Taxes and Bills
Complete guide to the financial obligations system in inZOI, covering weekly utility bills (electricity, water, property tax), the billing schedule and payment process via Tax Department messages, escalating consequences of non-payment (reminders, penalties, utility shutoffs, negative moodlets), the banking system (Narae Bank and Southwest Bank, Tier 1 deposits at 250 Meow with interest after 3 days), bank loans with ~1% interest, loan shark loans (2,500 or 5,000 Meow at 5% interest with asset seizure risk), the welfare safety net (2,000 Meow when balance drops below 1,000), and cheat commands.
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Overview
Every independent adult Zoi household in inZOI faces recurring financial obligations: weekly utility bills, optional loan repayments, and the need to manage savings. The financial system uses Meow as its currency and provides several tools for managing money, from bank accounts and deposits to emergency welfare checks and high-risk loan shark lending. Understanding these systems is essential for keeping a household running smoothly and avoiding utility shutoffs.
Weekly Utility Bills
Utility bills are the primary recurring expense. They arrive every Friday via a notification from the Tax Department on the smartphone Messages app. The payment deadline is approximately 2 days (Sunday) after the bill arrives. Bills cover three categories:
Category | What Affects Cost | How to Reduce |
|---|---|---|
Electricity | Number of electronic devices, lights, and appliances running | Turn off TVs and computers when not in use; limit powered devices |
Water | Usage from sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines, irrigation | Take shorter showers; avoid unnecessary water usage |
Property Tax | Value of the lot and furniture in the home (fixed weekly cost) | Simpler home with less expensive furniture lowers the rate |
Who Pays Bills
Only adult Zois living independently pay bills. Children's bills are covered by their parents. If a child lives with a parent or guardian, the parent's household absorbs the cost. Young Adults who move out and establish their own household begin receiving their own bills.
How to Pay
Open the smartphone (press P)
Go to the Messages app
Select the Tax Department conversation
Click "Submit Payment"
Funds are deducted automatically from the household's Meow balance. If the household does not have enough Meow, the payment button appears but the transaction will not complete until sufficient funds are available.
Consequences of Non-Payment
Ignoring bills triggers an escalating sequence of penalties:
Stage | Consequence |
|---|---|
1. Reminders | Tax Department sends follow-up messages |
2. Overdue notice | Penalty fee added to the original bill amount |
3. Electricity shutoff | All electronic devices, lights, and appliances stop working; the house goes dark at night |
4. Water shutoff | Sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets stop functioning; hygiene management becomes difficult |
5. Negative moodlets | Affected Zois receive Unpleasant and Uncomfortable status effects |
Utilities remain disconnected until the full balance (including penalties) is paid. There is no eviction for unpaid bills. The Zoi keeps their home regardless of how long bills go unpaid. The only consequences are disconnected utilities and negative moodlets.
Banking
Two banks operate in inZOI, one in each main city:
Bank | City |
|---|---|
Southwest Bank |
To open a bank account, visit either bank in person. Zois can reach the bank by personal vehicle, subway, or bus. Inside the bank, interact with the ID scanner near the counters to access banking services.
Deposits and Interest
The Tier 1 Deposit lets you deposit 250 Meow. After 3 in-game days, the deposit matures with interest and the total (principal plus interest) is automatically returned to your account. This provides a small but safe passive income stream.
Bank Loans
Banks offer property loans with relatively low interest rates (approximately 1%). When purchasing a house that exceeds your current balance, a "Receive a move-in assistance loan" option appears. Bank loans are the safer borrowing option compared to loan sharks, with predictable repayment schedules and no aggressive collection tactics.
Loan Shark
For quick cash outside the banking system, the Loan app on the smartphone connects Zois to a loan shark. Two loan amounts are available:
Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
2,500 Meow | 5% daily | Debt collectors; asset seizure |
5,000 Meow | 5% daily | Debt collectors; asset seizure |
Loan shark debt accumulates quickly due to the 5% interest rate. If payments are missed, debt collectors visit the household, and forced seizure of assets can occur, making household items unusable until the debt is resolved. Loan shark loans should be treated as a last resort for emergency bill payments.
Welfare Safety Net
When a household's Meow balance drops below 1,000 Meow, the game automatically sends a 2,000 Meow welfare check. This safety net prevents households from becoming completely destitute and ensures they can cover basic expenses like food and bills. The welfare system triggers automatically through a notification and does not need to be applied for.
Cheat Commands
Two cheat commands bypass the billing system entirely. Enable cheats through Psycat's Guide first, then open the console with Ctrl+Shift+C:
Command | Effect |
|---|---|
stopUtilityBills true | Prevents the Tax Department from sending any bills; no charges appear on Friday |
stopUtilityBills false | Resumes normal billing |
autoUtilityBills true | Automatically pays all bills the moment they arrive; Meow is still deducted |
autoUtilityBills false | Resumes manual bill payment |
Financial Management Tips
Pay bills on Friday when they arrive. Waiting until the deadline risks penalties if you forget.
Reduce electricity costs by turning off TVs, computers, and lights when Zois are not using them.
Property tax is based on lot and furniture value. A modest home with affordable furniture keeps this cost low.
Make bank deposits regularly. The 250 Meow Tier 1 Deposit provides free interest income every 3 days.
Avoid loan shark debt unless absolutely necessary. The 5% interest accumulates rapidly and asset seizure is a real risk.
Bank loans for property purchases are far safer than loan shark loans, with ~1% interest and no aggressive collection.
The welfare check (2,000 Meow when below 1,000) provides emergency relief, but relying on it long-term is not sustainable.
A steady career is the most reliable way to cover recurring bills. Even entry-level jobs earn enough for basic utility costs.
Use the autoUtilityBills cheat if you want to focus on gameplay without worrying about manual bill payment.