RewardPay Review - The Definitive New Zealand Guide
If you want to earn free business and first class flights by paying IRD and ACC bills with an American Express card, RewardPay is the first (and only) service in New Zealand to offer this. Our guide explains the costs, pros and cons, key facts and frequently asked questions
Updated 11 November 2025
Summary
To help you decide on whether RewardPay is valuable to you, our guide covers:
Important: What are the points worth?
Our View:
The table below shows the fees charged upfront, and then after-tax using the company tax rate of 28%.
Summary
- RewardPay is a service that lets you pay the IRD, ACC and other business bills (e.g. suppliers, landlords, contractors, tax pooling) with an American Express credit card. As the IRD and ACC only accept Visa and Mastercard Debit and Credit Cards via myIR, RewardPay gives business owners with an American Express card the option to use it to pay ongoing IRD and ACC bills following a very similar process.
- RewardPay is suitable for business owners who want to earn rewards (specifically American Express Reward Points) by using their card for IRD, ACC and everyday expenses instead of bank transfers (or using a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card).
- RewardPay charges a fee to the payer (e.g. person making the payment), which adds to the total cost of the transaction. This is 1.67% for IRD and ACC payments and 2.35% for general expenses. However, as these amounts are pre-tax, the after-tax costs (and arguably true out-of-pocket) for IRD and ACC payments fall to as low as 1.01% for 39% PAYE earners. For companies the cost is 1.20% (IRD & ACC) and 1.69% (other expenses) based on companies paying 28% tax on profit.
- Know This: Whether or not you use RewardPay will depend on how useful and valuable Membership Reward Points are to you.
To help you decide on whether RewardPay is valuable to you, our guide covers:
- What is RewardPay? Can I Trust it?
- Beyond IRD & ACC Payments - Paying Suppliers, Landlords, Contractors and More
- Earning Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars with RewardPay
- Pros and Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Conclusion
Important: What are the points worth?
- In a simple case, a business owner paying $100,000 of GST and $200,000 of PAYE costs per year would pay $5,010 in RewardPay fees (1.67% of $300,000).
- This spend would generate 600,000 Membership Reward Points, which translates to 300,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points, 200,000 Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Points, 300,000 Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles, or 5,093 Airpoints Dollars. The transaction's true 'after tax' cost is $3,607 (for 28% company taxpayers) or $3,056 (for 39% PAYE taxpayers).
- With 300,000 Qantas/Asia Miles points equating to a return Auckland to Europe business class flight (worth approx. $10,000 - $12,000), RewardPay has a clear advantage of rewarding business owners who use the points for valuable flights.
- In preparing this review, we confirmed with American Express that business owners could use any personal AMEX card for general business purposes. In addition, further Membership Rewards points can be earned outside the IRD and ACC payments as part of everyday card use.
- Beyond the points or miles being earned, cashflow is also an important benefit for many small business owners who want an interest-free line of credit.
Our View:
- If you're unsure whether or not RewardPay is suitable for you and you're not invested in earning Amex points, likely, RewardPay isn't for you.
- Many New Zealand business owners already use a credit card to pay IRD and ACC, manage cash flow and, in some cases, earn points. RewardPay is aimed at business owners who want to earn enough reward points from everyday business costs to fly themselves and family members to and from Europe in business or first class with top-tier airlines such as Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
- If this doesn't sound like you, then RewardPay isn't suitable as a service.
- If there's a risk you'll be unable to make the credit card repayments on time and/or you have a history of late credit card payments, the interest costs incurred make using RewardPay uneconomic and best avoided. The service is for cashflow-positive businesses with sufficient working capital to meet the needs of their day-to-day operations well ahead of any payment deadline.
The table below shows the fees charged upfront, and then after-tax using the company tax rate of 28%.
Organisation to Pay |
Single payment amount |
After Tax Rate |
IRD & ACC |
1.67% |
1.20% |
Other (Landlord, Suppliers, Contractors etc) |
2.35% |
1.69% |
MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh explains how earning flights with RewardPay works in the video below:
A rewards-specific video is published to help prospective RewardPay customers understand the costs vs the value received for Qantas and Singapore Airlines business class travel:
Getting Started with RewardPay: First, You'll Need an American Express Card
To qualify for the AMEX Gold Business Card, you'll need:
Important: For businesses already spending significantly on IRD, ACC, and supplier payments, we believe the card essentially pays for itself through the rewards earned. A $50,000 annual spend generates 100,000 Membership Rewards Points - enough for substantial travel rewards that far exceed the card's annual fee and RewardPay's transaction fee. Our guide to the best use of AMEX points has more details.
