Societies urged to register

Charities Services is warning that nearly 2000 charities are at risk of de-registration if they fail to re-register under the new Incorporated Societies Act by April 5 (Easter Sunday).

The 2022 Act modernises the laws and the way societies need to operate.

Registered charities that are also incorporated societies should also make sure they have re-registered with the Companies Office (or taken other action) and afterwards updated their information with Charities Services.

Failing to re-register as an incorporated society would mean a society ceases to exist as an incorporated society and loses its IRD number. It may also affect the operation of its bank accounts, the tax deductibility of donations, contracts and funding agreements, and individual members’ liability.

Charities Services says there are still a large number of groups such as community clubs, cultural groups and religious organisations, which haven’t yet re-registered.

They recommend checking on the Incorporated Societies Register to see if their charity has re-registered a new constitution under the Act.

“If you haven’t completed re-registration you need to get cracking as time is running out and there are steps you need to take such as holding a general meeting to agree a new constitution before you can re-register,” Charities Services says.

The Charities Register can be found here: https://register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/Search

The Incorporated Societies Register can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/4db68e46