Dear Inland Revenue Department,

It has come to my attention that the IRD CS department “red flag” paying parents on the IRD system but parents are not made aware of this.

Recently it was brought to my attention that when a IRD staff member opens your details on the IRD system that certain people are flagged on the system for whatever reason. This leads to a instant change in the manner of the communication from the IRD staffer and results in poor service and further communication.

Could you please verify what system you have in place to do this? Is it simply by a single staffer who has a pre prejudice or dislike for you?
Please supply examples and contents of said flagging.
Do paying parents get informed of this system and the consequences thereof?
How are flags applied and removed?

Your advice on this process, the application of and removal of would be greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Craig Lubbe

Dear oia,

I have received correspondence in reply to my question regarding parents being “red flagged” on their CS system.
The answer I received was vague, referring to “systems” and “procedures” that are used. Firstly I would like a list of classifications a CS officer can select from? Secondly I would like to know if this is moderated or is the CS officer simply able to write what they want about a CS paying parent based on information from others without verification? I request a copy of the flagging procedure as well as the procedure for periodic reviews of the same.

To date it has been established that IRD admin review contracts require no formal qualifications, make judgements based on independent information from a RP without verification if in fact this is the truth. They also able to make descriptions with significant financial impact on PP and do not have a professional body or insurance!
It would appear that CS officers have the ability to make any decisions about PP and will place notes on the PP screen without verification that the information provided or received is true or not. (Awaiting request for information on procedures).

It would appear that the CS system around gathering information is flawed as the information provided by other parties is not verified, I would like to understand how the IRD child support department is going to improve their “procedures and processes” to ensure that PP are not prejudiced by parties that refuse to work and or feed the IRD dishonest information.

There is no doubt that being a parent costs however the “processes and procedures” adopted by the IRD (I would like a response to this) can be manipulated by the RP to disadvantage the PP. The CS formula adopted is not the same for all, in that one child’s parent may receive $80.00 per month and another child $1,500.00 a month. How is it that 2 children say 11 years old with equal time between the PP and the RP can have such a financial disparity? This can only be classified as far as I can see as alimony not CS? Why is this process used, is the IRD aware that this causes parental alienation by RP trying to maximise the income derived from the PP’s income? Is the IRD aware that the leading cause of conflict amongst there clients is caused by financial disparity? Is the IRD aware that children from broken homes are being damaged and used as pawns based on the formula system the IRD has adopted?

It would be greatly appreciated if the IRD on this occasion can supply the information requested with backup documentation, examples and screenshots with names and financial data remove to clarify the flagging processes as well as answers to the balance of my questions.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Craig Lubbe