You can read our detailed American Express Gold Business Card review for more information about how it works with RewardPay and maximises your rewards potential.
- If you're interested in RewardPay but don't yet have an American Express card, you'll likely want one that earns Membership Rewards Points to maximise the value of RewardPay.
- While there are several options available, the American Express Gold Business Card stands out as particularly well-suited for business owners planning to use RewardPay.
- The Gold Business Card earns 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent (double what most cards offer), includes up to 50 days interest-free payment terms for superior cash flow, and comes with a 50,000 point signup bonus when you spend $1,000 in your first two months. Its fee is $95 annually, it's one of the most accessible business cards available - you can compare alternative business credit cards here.
- Our View: What makes this particularly relevant for RewardPay users is the combination of high earning rate and extended payment terms. When you're paying substantial IRD or ACC bills through RewardPay, earning 2 points per dollar means you're accumulating rewards twice as fast. The 50-day payment terms also complement RewardPay's cash flow benefits perfectly.
To qualify for the AMEX Gold Business Card, you'll need:
- New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
- A business registered with the NZ Companies Office
- Business revenue of $60,000+ annually
- To be at least 18 years old
Important: For businesses already spending significantly on IRD, ACC, and supplier payments, we believe the card essentially pays for itself through the rewards earned. A $50,000 annual spend generates 100,000 Membership Rewards Points - enough for substantial travel rewards that far exceed the card's annual fee and RewardPay's transaction fee. Our guide to the best use of AMEX points has more details.
You can read our detailed American Express Gold Business Card review for more information about how it works with RewardPay and maximises your rewards potential.
What is RewardPay? Can I Trust it?
RewardPay was first set up in Australia in 2016 before expanding to New Zealand in 2022. The company offers one service – paying IRD and ACC bills using an American Express credit card and earning Membership Reward Points.
All payments are protected by American Express' chargeback policy and paid directly to the IRD or ACC. Therefore, the balance you owe to either the IRD or ACC will reduce with every payment made - RewardPay advises that payments made before 5pm will be applied the next day.
All payments are protected by American Express' chargeback policy and paid directly to the IRD or ACC. Therefore, the balance you owe to either the IRD or ACC will reduce with every payment made - RewardPay advises that payments made before 5pm will be applied the next day.
What fees does RewardPay charge? What are the benefits?
RewardPay charges 1.67% (IRD and ACC) and $2.35% (other expenses) on top of the balance owed. For example, if your IRD GST bill is $10,000, your AMEX will be charged $10,167, and you'll earn 20,334 Membership Reward Points.
Know This: There is no annual fee, nor is there a minimum transaction fee. Therefore, you can spend as little or as much as you like as long as your American Express card has a sufficient limit.
Know This: There is no annual fee, nor is there a minimum transaction fee. Therefore, you can spend as little or as much as you like as long as your American Express card has a sufficient limit.
Can I use a Visa or Mastercard to pay IRD and ACC bills?
- Yes - the IRD accepts both debit and credit Visa and Mastercard cards. There is a 1.42% 'convenience' fee for doing so..
- The ACC also accepts both debit and credit Visa and Mastercard cards. There is a 1.90% 'convenience' fee for doing so.
- These surcharges/fees, like those charged by RewardPay, are also tax deductible.
What American Express Card is Best for RewardPay?
American Express has two business credit cards - the Gold Business Card and Business Card which are geared towards business owners who prefer these cards over consumer cards (outlined below).
With regards to consumer cards, from our rewards credit card research, American Express offers two top-earning cards – one earns Membership Rewards points ($1 spent = 2 points), and one earns Airpoints Dollars ($70 spent = 1 Airpoints Dollar). Each card has a specific annual fee, travel and insurance benefits and other perks. You can read more about these cards here:
Our view is simple – unless you want to accumulate Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars, the Membership Rewards-earning cards offer far better value and flexibility. This is because you can convert the points to many airline programs and advance book first or business class flights to hundreds of destinations from Auckland. Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars can only be used on Air New Zealand-operated flights or via partner airlines using the partner-specifc convoluted booking process, which regularly blocks business and first class availability.
