Government information-sharing rules are changing
Privacy rules for information sharing between Inland Revenue and social development services are being changed.
Privacy (Information Sharing Agreement between Inland Revenue and Ministry of Social Development) Amendment Order 2026
What's changing
- MSD may use PAYE income information from IRD when changing benefits or specified subsidies without giving advance notice.
- MSD may use child support information from IRD when changing specified subsidies without giving advance notice.
- After changing a benefit or specified subsidy, MSD must promptly explain the change and review and appeal rights.
- The information-sharing agreement’s date in the Privacy Act is corrected from September 2018 to July 2017.
Who's affected
People receiving benefits, income-related rent, or social housing may be affected if MSD uses information from IRD to change their support.
When
The changes start on 8 October 2026, except the PAYE-income rules for specified subsidies, which start on 3 July 2028.
What you might need to do
- If MSD changes your benefit or specified subsidy, check its explanation of the change and your review and appeal rights.
- If you disagree with the decision, consider using the review or appeal process MSD tells you about.
Background
The government says the order updates the 2017 information-sharing agreement between IRD and MSD. It adds PAYE income information and specified subsidies to the situations covered, and corrects the agreement’s date in the Privacy Act.