Inland Revenue & ACC to stop accepting cheques from March 2020

It's another nail in the coffin for the humble cheque, as both Inland Revenue and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will stop accepting that form of payment method from March 2020.

The two companies are encouraging those who have access to alternative payment options such as internet banking, credit and debit cards, direct debits, cash, and EFTPOS.

Inland Revenue received more than 430,000 cheque payments in the last financial year, but the amount of cheque payments has been dropping around 20% each year, according to the firm.

ACC received approximately 25,000 cheques from business customers; however collectively cheque payments accounted for only 5% of payments to ACC and Inland Revenue.

Inland Revenue deputy commissioner Sharon Thompson says cheques are part of a paper-based world that don't fit with today's digital world.

"The number of cheques being used is spiralling down and will continue to trend that way. Electronic payments are simpler, easier and safer.

"IR already has a number of alternative ways for people to pay their tax bill. We want to help as many as possible shift to those before the technology used to process cheques comes to the end of its working life next year," says

"From 1 March 2020, Inland Revenue won't process any cheques if customers have an alternative payment option available.  We're also not accepting post-dated cheques dated 1 March or later.

Both Inland Revenue and ACC will provide support either face to face, over the phone, or with written material so customers can get on with their transition to alternative payment methods.

"Electronic payments are more efficient and secure, with only a small percentage of customers still choosing to make their payments by cheque. Our digital portal MyACC for Business makes it really easy for business customers to set up and manage their payments," says ACC head of business customer service delivery Phil Riley.

"We'll be working closely with our affected customers to give them as much support as we can to make this change.

Thompson adds that there are almost six months before the change happens, so customers have time to contact the agencies or their banks.

Inland Revenue - options for payment:

• Electronic via internet banking or direct debit in MyIR. Paying this way minimises delays and includes a formal notification of the date and time the payment was made to Inland Revenue.
• Customers can make payment by debit/credit card over the phone, through the unauthenticated payment page on the Inland Revenue website, and through myIR.
• Taxpayers can also set up direct debits in myIR.
• Cash or EFTPOS are still payment options but only at Westpac branches. They're not accepted at Inland Revenue offices.

Accident Compensation Corporation – options for payment:

• Electronic payment via internet banking.
• Direct debit payments and monthly instalments can be set up via MyACC for Business.
• Payment by debit/credit card over the phone, through the unauthenticated payment page on the ACC website, and through MyACC for Business.
• Cash or EFTPOS are still payment options but only at Westpac branches. They're not accepted at ACC offices.