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Tax - New Zealand: Error: 'Filing obligation not met' when lodging return

Updated over a month ago

! Error with Lodgement
IRx return for xxxx, period ending 2023-03-31 failed lodgement.
Reason: IRD Response: Filing Obligation not met -

The return did not meet the filing obligation for the period, compared to the IRD's records. This error may occur in different scenarios:

  1. LTC - IR4 / IR7
    The Form Type you are trying to send the IRD differs from what they are expecting. For example, you may be trying to lodge an IR7, where the IRD is expecting an IR4 return for that IRD number (or vice versa). Please check MyIR and APS to compare whether the form types are set the same.

  2. Any Return Type
    The Balance Date on the return may not match the IRD's expectation. Double-check that the balance date matches in both MyIR and APS.

  3. IR4 / IR4J
    The company is a consolidated group member and should only be filing an IR4J. The IR4 should be filed under the consolidated group's representative company.
    An IR4J cannot be created and submitted by itself via APS, so this would need to be submitted using MyIR.

  4. IR4 / IR6 - Non-Active Entity
    Ensure the entity is Active as per the IRD's records and that it has not been flagged as a Non-Active entity. Confirm with IRD that there is a return expected.

  5. IR6 - The trust is not registered correctly
    If the trust’s tax status has changed (e.g., it has been deregistered or closed), an IR6 may no longer be required.

  6. Commencement Date
    If this is a new entity, check that the Commencement Date matches IRD's records and that it falls in the correct period you are attempting to submit.

  7. A prior return is missing
    If the IRD requires previous years’ returns to be filed first, the system may reject the current submission.

  8. Incorrect or incomplete details in the return
    If key details (such as tax year, entity type, or IRD number) do not match the IRD’s records, the system may not accept the filing.

If you have checked all of the above and everything appears correct, please contact your IR Account Manager and advise them of the error being received. They will be able to investigate the issue for any issues with the Tax Payers setup at the IRD's end.

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