When I first started out my career in accounting (many years ago!), I remember you could write a letter to Inland Revenue and you sometimes might not receive a reply for 12 months!

How times have changed.

These days Inland Revenue are on top of things like they have never been before.  They have introduced new initiatives over the past few years mainly based around access via the internet.

Coupled with this is a new desire on their part to want to seem friendly and able to assist.

Sure, get on the wrong side of them and things may not be so friendly, but they have a job to do for the Government and they seem to be doing it better.

Last night I looked at a very good example of the new Inland Revenue.  I looked for some information on the IR website about the Research & Development (R & D) Loss Tax Credit system and how to apply for cash early.  What did I find? - an updated easy to understand explanation (no big words, just common sense) and a short 2-minute video interview with a business that had applied for and got the tax credit.  Brilliant!  If you are interested check out the link...

http://www.ird.govt.nz/campaigns/2016/campaign-research-development-loss-tax-credit.html

So well done Inland Revenue.  I still don't like paying the tax but I like what you are doing.

Craig