Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Social Security Act 2018

Administration - Payment of benefits, tax on benefits, debts and deductions - Debts and deductions

353: Debts and deductions

You could also call this:

“How the government can get back money you shouldn't have received or need to pay”

When you receive money you’re not supposed to get, or if you have to pay a penalty, the government can take steps to get that money back. These steps are set out in rules made under section 444.

The rules explain how the government can recover money that you owe them. This might happen if you’ve been paid too much by mistake or if you have to pay a penalty.

The rules also allow the government to send a notice to someone who pays you money, like your employer. This notice can tell them to take some money out of your pay and give it to the government to cover what you owe.

There are also other related matters covered in these rules. All of these help make sure that if you owe money to the government, they have ways to get it back.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783847.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Banking and loans
Government and voting > Government departments
Previous

352: Recovery amount paid in excess of amount properly payable, or

“Getting back extra tax paid on your benefit”

Next

354: Recovery of penalty from beneficiary who obtains by fraud amount in excess of entitlement, or

“MSD can make you pay back extra money if you lie to get benefits you shouldn't have”

Part 6 Administration
Payment of benefits, tax on benefits, debts and deductions: Debts and deductions

353Debts and deductions

  1. The following matters are provided for by regulations made under section 444:

  2. recovery of sums (for example, identified overpayments, or penalties) specified as debts due to the Crown:
    1. issuing of deduction notices that require a debtor’s payer to deduct, and pay MSD, an amount due:
      1. related matters.

        Compare