Every company and close corporation in South Africa has to file an annual return with CIPC. It's one of the most-forgotten obligations for small businesses — and forgetting it can quietly get your company deregistered. Here's what you need to know.
What is a CIPC annual return?
An annual return is a yearly confirmation to CIPC that your company still exists and its details (directors, address, contact) are up to date. It's how CIPC keeps the companies register accurate.
It's NOT your tax return
This trips people up constantly: the CIPC annual return is completely separate from your SARS income tax return (ITR14). One keeps you registered as a company; the other declares your tax. You have to do both.
When is it due?
Your annual return is due each year within 30 business days after the anniversary of your registration date. (Close corporations have a slightly different window tied to their financial year.)
What does it cost?
The fee depends on your turnover. For companies:
- Under R1 million: R100
- R1m – under R10m: R450
- R10m – under R25m: R2,000
- R25m or more: R3,000
Close corporations pay R100 under R50m turnover and R4,000 above. Work out yours with our CIPC annual return fee calculator.
What happens if you don't file?
CIPC charges penalties for late filing, and if you keep ignoring it, CIPC will deregister your company. A deregistered company legally ceases to exist — its bank accounts can be frozen and it can't legally trade or contract. Reinstating it is a slow, painful process.
Don't let it slip
The annual return is cheap and quick — the danger is simply forgetting, because it's only once a year. 360books keeps your CIPC anniversary and your SARS deadlines on one compliance calendar and nudges you before each one, so your company stays in good standing.