When is my CIPC annual return due?

Your annual return is due on the anniversary of your company registration date. For example, if your company was registered on 15 March 2020, your annual return is due by 15 March each year. There is a 30-day grace period after the due date before penalties apply.

What happens if I do not file my CIPC annual return?

Failure to file results in escalating penalties. After a period of non-compliance (typically 2+ years of outstanding returns), CIPC will list the company as deregistering. The company loses its legal status, directors become personally liable for debts, and the company name becomes available for registration by others.

How much does a CIPC annual return cost?

The standard annual return fee for a private company (Pty Ltd) with standard share capital is R350. For close corporations, the fee is R250. Additional fees apply if you have non-standard share capital or if you are filing late. Penalties accrue the longer the return is overdue.

How to File CIPC Annual Returns: Complete Guide

Every registered company and close corporation in South Africa must file an annual return with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). This is separate from your tax return — it is a compliance filing that keeps your company in good standing. This guide explains everything you need to know.

What Is a CIPC Annual Return?

An annual return is a mandatory filing that confirms your company is still active and updates your registered details with CIPC. It includes:

Confirmation of your company's registered address and postal address
Director and officer details
Shareholding structure
Payment of the annual prescribed fee

Important: An annual return at CIPC is not the same as your annual tax return to SARS. You must file both separately.

When Is Your Annual Return Due?

Your annual return is due on the anniversary of your company's registration date (the date on your CIPC registration certificate).

Example:

If your company was registered on 15 March 2024, your annual return is due on 15 March each year (2025, 2026, 2027, etc.).

CIPC provides a 30-day grace period after the due date. If you file within this period, no penalty is charged. After 30 days, penalties begin to accrue.

Annual Return Fees for 2026

Entity Type	Standard Fee	Late Filing Penalty
Private Company (Pty) Ltd — standard share capital	R350	R100 + additional per month overdue
Private Company (Pty) Ltd — non-standard share capital	R750	R100 + additional per month overdue
Close Corporation (CC)	R250	R50 + additional per month overdue
Non-Profit Company (NPC)	R50	R50 + additional per month overdue

How to File Your CIPC Annual Return

Method 1: Online via CIPC e-Services

The easiest method. You will need:

A CIPC e-Services customer code (register at eservices.cipc.co.za)
Your company registration number
Payment method (credit card or EFT)

Step-by-Step Online Process

Log in to the CIPC e-Services portal at eservices.cipc.co.za
Navigate to "Annual Returns" under the "Companies" menu
Select the entity for which you want to file
Review and update your registered address, director details, and shareholding
Confirm the annual return fee and make payment
Download the acknowledgement receipt as proof of filing

Method 2: Through a Registered Service Provider

Many businesses use registered agents (including accounting firms like Tanosa Group) to file annual returns on their behalf. We have direct access to the CIPC portal and can file for you. This is recommended if you:

Do not have a CIPC customer code
Have multiple companies to manage
Are not sure if your previous returns were filed
Have outstanding penalties to resolve

Consequences of Not Filing

If you do not file your annual return, the consequences escalate over time:

Time Overdue	Consequence
0–30 days	Grace period — no penalty
30 days – 1 year	Late filing penalty applies
1–2 years	Increased penalties, company flagged as non-compliant
2+ years	CIPC initiates deregistration process
Deregistered	Company ceases to exist legally. Directors become personally liable for debts. Company name available for others to register.

How to Reinstate a Deregistered Company

If your company has been deregistered by CIPC, you can apply for reinstatement. The process involves:

Filing all outstanding annual returns
Paying all outstanding fees and penalties
Submitting a formal application for reinstatement (CoR40.1 form)
Paying the reinstatement fee

Processing can take 4-8 weeks. During this period, the company cannot trade or enter into contracts. We strongly recommend keeping your annual returns up to date to avoid this situation.

Annual Return vs. Tax Return: What Is the Difference?

Many business owners confuse these two filings:

	CIPC Annual Return	SARS Tax Return (ITR14)
Purpose	Confirm company is active	Declare income and pay tax
Filing body	CIPC	SARS
Due date	Anniversary of registration	Within 12 months of financial year-end
Fee	R50 – R750 (depends on entity type)	Free to file (tax is paid on income, not for filing)
Penalty for non-compliance	CIPC penalties + deregistration	SARS penalties + interest + potential legal action

Tips for Staying Compliant

Mark your company's anniversary date in your calendar with a 30-day reminder
File within the grace period to avoid penalties
Keep your registered address and director details updated
Use a professional service to track and file all returns for you
Remember: CIPC returns are separate from SARS returns — both are mandatory

Need Help With CIPC Compliance?

Tanosa Group handles CIPC annual return filing for clients across Bloemfontein and the Free State. We also assist with reinstatements, director changes, and address updates.

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