Requesting an extension to your filing deadline

What to do if you need more time

New legislation for incorporated societies

Between 5 October 2023 and 5 April 2026 there are 2 Acts in force

The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) applies if your society —

  • registered for the first time on or after 5 October 2023, or
  • registered before 5 October 2023 and has reregistered since then.

The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (1908 Act) applies if your society registered before 5 October 2023 and has not yet reregistered.

Incorporated societies must file a copy of their financial statements with the Companies Office each year (unless registered with Charities Services). If your society is registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) if must also complete an annual return.

If there are specific circumstances that mean you need more time to file your financial statements or financial statements and annual return, you can apply for a filing extension. You’ll need to give a reason for the extension and provide supporting documentation where applicable.

How to apply for a filing extension

To request a filing extension, you will need:

  • a RealMe® login
  • an online services account for the Incorporated Societies Register
  • authority to manage information on behalf of the society

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

Confirming your authority to manage information

Step by step

  1. Log in to your online services account.
  2. On your dashboard, under ‘My Businesses’, select the incorporated society for which you wish to request a filing extension
  3. On the 'View Details' page, from the ‘Maintain Incorporated Society’ menu, select
    • ‘Request an Extension for Filing a Financial Statement’ (if it's a 1908 Act society), or
    • ‘Request an Extension for Filing an Annual Return and Financial Statements’ (if it’s a 2022 Act society).
  4. On the request form, provide a reason for the extension, and any supporting documents, if required.
  5. Select ‘Submit’.
Request an annual filing extension

What happens next

Once we have received and reviewed your application for an extension, we will let you know our decision. If your request is granted, we’ll confirm how long the extension will be.

All help topics

Getting started on the register 8 guides

Find out about incorporated societies and the Incorporated Societies Register, and what's needed to register and maintain an incorporated society in New Zealand.

Searching the Incorporated Societies Register 2 guides

Find out how to search our registers for information about incorporated societies, and other entities

Starting an incorporated society 5 guides

To incorporate a society in New Zealand you must submit an application, along with the required documents, and pay a registration fee.

Reregistering under the 2022 Act 6 guides

To remain on the register, existing societies will need to reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 before April 2026

Running your incorporated society 7 guides

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to keep your details on the register up to date, and follow the rules that apply to incorporated societies and how they are run.

Meeting your annual filing requirements 3 guides

Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements. Societies registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 must also complete an annual return.

Keeping society details up to date 8 guides

Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements and update other society details when they change.

Ending an incorporated society 3 guides

When an incorporated society reaches the end of its 'life', it must be wound up and removed from the register. Here we outline the ways this can be done, and the steps involved.

Restoring an incorporated society to the register 2 guides

An application can be made to us to have an incorporated society restored to the register, by the society itself, or by a creditor. You'll need to provide evidence to support your application.

Forms and fees 3 guides

The forms you might need to update a society's details, along with the fees that apply and ways you can pay.

Managing your online account 7 guides

To update society details on the Register of Incorporated Societies you need a Companies Office online services account. It's free to set up, but fees apply for some transactions.