Signatures cause authentic problem for IRD

By Chris Barton

Faulty digital signatures - used to authenticate users of Inland Revenues' ir-File system - are making it impossible for some businesses to electronically file their PAYE data.

A disgruntled user told the Business Herald after getting his password and log-in ID, he connected to ir-File and successfully downloaded his digital signature, which is a unique computer-generated certificate.

But on reconnecting to Inland Revenue's Web site to begin his PAYE filing, he found the certificate hadn't properly installed and would not authenticate his PC.

After a number of calls to swamped Inland Revenue help-desk, he finally got through on Saturday morning and was told there had been problems with certificates on some machines.

He was advised he would not be charged a late filing fee if he missed the May 5 deadline, and that someone would be in touch when the problem was sorted out.

Inland Revenue strategic projects manager Allan Foubister confirmed the help-desk had received between 15 and 20 calls related to disappearing certificates. It is unknown at present what is causing the problem.

Mr Foubister also acknowledged there were problems with the ir-File Web server. A message on the Web site dated 23/4/99 reads: "ir-File is operational. We are experiencing intermittent problems. Should you experience a problem please try again later.

Mr Foubister said the site was occasionally crashing - resulting in one or two brief (about five minute) outages a day - but that he expected the teething problems to be resolved.

The latest glitches follow an outcry last month when it was revealed the EDS-developed system would not work for businesses using Macintosh computers.