What is a CIPC annual return?
A CIPC annual return is a statutory requirement under the Companies Act (2008) and Close Corporations Act (1984). Every registered company (Pty Ltd, Ltd, Inc) and close corporation (CC) in South Africa must file one with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) every year.
It is not a tax return. It is a declaration to CIPC confirming that your company is still active and that its registered information is up to date.
What information is required?
The annual return asks you to confirm or update:
- Registered business address
- Registered name
- Director / member details (names, ID numbers)
- Whether the company is still active
- For companies with turnover above R1 million: Annual Financial Statements (AFS) must be submitted
When is it due?
The due date depends on your company's anniversary month — the month in which the company was originally registered.
- Private companies (Pty Ltd): Within 30 business days of the anniversary date each year
- Close corporations (CC): Within 30 business days of the anniversary date
- Public companies and state-owned companies: Within 30 business days
CIPC gives a short grace period, but submitting on time avoids penalties.
How much does it cost?
CIPC charges a filing fee based on turnover:
| Annual Turnover | Filing Fee (approximate) | |---|---| | R0 – R1 million | R100 | | R1 million – R10 million | R450 | | R10 million – R25 million | R2 000 | | Above R25 million | R3 000 |
Fees are updated periodically on the CIPC website.
Beneficial Ownership — a new hard requirement
Since 1 July 2024, your Beneficial Ownership (BO) declaration must be filed and up to date before CIPC will accept your annual return. This is not optional — CIPC's system will reject your annual return submission until your BO filing is confirmed.
BO declarations are filed at beneficial.cipc.co.za and require details of every person who ultimately owns or controls 5% or more of the company. If your BO declaration has lapsed or was never filed, address this before your annual return deadline.
What happens if you don't file?
Failure to file your annual return has serious consequences:
- Penalty fees — CIPC charges a penalty per month of non-compliance, which accumulates quickly
- Deregistration — after two consecutive years of non-compliance, CIPC can deregister your company. Once deregistered, the company's assets technically vest in the state
- Reinstatement required — reinstating a deregistered company is expensive, time-consuming, and requires legal assistance
Many business owners only discover their company has been deregistered when they try to open a bank account, apply for a tender, or access SARS eFiling.
Who is responsible for filing?
For a Pty Ltd, the directors are responsible. For a CC, the members. If you're still deciding between structures, see our comparison of sole proprietor vs Pty Ltd — annual returns are one of the ongoing compliance costs that comes with incorporating. In practice, many businesses delegate this filing to their accountant to ensure it is never missed.
FinSup manages CIPC annual return filings for all our clients as part of our financial statements and compliance service.
Related reading
- Sole Proprietor vs Pty Ltd: Which Is Right for Your Business?
- When Does Your Business Need to Register for VAT?
Do financial statements need to be filed with CIPC?
It depends on your company size:
- Turnover below R1 million: No AFS required — just the annual return declaration
- Turnover R1 million – R10 million (companies that do not require audit): Compilations or management accounts are typically acceptable
- Public interest score of 100+: Independent review or audit required
The Public Interest Score (PIS) is calculated using a formula involving turnover, employees, debt, and number of beneficial owners. Ask your accountant if you are unsure whether your company crosses the threshold.
How FinSup handles CIPC compliance
We prepare your annual financial statements to the required standard and submit your CIPC annual return on time — so you never face deregistration risk or penalty accumulation. Contact us to make sure your company is up to date.