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Quick answer: Every company must file an annual return with the companies registry every year, within 30 business days starting from the day after the anniversary of its registration date. Since July 2024 the beneficial ownership declaration must be filed with it. Missing returns leads to deregistration.
What an annual return is
It is a yearly confirmation to the companies registry that the company is still active, with its current details. It is a recurring obligation for every company and close corporation, even if the company did no business that year. It is not a tax return; that goes to SARS separately.
When it is due
Within 30 business days, counted from the day after the anniversary of your registration date. If your company was registered on 9 September, the window opens on 10 September each year. Close corporations follow a slightly different window, from the start of their anniversary month to the end of the following month.
What gets filed with it
- Beneficial ownership. Since 1 July 2024 the annual return cannot be completed without the beneficial ownership filing.
- Financial information. Companies whose financial statements must be audited file them with the return. Other companies file a financial accountability supplement after the annual return.
What it costs
The government fee depends on the company's turnover band. Filing late adds a penalty, and the longer you wait, the more you risk deregistration.
If you miss it
The companies registry starts the deregistration process to remove non-compliant companies from its active records. Filing all outstanding returns before final deregistration cancels the process. If the company is finally deregistered, it can only be restored through re-instatement, which takes more time and paperwork. See company statuses.
Never miss one again
We file annual returns and beneficial ownership declarations from R650, and can remind you each year.
Company Registration from Digitalx, priced in writing before we start.