Annual returns for overseas companies
Confirming your company details on the Overseas Companies Register each year
Every year you need to confirm that the information about your overseas company on the Overseas Register is correct and pay a fee of $49.74 plus GST. This is called an annual return.
Completing your annual return is not the same as submitting a tax return. It is a legal requirement that confirms your overseas company is still active. If you do not complete it on time, the Registrar may remove your company from the Overseas Register.
In this guide
The company details you need to confirm
To complete your annual return, you need to check the following:
Company addresses
These are:
- The address of the place of business or the principal place of business in New Zealand.
- The people in New Zealand who can receive documents on behalf of the company (including a physical address for each).
- The company's address for communication (this is the address we will use to contact your company).
Director details
The full legal name and residential address of each director. Email addresses are optional.
The company details you can update
You can update your company’s addresses on the Overseas Register while you complete your annual return. You can also update director details, unless your company is incorporated in Australia.
Updating director details for Australian companies
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and the New Zealand Companies Office exchange information electronically. When you update directors' details on the ASIC register the Overseas Register is updated automatically.
When your annual return is due
When you first register your company on our Overseas Register you can choose a ‘filing month’ for its annual returns.
You can change your company's filing month for future returns while you’re completing your current return.
If you are not sure when your company is next due to complete its annual return, you can search the register.
Receiving reminders
When your annual return is due we will send reminders by email to:
- your company
- its directors (where an email address has been provided), and
- anyone who has confirmed authority to update your company’s details on the register.
If you have provided us with a New Zealand mobile phone number, we will also send you reminder text messages.
Keep your contact details up to date
To make sure you get our email reminders, keep your company’s contact details and your online account email address up to date.
How to complete your annual return
To complete your annual return you will need:
- a RealMe® login
- an online account with us
- confirmed authority with us, and
- card or banking information to pay the $49.74 plus GST fee.
Step by step
- Log in to the Companies Register.
- Select your company from the dashboard.
- Check and update your company addresses.
- Check and update your director details
Note — If your company is registered with ASIC you cannot update these details here. Update directors' details on the ASIC register, and this will automatically update the Overseas Register. - Confirm each section is correct by ticking the box.
- Confirm who is authorising this return (a director or authorised person).
- Check the email address for reminders and update it if needed.
- (Optional) Change your filing month or update a NZ mobile number for text reminders
- Submit the return and pay the fee - $49.74 plus GST.
- Wait for the payment confirmation before closing the window
Find out what payment options are available
We will send you an email when your annual return is complete. Any changes you made will be added to the register automatically.
Complete your company's annual returnWhat happens if you do not complete an annual return
If you do not complete your annual return, the Registrar may remove your company from the Overseas Register. This could have serious consequences for your company, especially if it is still carrying on business in New Zealand.
Overseas companies cannot be restored to the register, you would have to register the company again and pay another registration fee.
Other guides in
Managing an overseas company in New Zealand
- Registering your company to do business in New Zealand
- How overseas companies set up as a NZ business
- How to transfer your company's incorporation to NZ
- Financial reporting for overseas companies
- Financial reporting for New Zealand companies registered in Australia
- Updating directors' details on the Overseas Register
- Updating addresses of overseas companies
- Changing the name of an overseas company
- Updating the constitution of an overseas company
- How to remove a company from the Overseas Register