What is NZCO? What's the Companies Office Return? Is it the same as a tax return?

What is the NZCO?

NZCO is short for New Zealand Companies Office.It is part of MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) and administers a number of registers, including a register of companies, their directors and shareholders, and related documents.

What's a Companies Office Return?

All companies are required by the Companies Act 1993 to file an annual return with the Companies Office regardless of whether or not they are trading.

If an annual return is not filed by the due date, the company risks being removed from the register as the Registrar may be satisfied that the company has ceased to carry on business.

IS IT THE SAME AS A TAX RETURN?

An annual Companies Office return is not a tax return, it's simply an annual requirement for a company to provide certain details to the Companies Office.
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For more details, see this page at the Companies Office.

Does EpsomTax.com Handle This For Me?

We certainly do. At this time, we don't charge for filing your annual Companies Office return. Most accountants charge $80-$100 + GST, but we don't. Honestly, it only takes a minute or two so we don't feel we can justify charging for it.

We also offer an optional compliance package, which we'll contact you about at the same time.  Questions? Please contact us.

Do I Have to Have an Annual Meeting?

Some essential ingredients for a productive annual meeting i.e. a notebook and a pen

Yes, it is a requirement for all NZ companies. But don't despair! It's a great chance to go out for dinner on the company. Keep your receipts for the meal, drinks, taxi, babysitter.  While you're out (or shortly thereafter), make sure to complete this annual meeting form, which will be sent to us when you click Submit. You can even attach your receipts to it!

As always, if you are not sure or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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