With regards to consumer cards, from our rewards credit card research, American Express offers two top-earning cards – one earns Membership Rewards points ($1 spent = 2 points), and one earns Airpoints Dollars ($70 spent = 1 Airpoints Dollar). Each card has a specific annual fee, travel and insurance benefits and other perks. You can read more about these cards here:
Our view is simple – unless you want to accumulate Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars, the Membership Rewards-earning cards offer far better value and flexibility. This is because you can convert the points to many airline programs and advance book first or business class flights to hundreds of destinations from Auckland. Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars can only be used on Air New Zealand-operated flights or via partner airlines using the partner-specifc convoluted booking process, which regularly blocks business and first class availability.
MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his experience with RewardPay:
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"As MoneyHub's founder and a business owner, I needed a way to pay IRD bills and grew tired of using my Visa card, which comes with a pricy surcharge and little reward value. However, RewardPay is the only service in New Zealand enabling me to use my AMEX Gold Business Card to pay IRD bills, and it lets me earn valuable Membership Rewards Points on GST and other payments, turning tax into business-class flights is a game-changer.
My Experience I use RewardPay to pay GST bills to the Inland Revenue Department. The pricing is simple - a $10,000 GST bill costs $10,167 (1.67% fee, $167), dropping to an effective $120 (1.20%) after a 28% company tax deduction, a small price for big rewards. The Standout? Redeeming points for Qatar Airways business-class flights. A $100,000 GST bill earns 200,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points (2 points per $1). I convert these to Qatar's Privilege Club (at 3:1), earning ~66,600 Avios, roughly 75% of a business-class Auckland-to-Europe ticket. The process is simple, and Qatar's lie-flat suites and on-demand dining make it an exceptional experience. RewardPay's portal is a breeze - intuitive and secure. Setup requires only my business name, NZBN, bank account details, phone number, address, and email address. Payments are easy: enter the IRD number, payee code, and amount, and confirm. Hassle-free brilliance. What I like about RewardPay:
My Takeaway: RewardPay is a winner for MoneyHub. Turning GST into Qatar Airways business class flights, with a user-friendly interface and cash flow perks, is unmatched. It's not for all, if AMEX points aren't your thing or you can't repay your credit card on time on time, it's not going to work. However, for cashflow-positive businesses, it maximises AMEX points potential. I'm a huge fan of the generosity and flexibility it offers in rewards". Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, not financial advice. Assess RewardPay for your business and tax needs. Video Overview: In the video below, you can see how I make a GST payment using RewardPay: |
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder |
Warning: Pay Early and Verify Date and Account Details to Avoid Late Payment Fees
- Correct Payment Code Format: Ensure the payment code accurately reflects the period-end date; e.g., for a 31 May 2025 GST payment, it should read "GST 31052025". This allows the IRD to correctly match and allocate the payment to your balance using the correct date. An incorrect date may lead to unassigned payments and potential late fees from the IRD. Check this before you submit - make sure it's for the correct period ending date.
- Plan Early to Account for Processing Delays: RewardPay transactions typically take 1-3 wording days to process through AMEX and reach the IRD. To avoid late payment penalties, submit payments well in advance of the IRD due date to accommodate these delays. We suggest five working days before the IRD's due date to be safe.
Beyond IRD & ACC Payments - Paying Suppliers, Landlords, Contractors and More
Update - In August 2024, RewardPay upgraded its offering and can now be used to pay suppliers, landlords and anyone who doesn't accept AMEX.
Full Details:
This improvement increases the value of RewardPay's service in two ways:
The cost of using RewardPay depends on the vendor:
Here's an example to clarify how this works:
Suppose you use RewardPay to make a $10,000 rent payment. At the standard 2.35% fee, your total charge would be $10,235. However, after factoring in company tax deductions, your real cost would be $10,169. This reduction reflects the after-tax benefit of using the service, making it more cost-effective for businesses when paying suppliers or bills. The Points and Cash Flow benefits are explained in detail in the FAQs below.
New Features in the RewardPay Portal:
RewardPay has introduced several updates that enhance user experience:
Our View: We like what RewardPay is doing, and this enhancement makes managing cash flow easier and more cost-effective if you can put as much (or everything) on your AMEX as possible. Our research into Lines of Credit and Business Loans confirms the high cost of short-term debt - AMEX and RewardPay make this much cheaper with up to 55 days interest-free and a set percentage upfront fee per transaction.
