Hon Peter Dunne
Minister of Revenue
Monday 12 March 2011
Media Statement
Extension of filing time provision extended for Canterbury
“It’s one year on since the big earthquake in Canterbury and Government recognises that people in Canterbury are still
dealing with very difficult circumstances,” says Revenue Minister Peter Dunne.
“The Government has therefore extended a temporary measure introduced after the February earthquakes for a further six
months,” Mr Dunne announced today.
The Canterbury Earthquake (Inland Revenue Acts) Amendment Order 2012 continues until 1 October 2012, Inland Revenue's
ability to extend time limits for meeting tax obligations. This measure provides extra time for businesses to prepare
and file returns that in many cases, would otherwise fall due at the end of the month.
The Commissioner of Inland Revenue currently has the discretion to extend statutory tax dates on a case or
class-of-cases basis. Following discussions with Canterbury based practitioners, Inland Revenue’s discretion to extend
time limits has been continued for a further six months, in recognition that taxpayers and agents are still experiencing
difficulties meeting some time limits specified in tax legislation, as many businesses are still dealing with lost
records and disrupted systems.
“Despite everything they have to contend with, Christchurch businesses have made great efforts in complying with their
tax obligations. Extending this temporary measure is a recognition of the difficulties people are still facing and is a
practical measure we can take to help those businesses get back on their feet,” says Mr Dunne.
Further information on the extensions of time to comply with tax obligations is contained in a fact sheet on Inland
Revenue’s policy website at taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz.
ENDS