This page is general information. Final determinations, processing timeframes and decisions are at the discretion of Inland Revenue and, where applicable, the courts.
When Inland Revenue pressure escalates
Selected tax-debt matters may involve:
- Income-tax, GST or PAYE arrears
- Accumulated penalties and use-of-money interest
- Defaulted instalment arrangements
- Deduction notices or statutory demands
- Liquidation or bankruptcy risk
- New Zealand tax debt pursued against a person living overseas
- Bright-line property-tax disputes connected with an existing Inland Revenue matter
How Dave may assist
Where formally engaged through Meridian Partners, Dave may:
- Review the tax-debt and enforcement position
- Communicate and negotiate with Inland Revenue
- Prepare remission applications where proper grounds exist
- Present repayment, settlement or financial-relief proposals
- Respond to statutory demands, deduction notices and recovery action
- Work with the client’s accountant on financial evidence and supporting schedules
Penalties, interest and payment proposals
Penalties and interest can continue to increase while an account remains unresolved. Inland Revenue may consider remission, instalment or settlement proposals in appropriate circumstances, but each request must be supported by the applicable facts and evidence.
- A clear account of how the arrears arose
- Complete and current financial information
- Realistic capacity-to-pay evidence
- A credible plan for future compliance
- Supporting material for any hardship or remission grounds
Working with your accountant or tax agent
Dave does not provide accounting, tax-return preparation or general technical tax services through DaveTaxNZ. Where returns, financial reconstruction or technical schedules are required, he works with the client’s accountant or tax agent so the legal and financial material is coordinated.
Experience and approach
Dave is a Tax Barrister, a Partner at Meridian Partners, and a former Inland Revenue prosecutor and adjudicator. His work in this area focuses on selected debt, negotiation and enforcement matters rather than general tax advice or routine compliance work.
Practical questions
Frequently asked questions
Can Inland Revenue penalties be remitted?
Inland Revenue may consider remission where the applicable grounds and supporting evidence are established. Each decision remains at Inland Revenue’s discretion.
Can a repayment proposal stop enforcement?
Inland Revenue decides whether a proposal is accepted and whether enforcement is paused or continued. A proposal should therefore be realistic, complete and supported by the required information.
What if returns or financial records are incomplete?
An accountant or tax agent may need to complete returns, reconstruct records or prepare schedules before a proposal can be properly assessed.
Does contacting Dave create a lawyer–client relationship?
No. Representation begins only after conflicts and suitability checks, acceptance of the matter and a formal Meridian Partners engagement.
What should I do with a statutory demand or urgent notice?
Record the date it was received and obtain advice promptly because legal response periods may be short. Do not assume that contacting Inland Revenue informally pauses a deadline.
Can Dave fix tax returns or provide accounting advice?
No. Dave may coordinate with the client’s accountant or tax agent, but DaveTaxNZ does not provide accounting, return-preparation or general technical tax services.
Discuss your circumstances
Start with an initial call
Contact does not create a lawyer–client relationship or confirm acceptance of a matter.