RewardPay has supplied our research team with two videos focusing on hospitality and construction business owners and their experiences with how RewardPay works in their industry. We suggest watching these to better understand how businesses like yours benefit from this service and contacting RewardPay for any further details.
We suggest watching two videos RewardPay have published to see how this works: the first is specific to a trade business, while the other relates to a restaurant.
Full Details:
- RewardPay has launched an expanded service that allows businesses to use their American Express card to pay suppliers who typically don't accept Amex, such as those who only accept bank transfers.
- By doing so, business owners can make everyday payments using their AMEX card for rent, contractor fees, tax obligations, tax pooling intermediaries and other expenses. This extension extends RewardPay's current service, which allows customers to pay IRD and ACC fees using their AMEX.
This improvement increases the value of RewardPay's service in two ways:
- You will earn AMEX Membership Rewards Points and/or Airpoints Dollars: You continue earning valuable Amex Membership Rewards Points or Airpoints Dollars on payments typically made via bank transfer.
- Improved cash flow: By using your AMEX card instead of relying on a line of credit, you can better manage your business's cash flow while maximising rewards.
The cost of using RewardPay depends on the vendor:
- IRD payments: 1.67% (or 1.20% after tax deductions)
- Other payments: 2.35% (or 1.69% after tax deductions)
Here's an example to clarify how this works:
Suppose you use RewardPay to make a $10,000 rent payment. At the standard 2.35% fee, your total charge would be $10,235. However, after factoring in company tax deductions, your real cost would be $10,169. This reduction reflects the after-tax benefit of using the service, making it more cost-effective for businesses when paying suppliers or bills. The Points and Cash Flow benefits are explained in detail in the FAQs below.
New Features in the RewardPay Portal:
RewardPay has introduced several updates that enhance user experience:
- Scheduled and Future Payments: You can now set up payments for a later date, giving you flexibility and control over your cash flow.
- Multi-User Accounts: Businesses with teams can assign access to different users within the portal for seamless management.
- KYC: There's a Know Your Customer (KYC) setup process for non-government payments. RewardPay has streamlined this process to make it as simple as possible for businesses to complete.
Our View: We like what RewardPay is doing, and this enhancement makes managing cash flow easier and more cost-effective if you can put as much (or everything) on your AMEX as possible. Our research into Lines of Credit and Business Loans confirms the high cost of short-term debt - AMEX and RewardPay make this much cheaper with up to 55 days interest-free and a set percentage upfront fee per transaction.
RewardPay has supplied our research team with two videos focusing on hospitality and construction business owners and their experiences with how RewardPay works in their industry. We suggest watching these to better understand how businesses like yours benefit from this service and contacting RewardPay for any further details.
We suggest watching two videos RewardPay have published to see how this works: the first is specific to a trade business, while the other relates to a restaurant.
Tax Benefits and Consequences of using RewardPay
MoneyHub is not an accountant; this information is not business or financial advice. The 'after-tax rates' shown in the above schedule assume your business is profitable and you are paying tax on business profits or PAYE.
- When you use RewardPay, you reduce your taxable profit by the amount of the fee (as this is a cost going out of the business). For example, with company tax at 28% and the top PAYE level being 39%, deducting RewardPay as a business expense is equivalent to a 28%, 39% (or whatever top marginal tax rate you pay) reduction in the cost of the points being earned.
- However, as the Membership Rewards Points and/or Airpoints Dollars are not taxed for some businesses, there is a significant benefit to using an American Express card.
Getting Started with RewardPay: First, You'll Need an American Express Card
To qualify for the AMEX Gold Business Card, you'll need:
Important: For businesses already spending significantly on IRD, ACC, and supplier payments, we believe the card essentially pays for itself through the rewards earned. A $50,000 annual spend generates 100,000 Membership Rewards Points - enough for substantial travel rewards that far exceed the card's annual fee and RewardPay's transaction fee. Our guide to the best use of AMEX points has more details.
You can read our detailed American Express Gold Business Card review for more information about how it works with RewardPay and maximises your rewards potential.
- If you're interested in RewardPay but don't yet have an American Express card, you'll likely want one that earns Membership Rewards Points to maximise the value of RewardPay.
- While there are several options available, the American Express Gold Business Card stands out as particularly well-suited for business owners planning to use RewardPay.
- The Gold Business Card earns 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent (double what most cards offer), includes up to 50 days interest-free payment terms for superior cash flow, and comes with a 50,000 point signup bonus when you spend $1,000 in your first two months. Its fee is $95 annually, it's one of the most accessible business cards available - you can compare alternative business credit cards here.
