What this article covers
This guide explains:
- What bureau linking is
- The difference between Bureau and PAYE Intermediary
- How to link Smartly for payday filing
- What you need to do and when
What is bureau linking?
Bureau linking connects your business’s myIR account with Smartly (via Datacom), so we can file payday information with IRD on your behalf.
Without this link, payday filing can’t happen automatically.
Bureau vs PAYE Intermediary: What’s the difference?
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For most Calculator only customers using Smartly today, bureau linking is the correct setup.
Before you start
Make sure:
- You (or your client) are the owner or admin of the company’s myIR account
- You can access the email linked to myIR
How bureau linking works
Step 1: Smartly requests the link
We send a linking request to IRD on your behalf.
Step 2: You receive an email from IRD
- The email will reference Datacom (not Smartly)
- It will be sent to the email address registered in myIR
- The request will not appear inside myIR
This is a common point of confusion.
Step 3: Accept the linking request
- Open the IRD email
- Follow the instructions to accept the request
Important:
- The request expires after 15 days
- If it expires, a new request will need to be sent
Step 4: Confirmation
Once accepted:
- We confirm the link is active
Payday filing can then be enabled in Smartly
What you’ll need to do
To keep things running smoothly, you’ll need to:
- Watch for the IRD email
- Accept the linking request promptly
- Let us know once it’s accepted
- Ensure the correct person (myIR admin) completes this
Having trouble? Here are some FAQs
I can’t find the IRD email
- Check spam or junk folders
- Confirm the correct myIR email address
If you still can’t find it, contact IRD on 0800 377 774.
You can say: “We’ve authorised Datacom to file payday information via Smartly. We’d like to accept the bureau linking request.”
I checked myIR but can’t see anything
This is expected. Linking requests are only sent via email and do not appear in myIR.
It’s been more than 15 days
The request may have expired. Contact us and we will send a new one.
What happens if you don’t link?
If bureau linking isn’t completed:
- Payday filing will not happen automatically
- You will need to file directly with IRD
Need help?
If you’re unsure at any step, get in touch with our team. We can:
- Check if a request has been sent
- Re-send a linking request
- Confirm when you’re fully set up