Reg Assistance
CIPC annual return filing, done for you
Every company and close corporation in South Africa has to file an annual return with CIPC. Since 1 July 2024, your beneficial ownership must be up to date first. Create a free account and we'll handle the filing.
Takes under a minute. Fixed fee for your turnover bracket. No subscription.
- Fixed fees, no subscriptions
- No queues or office visits
- Based in Centurion, Pretoria
- Independent provider, not part of CIPC
What is a CIPC annual return?
An annual return is a yearly filing that tells the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) your company or close corporation is still active and that its details on the public register are correct.
It applies to private companies, close corporations, non-profit companies and external companies. It is not a tax return: your SARS filings (such as the ITR14) are completely separate, with different deadlines and different consequences.
Dormant companies are not exempt. A company that didn't trade all year still has to file, because the annual return is how CIPC knows the company still exists.
CIPC annual return deadline: when is yours due?
Your deadline is not a fixed date for everyone, and it is not tied to your financial year-end or tax year. It runs from your incorporation anniversary, the date on your Certificate of Incorporation.
Companies (Pty) Ltd: file within 30 business days after your incorporation anniversary.
Close corporations: file from the first day of your anniversary month until the end of the following month.
Find your annual return window
Your incorporation date is on your registration certificate.
Directors assume the annual return follows the financial year-end. It follows the incorporation anniversary. That mix-up is behind most missed filings.
Beneficial ownership: the step that now blocks your annual return
Since 1 July 2024, CIPC will not accept an annual return until the company's beneficial ownership (BO) filing is up to date. If it isn't, the return is blocked, however correct everything else is.
A beneficial owner is a natural person who holds 5% or more of the company, directly or indirectly, or who exercises effective control over it. Where shares are held through a company or trust, CIPC expects you to look through to the people behind it.
BO is not a once-off job. It has to stay current from year to year, so it is worth checking before every annual return, not just at registration.
How much does a CIPC annual return cost?
CIPC's own fee for an annual return depends on your company's annual turnover: the higher the turnover bracket, the higher the fee. Reg Assistance charges a fixed fee for each bracket, with no hourly rates and no subscription.
Our prices are available to registered clients. Create a free account and you'll see your price straight away, along with a portal to submit and track your request.
Depending on your company's size and public interest score, financial statements may also need to go in with the return. We tell you up front if yours do.
See your price in under a minute
Create a free account, choose annual returns filing and pick your turnover bracket.
What happens if you don't file your annual return?
Late filing attracts penalties. If a company misses its annual returns for two or more consecutive years, CIPC can begin deregistration. A deregistered company loses its legal standing: it can't contract, open or keep bank accounts, or trade lawfully until it is restored.
Deregistration also tends to surface at the worst moment, such as when a bank, a tender or a client asks for proof that the company is in good standing.
Company already deregistered? How reinstatement works
A deregistered company can be restored through a re-instatement application (form CoR40.5). Outstanding annual returns, beneficial ownership and any required financial statements have to be brought up to date as part of the process, so reinstatement is a full compliance catch-up rather than a single form.
The earlier it is dealt with, the simpler it is. A company in the early notice stage is generally easier to restore than one that has been struck off the register.
How to file a CIPC annual return yourself
If you'd rather do it on your own, this is the usual route. Screens change from time to time, so treat it as a guide.
- 1
Make sure beneficial ownership is current
File or update your BO declaration first, or the return can't go through.
- 2
Log in to CIPC eServices
Use your customer code and password. If you don't have a profile yet, register one and link your company.
- 3
Select your company and start the annual return
Check the entity details shown are still correct before you continue.
- 4
Declare your annual turnover
This sets the fee bracket, so use the correct figure for the period.
- 5
Pay the CIPC fee and submit
Keep the payment confirmation for your records.
- 6
Download your proof of filing
Banks, tender portals and clients often ask for it.
Or let Reg Assistance file it for you
We deal with CIPC so you don't have to. Here is how it works:
- 1
Create your free account
It takes under a minute, and your price appears straight away.
- 2
Request your annual return filing
Choose annual returns, enter your company details and turnover bracket.
- 3
We file with CIPC
We check beneficial ownership first, then lodge the return. If we need sensitive items such as CIPC login details or financial statements, we send you a secure form by email. We don't store them in the portal.
- 4
Track it and collect your proof
Follow the status in your portal and receive your confirmation when it's done.
Have these ready
- ✓ Company name and registration number
- ✓ Incorporation date (on your registration certificate)
- ✓ An estimate of annual turnover for the period
- ✓ Names, ID numbers and percentage holdings of anyone with 5% or more
Filing it yourself vs. with Reg Assistance
| On your own | With Reg Assistance | |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficial ownership | You check and file it first, or the return is blocked | We check it's in order before we file |
| Missed years | You work out what's outstanding | We review what's outstanding and tell you what's needed |
| Dealing with CIPC | You handle eServices and any errors | We handle CIPC, you track progress in your portal |
| Cost | CIPC's official fee | A fixed fee for your bracket, visible free when you sign up |
Frequently asked questions
What is a CIPC annual return?
An annual return is a mandatory yearly filing that confirms your company or close corporation is still active and keeps your details on the CIPC register current. Every registered entity must file one every year, whether or not it traded.
When is my CIPC annual return due?
Companies must file within 30 business days after their incorporation anniversary. Close corporations can file from the first day of their anniversary month until the end of the following month. The deadline follows your incorporation date, not your financial year-end.
How much does a CIPC annual return cost?
CIPC's fee depends on your company's annual turnover bracket. Reg Assistance charges a fixed fee for each bracket. Create a free account on our site to see your price straight away.
Is an annual return the same as a SARS tax return?
No. They are separate filings with separate deadlines. Filing your ITR14 with SARS does not file your CIPC annual return, and filing your annual return does not satisfy any SARS obligation.
Do dormant companies need to file an annual return?
Yes. A company that did not trade still has to file every year. The annual return is what tells CIPC the company still exists, so it does not depend on whether the company earned any income.
What is beneficial ownership and why does it matter for my annual return?
Beneficial ownership is a declaration of the natural persons who hold 5% or more of a company, or who exercise effective control over it. Since 1 July 2024, CIPC will not accept an annual return until the company's beneficial ownership filing is up to date.
What happens if I file my annual return late or not at all?
Late filing attracts penalties. If a company misses its annual returns for two or more consecutive years, CIPC can begin the deregistration process, and a deregistered company loses its legal standing until it is reinstated.
Can a deregistered company be restored?
Yes. A deregistered company can apply for re-instatement using form CoR40.5. Outstanding annual returns, beneficial ownership and any required financial statements need to be brought up to date as part of the process.
Can Reg Assistance help if I have missed several years?
Yes. Create a free account and tell us about your company. We will review what is outstanding and tell you what needs to be filed before we start.
Is Reg Assistance part of CIPC?
No. Reg Assistance is an independent private service provider based in Centurion, Pretoria. We are not affiliated with CIPC or any government body. We prepare and submit applications to CIPC on behalf of our clients.
Don't let your company get deregistered
Create a free account, see your price, and have your annual return filed correctly.