- Our View: What makes this particularly relevant for RewardPay users is the combination of high earning rate and extended payment terms. When you're paying substantial IRD or ACC bills through RewardPay, earning 2 points per dollar means you're accumulating rewards twice as fast. The 50-day payment terms also complement RewardPay's cash flow benefits perfectly.
To qualify for the AMEX Gold Business Card, you'll need:
- New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
- A business registered with the NZ Companies Office
- Business revenue of $60,000+ annually
- To be at least 18 years old
Important: For businesses already spending significantly on IRD, ACC, and supplier payments, we believe the card essentially pays for itself through the rewards earned. A $50,000 annual spend generates 100,000 Membership Rewards Points - enough for substantial travel rewards that far exceed the card's annual fee and RewardPay's transaction fee. Our guide to the best use of AMEX points has more details.
You can read our detailed American Express Gold Business Card review for more information about how it works with RewardPay and maximises your rewards potential.
Earning Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars with RewardPay
Yes, RewardPay offers an add-on service that allows you to earn Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars alongside American Express Membership Rewards Points with every payment. This is cost-effective for businesses (assuming the fees are tax-deductible - they may not be, so you will need to seek tax advice), lowering the net cost. Below, we outline the two earning options, providing clear examples for a $10,000 GST payment, with a focus on the additional cost for Airpoints Dollars.
Earning Options
RewardPay provides two rates to earn Airpoints Dollars:
These fees are in addition to the standard 1.67% RewardPay fee for IRD payments (e.g., GST). All charges are tax-deductible, reducing the effective cost for businesses at a 28% company tax rate or individuals at a 39% PAYE rate.
Example: $10,000 GST Payment
Here’s a breakdown for a $10,000 GST bill paid to the IRD via RewardPay using an American Express card, detailing the standard fee and the additional cost for Airpoints Dollars:
Base Payment and Standard RewardPay Fee
Option 1: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Spent
Option 2: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $200 Spent
Earning Options
RewardPay provides two rates to earn Airpoints Dollars:
- Option 1: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spent = 1.15% additional fee
- Option 2: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $200 spent = 0.60% additional fee
These fees are in addition to the standard 1.67% RewardPay fee for IRD payments (e.g., GST). All charges are tax-deductible, reducing the effective cost for businesses at a 28% company tax rate or individuals at a 39% PAYE rate.
Example: $10,000 GST Payment
Here’s a breakdown for a $10,000 GST bill paid to the IRD via RewardPay using an American Express card, detailing the standard fee and the additional cost for Airpoints Dollars:
Base Payment and Standard RewardPay Fee
- GST Bill: $10,000
- Standard RewardPay Fee: 1.67% = $167
- Total Base Charge to AMEX: $10,000 + $167 = $10,167
Option 1: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Spent
- Airpoints Earning Rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100
- Additional Fee for Airpoints: 1.15% of $10,000 = $115
- Airpoints Dollars Earned: $10,000 ÷ $100 = 100 Airpoints Dollars
- After-Tax Cost of Airpoints Fee (28% Company Rate):
- Tax deduction: 28% of $115 = $32.20
- Net cost for 100 Airpoints Dollars $115 - $32.20 = $82.80
- After-Tax Cost of Airpoints Fee (39% PAYE Rate):
- Tax deduction: 39% of $115 = $44.85
- Net cost for 100 Airpoints Dollars: $115 - $44.85 = $70
Option 2: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $200 Spent
- Airpoints Earning Rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $200
- Additional Fee for Airpoints: 0.60% of $10,000 = $60
- Airpoints Dollars Earned: $10,000 ÷ $200 = 50 Airpoints Dollars
- After-Tax Cost of Airpoints Fee (28% Company Rate):
- Tax deduction: 28% of $60 = $16.80
- Net cost for 50 Airpoints Dollars: $60 - $16.80 = $43.20
- After-Tax Cost of Airpoints Fee (39% PAYE Rate):
- Tax deduction: 39% of $60 = $23.40
- Net cost for 50 Airpoints Dollars: $60 - $23.40 = $36.60
RewardPay – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Tips for New Cardholders Using RewardPay:
If you apply for an AMEX card to use RewardPay, there are some considerations to be aware of:
Most suitable RewardPay users:
- Earn Membership Reward Points and/or Airpoints Dollars on everyday IRD and ACC bills – you'll earn at the highest rate each card offers, with no cap or limit to how many you can earn.
