Inland Revenue aka IRD accepts 0800 toll free calls from mobile phone

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › Inland Revenue aka IRD accepts 0800 toll free calls from mobile phone

iamthefirst

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#205136 31-Oct-2016 13:09

IRD only had a selection of toll free lines (High net wealth individuals, Kiwisaver, child support, info express and one more I can't remember) available for cellphone originated calls previously.

Since some point of time unknown to myself, they have opened up at least 5 more lines to accept calls from mobile phones.

0800 377 774

0800 775 247

0800 443 553

0800 257 843

0800 377 772

0800 377 776

I know that previously you could just dial any of the selection of toll free lines in the first sentence then say what you are after instead to bypass restrictions. But those without this knowledge can also ring 0800 from cell phones without paying for calls/ using minutes.

My personal opinion is that this is unwise. People tend to be quite ignorant and even those with unlimited calling minutes just dial 0800 numbers because they are just too lazy/can't be stuffed because it doesn't cost them money either way.

But in the end, any extra cost incurred by IRD or any government departments indirectly affect every New Zealander, so if you have an unlimited calling plan please refrain from using 0800 numbers when calling government departments.

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cisconz
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#1661497 31-Oct-2016 15:46

What would make that really useful would be a list of where those 0800's point so we have the landline numbers to dial

Hmmmm

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iamthefirst

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#1661501 31-Oct-2016 15:52

www.ird.govt.nz/contact-us for comprehensive ist of IRD numbers including landline numbers.

UHD

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#1661580 31-Oct-2016 17:09

I haven't owned a landline for going on ten years. Am I supposed to get one so that the government saves a few?

iamthefirst

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#1661608 31-Oct-2016 18:06

No. You dont have to get a landline to call them. You can use your mobile phone to do that. And it has become cost free since some point in time this year. However if you have an unlimited national calling plan then you are only benefiting toll free service provider and your mobile service provider. The money IRD give away to telcos ultimately comes out of yoir pocket. Do you want me to write up an algorithm for you if it is so hard to understand?

tardtasticx

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#1661625 31-Oct-2016 18:35

iamthefirst: ...Do you want me to write up an algorithm for you if it is so hard to understand?

Wtf, do you work for the IRD or something? You seem to be taking this super personal when its a complete non-issue.

If you're worried about the government spending money on stuff they don't have to then just say the word and I'll give you a list and a half of other examples, and I can tell you now it'll be more than the cost of those few extra 0800 calls IRD are receiving.

gzt

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#1661633 31-Oct-2016 19:02

Anyone know the likely bulk rate for terminating mobile calls? It's likely to be pretty low isn't it.

Also with business typically paying call charging per minute on landline calls anyway and that would apply to 0800. I'd expect a marginal difference as part of the total package.

In some circumstances it could be effectively zero.

iamthefirst

24 posts

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#1661646 31-Oct-2016 19:18

gzt: Anyone know the likely bulk rate for terminating mobile calls? It's likely to be pretty low isn't it.

Also with business typically paying call charging per minute on landline calls anyway and that would apply to 0800. I'd expect a marginal difference as part of the total package.

In some circumstances it could be effectively zero.

At my work, it's 3cpm for landline originated calls and 14cpm for mobile originated calls. For bigger organisations they are likely to be lower, but the ratio will still be similar between Landline vs Mobile originated calls.

So if you are receiving millions of minutes of calls per month then things add up quickly.

iamthefirst

24 posts

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#1661654 31-Oct-2016 19:32

tardtasticx:

iamthefirst: ...Do you want me to write up an algorithm for you if it is so hard to understand?

Wtf, do you work for the IRD or something? You seem to be taking this super personal when its a complete non-issue.

If you're worried about the government spending money on stuff they don't have to then just say the word and I'll give you a list and a half of other examples, and I can tell you now it'll be more than the cost of those few extra 0800 calls IRD are receiving.

1. It is personal not because I work there because I am a taxpayer.

2. A list and a half of other example of government wastage is not something I have control of. This one is something I have control of.

3. It doesn't cost any extra for you to do it as long as you have the capacity, i.e. unlimited calling minutes.

4. I am the OP who initially posted this money saving tip but added a kind reminder to be considerate. Then someone goes on and complain about getting a landline which I never even suggested.

5. Then you keep moaning about government wastage that has nothing to do with this topic.

6. You just made it personal to yourself by belittling something I care deeply about. This is not a complete non-issue. This is a serious issue. I don't want telcos to make more money. I want Government to start wasting less. toll free call cost for the IRD is in the ranges of $millions. A sudden increase in mobile originated calls could push this cost to the equivalent of hundreds of more people's wages.

7. Instead focusing on non-factual/personally estimate call cost assessment, try to look at the big picture and understand what I was trying to do.

richms

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#1661670 31-Oct-2016 19:53

Cost of the call is stuff all compared to the cost of the person answering and helping if you need that.

Really you should worry about why people are calling instead of sorting out other ways, instead of the small cost of the call.

Richard rich.ms

iamthefirst

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#1661675 31-Oct-2016 20:04

richms:

Cost of the call is stuff all compared to the cost of the person answering and helping if you need that.

Really you should worry about why people are calling instead of sorting out other ways, instead of the small cost of the call.

I don't think you understand what's important. It's about attitude of individuals. If you would like to know more about call 028 2556 9167

freitasm

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#1661781 31-Oct-2016 22:52

No need to write any algorithm. This was just plain rude. Better accept others have different opinions and that we do not like attitudes like this here.

My technology disclosure

networkn

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#1661792 31-Oct-2016 23:00

I may need an algorithm I am utterly lost as to what this thread is about :)

Geektastic

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#1661793 31-Oct-2016 23:03

The amount of tax we pay the buggers, the least they can do is pay for the odd phone call.

networkn

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#1661796 31-Oct-2016 23:06

iamthefirst:

richms:

Cost of the call is stuff all compared to the cost of the person answering and helping if you need that.

Really you should worry about why people are calling instead of sorting out other ways, instead of the small cost of the call.

I don't think you understand what's important. It's about attitude of individuals. If you would like to know more about call 028 xxxx 9xx7

What is that number? Please tell me it's not YOUR mobile number? I think you should remove it, for fear of abuse (from telemarketers and others who harvest such information).

I think people who live in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones.

Far be it from me to tell another what to be passionate about, but I am concerned you care so deeply about this issue, honestly.

AidanS

458 posts

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#1661799 31-Oct-2016 23:22

The Government spends nearly $80bn a year but we're worried about a tiny phone bill of ONE of many Government departments?

I'm sure there are many more inefficiencies within Government that cost way more than the 0800 numbers just for IRD...

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