The Government of New Zealand has released a consultation paper, seeking public feedback on a proposed approved information sharing agreement (AISA) between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
The AISA would allow Inland Revenue and MBIE to share prescribed information with the other agency for the benefits outlined in the discussion document.
The closing date for submissions is 13 December 2024.
The Government wants to deliver better public services more efficiently. Government agencies are expected to work together and achieve better outcomes for New Zealanders. The Government also expects all New Zealanders to meet their legal obligations.
A practical way for government agencies to work together to help achieve these high-level objectives is through information sharing of specific information, for specific purposes. Such collaboration also allows for more prudent use of taxpayer funds by agencies.
Both Inland Revenue and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) hold information that, if provided to the other agency, would help the other agency better discharge their functions and duties. Currently, the Tax Administration Act 1994 and the Privacy Act 2020 do not allow the sharing of this information between the agencies.
The proposed AISA is expected to deliver the following benefits:
- Improving the administration and governance of the tax system, some MBIE administered registers, the criminal proceeds regime, and the insolvency regime.
- Enabling and co-operation on compliance and enforcement work, including:
o ensuring the efficient and effective prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of offences under the Crimes Act 1961 and legislation that either agency administers (where either agency has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence has occurred, is occurring or will occur)
o ensuring that appropriate penalties and administrative sanctions are imposed on individuals and entities under legislation that either agency administers, and –
o assisting with decision-making and collaboration on strategic approaches to compliance work and to enforcing the obligations of common customers.
- Allowing relevant information to be delivered to New Zealand businesses.
- Enabling the development of public policy (including potential costings and impact modelling for public policy proposals).