- Free up working capital and cash flow – using an American Express to pay the IRD or ACC gives you up to 51 additional cash flow days for your business (when compared to paying by bank transfer)
- RewardPay fees are only incurred on a transaction, so there's no annual fee. All fees are tax-deductible, but you can use your rewards without incurring any fringe benefits tax.
- Value for money when using an American Express (vs Visa or Mastercard) – The IRD and ACC accept debit and credit Visa and Mastercard cards, with a respective 1.42% and 1.90% 'convenience' fee. However, given RewardPay charges 1.67% for IRD and ACC payments, the benefits of using an American Express card are significant (in terms of rewards generated from points earning) given the 2022 law change scaling back Visa and Mastercard reward earning rates on credit card spend.
Cons:
- If you don't have a use for Air New Zealand Airpoints dollars, business class or first class flights for you and your family, then RewardPay has less appeal. However, it can still be used to manage cash flow.
Tips for New Cardholders Using RewardPay:
If you apply for an AMEX card to use RewardPay, there are some considerations to be aware of:
- Build a Payment History: Before making large payments, it's crucial to establish a history of smaller, regular transactions with your AMEX card. This helps build trust with the issuer and avoids sudden stops or restrictions on your account, which will likely happen without a payment history.
- Be Aware of Acceptance: AMEX cards are not universally accepted around New Zealand, so you'll need to plan your spending and payments accordingly and ensure you have alternative payment methods if necessary. Our guide to AMEX acceptance has more details.
- Prepare for Large Payments: If you plan to use RewardPay for significant tax payments, consider starting with smaller amounts to gradually increase your payment history. This approach signals to AMEX that your account is active and reliable.
- Pre-pay When Necessary: For substantial amounts, especially in the early stages of your card usage, you may need to pre-load funds onto your card. This is crucial if you have a looming deadline, as AMEX can take up to three days to credit payments to your account.
- Understand Credit Limitations: New accounts may not have the flexibility for high credit extensions immediately. You'll need to talk to AMEX before any tax payment due date and/or about your intended uses to understand potential credit limits and solutions.
- Plan Ahead for Rewards: If earning Membership Reward Points is a significant reason for using your AMEX with RewardPay, ensuring that your payment strategy aligns with the card's terms and financial plans is essential. Unexpected reductions in credit can significantly impact the rewards earned.
- Allow Processing Time: Always allow extra time for processing payments, especially around critical payment due dates like tax deadlines.
Most suitable RewardPay users:
- Business owners who already use a Mastercard or Visa credit card to pay IRD and/or ACC bills. RewardPay charges similar fees and offers a lot more reward-earning potential.
- Sole traders and owners/operators of limited liability companies with $100,000+ spend a year in IRD and ACC bills. At this level, you can comfortably start earning significant rewards.
- A partner in a small to medium-sized professional services firm who is comfortable paying IRD and ACC costs on their personal credit card. Again, doing this will help boost rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important:
- Many SMEs are enjoying the benefits of the recently improved American Express Gold Business Card
- Why it wins: 2 points per $1 spent (double the rate of most cards), 50-day payment terms for superior cash flow, plus you can pay IRD and ACC bills via RewardPay to earn points on tax obligations.
- MoneyHub runs on this card, which we use for 98%+ of our monthly business expenses, including online subscriptions, offline purchases, supplier payments via RewardPay, IRD bills, and more. The $95 annual fee pays for itself within weeks through the points we earn.
- Bonus: 50,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $1,000 in your first 2 months - worth $500+ in travel or 333 Airpoints Dollars.
- Popular with: New Zealand businesses with $60,000+ revenue who want to turn every expense into rewards while extending payment terms.
- Annual fee: $95 (our lowest business card fee, easily offset by rewards)
- Apply for AMEX Gold Business Card and read our detailed card review
What bills can I pay with RewardPay?
Merchants, suppliers, contractors, landlords, the IRD and ACC, among anyone else who you wish to pay using your RewardPay service.
Can I use RewardPay for payroll?
Yes, you can use RewardPay for payroll, provided your business has a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) and is paying contractors. Additionally, RewardPay can be used to pay your employees’ PAYE payroll tax.
Can I use RewardPay to pay tax pooling intermediaries?
