A second student loan debtor has been arrested as she tried to board her flight back to Australia. The government has others on their list. What steps can you take to ensure that you are not targeted?
- If you have any overdue student loan arrears, that are not under a formal arrangement with the IRD, you are at risk of arrest.
- The larger your arrears the greater your risk. Other factors count too.
- Student loan debts do not go away unless the person dies or becomes bankrupt.
- Do not think that because you have never heard from the IRD, that you do not have a problem. If you live overseas, and have not paid anything towards your student loan debt for many years, you probably have a very serious problem.
- Ignorance does not make you safe.
- Even if your student loan account looks like it has no arrears, if the IRD does not have the correct travel dates, your account details may be unreliable and you could be at risk.
- If your arrears have been taken care of via bankruptcy, or hardship, you are probably safe. Bankrupts need permission to leave New Zealand, however, this is not usually a problem.
- Unless you are 100% sure that you are up to date on your student loan debt, and have zero overdue arrears, you should check your situation. You can contact the IRD directly, or we can check for you quickly and discreetly if you have your IRD number (a fee applies).
- Do not ignore your student loan debt. If you do not know what it is, you need to find out. If you have arrears you need to have a plan to deal with it. The problem will only get worse if you leave it.
- If you have arrears and want to be safe from arrest or other IRD action your options are: a formal arrangement with the IRD, becoming bankrupt, applying for and being granted hardship, or paying.
- Please contact us to discuss your options. We provide prompt, confidential assistance to many people in this situation.