe with TMNZ.

Reassessed by IR

TMNZ can also assist with historic income tax payments and other tax types such as GST and PAYE if you receive a notice of reassessment from IR.

You have 60 days from the date the IR issues this notice to use tax pooling.

Please contact us if you have any questions.