Yes, RewardPay now allows you to use your American Express card to pay tax pooling intermediaries. This enhancement is part of their expanded service, enabling you to earn rewards and manage your cash flow when paying suppliers who don’t typically accept AMEX.
What are the benefits of using RewardPay compared to traditional payment methods?
Using RewardPay offers two key advantages:
- Cash Flow Flexibility: Your AMEX card, which functions as a short-term line of credit, offers up to 55 days of interest-free credit. This is especially valuable for managing cash flow without incurring high interest rates, as seen with traditional loans or lines of credit.
- Earning Points: When using RewardPay, you earn AMEX Membership Rewards Points and/or Airpoints Dollars (depending on the card) for payments that would typically be made via bank transfer.
Is the cost of RewardPay worth it for my business?
The value of RewardPay is best understood when comparing the cost of the service against the rewards you gain:
For instance, a business owner paying $100,000 in GST and $200,000 in PAYE annually would incur $5,010 in RewardPay fees (1.67% of $300,000). This spend would generate:
After-tax deductions, the true cost of this transaction is:
With 300,000 Qantas points or 200,000 Qatar Airways Avios equating to a return business class flight from Auckland to Europe (valued at approximately $10,000 - $12,000), RewardPay delivers substantial value, especially for businesses prioritising travel rewards.
For instance, a business owner paying $100,000 in GST and $200,000 in PAYE annually would incur $5,010 in RewardPay fees (1.67% of $300,000). This spend would generate:
- 600,000 Membership Rewards Points, translating to 300,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points, 200,000 Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Points, 200,000 Qatar Airways Avios, or 5,093 Airpoints Dollars.
After-tax deductions, the true cost of this transaction is:
- $3,607 for companies paying 28% tax
- $3,056 for businesses with a 39% tax rate
With 300,000 Qantas points or 200,000 Qatar Airways Avios equating to a return business class flight from Auckland to Europe (valued at approximately $10,000 - $12,000), RewardPay delivers substantial value, especially for businesses prioritising travel rewards.
What do I need to set up an account with RewardPay?
You will need to provide the following:
- Business name
- An NZBN
- New Zealand bank account number
- Phone number and address
- Email address to send a payment confirmation to
How does RewardPay make money?
While RewardPay is a private company, it takes a margin on the fee it charges cardholders to pay by American Express and what it pays American Express as a merchant. Hypothetically, as the ACC fee is 1.67%, RewardPay may have negotiated to pay American Express 1.50% on any ACC payments and books 0.17% of all ACC payments as revenue to help cover its overheads. This is an example; we have no insights into how RewardPay operates as a business.
What if RewardPay goes bust? Is the payment I made to the IRD or ACC going to go through, or am I an unsecured creditor of RewardPay?
RewardPay has been operating for nearly a decade, is debt free and, most importantly, has been profitable for many years. Furthermore, customer payment amounts are separate from RewardPay revenue and are not used in running RewardPay.
How do I join RewardPay? How much does it cost?
You can click here to sign up. There are no joining, setup or ongoing costs – you only pay a fee, which is a fixed percentage of an IRD or ACC bill, every time you use the service.
Who can use RewardPay?
Any New Zealand Business with a New Zealand business number (NZBN); sole traders can also use it as they have a NZBN.
Does RewardPay accept Visa or Mastercard?
No - RewardPay is only for American Express cardholders.
What American Express credit cards does RewardPay accept?
RewardPay accepts any New Zealand-issued American Express card. You can see all American Express cards on offer here.
How do I make a payment to the IRD and ACC? Is payment immediate?
To pay the IRD, you will need your IRD number and payee code. To pay the ACC levy, you will need the Account name, policy number and reference. Payments will always be paid out the next business day; our research team asked RewardPay about the speed and they responded saying it has "been thoroughly tested with IRD and ACC" and then confirmed "if transacting on a Friday the payment won’t be sent to the IRD until the Monday".
Are payments considered a cash advance on my credit card?
No – all payments made using RewardPay are considered a standard transaction, meaning up to 51 interest-free days apply, and you'll earn Membership Reward points.
How does RewardPay ensure my credit card is secure?
Credit cards are securely stored using encryption in your RewardPay wallet. RewardPay also tokenises all payments.
Our Conclusion
RewardPay isn't for everyone, but it will work for businesses of any size and scale. With the IRD and ACC unwilling to accept payment by American Express, RewardPay is the only service to pay IRD and ACC bills using an AMEX card.