What powers do the Inland Revenue have regarding my tax affairs?

The Inland Revenue is the authorised government department responsible for the collection of taxes. It has the duty of ensuring that tax payers pay the tax due as authorised by Parliament and set out in legislation.

In turn, each of us, as citizens, has a duty to pay whatever tax is due from us.

As far as income tax is concerned the Inland Revenue have the power to demand information about our income and calculate the appropriate tax we should pay. In doing so they must keep records about our past earnings and tax affairs.

These affairs are treated in strict confidence, within the law. In other words they will only disclose information about us as the law permits to:

• check accuracy of information
• prevent or detect crime
• protect public funds