A four-day customer service shutdown looms at IRD.
Inland Revenue is shutting down its customer services for just over four days this week as it rolls out the next stage of its $1.9 billion transformation programme.
Deputy Commissioner Transformation Greg James says the timing for the shutdown has been carefully selected after working with a number of heavy users of myIR to find the most convenient time.
“Moving these tax types and the associated data over to our new computer system is no small task so we’re taking the system offline to allow a smooth transition," James says.
IRD has told taxpayers the myIR online service will be switched off from Thursday afternoon at 3pm until Tuesday 17 April at 8am.
Inland Revenue contact centres and front of house services will also be closed but customers will still be able to pay tax using online banking.
The ir-File, used by businesses to submit Employer Monthly Schedules will be unavailable from midnight on Wednesday.
When business customers log in after Tuesday they will find a new "My Business" section in myIR, including the ability to file, pay and amend GST as well as fringe benefit tax and gaming machine duty.
A new provisional tax option called AIM or the Accounting Income Method, has also been introduced, designed to ensure small businesses will only have to pay provisional tax when they are making a profit.
"AIM will be a cash flow game changer while the new `My Business’ section brings more tax types online and all in the one place," James says.
IRD says almost 14,000 people have attended online presentations or seminars around the country to preview the improvements.
“There has been a series of dress rehearsals in recent weeks to prepare for the migration of data on to the new system and over the last year every aspect of `My Business’ has been heavily user tested to ensure customers have the best possible experience when they log back in on April 17,” James says.
Last month, the Auditor-General found fault with aspects of IRD's procurement for the transformation programme, including allowing one unnamed vendor to submit new pricing while not offering the same opportunity to a rival bidder.
