The short answer
Every South African company and close corporation must file an annual return with CIPC within 30 business days after the anniversary of its registration date, every year, even if it is dormant. Before CIPC will accept the annual return, the company’s beneficial ownership information must be filed and up to date. Companies that stop filing are flagged as non-compliant and can eventually be deregistered.
CIPC compliance tends to sit quietly in the background until something goes wrong: a bank asks for a compliance certificate, a tender requires a clean CIPC record, or you discover the company was deregistered while you were busy running it. Annual returns and beneficial ownership filings take very little time when they are done on schedule, and a lot of time to fix when they are not.
What is a CIPC annual return?
An annual return is a yearly confirmation to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) that your company still exists and is trading (or dormant), along with key information such as its registered address, directors and financial details. It is not a tax return, and it is completely separate from your SARS obligations.
When is the annual return due?
Your annual return is due every year in the month of your company’s incorporation. The filing window opens on the anniversary of the registration date and runs for 30 business days. For example, a company registered on 14 March must file within 30 business days of 14 March each year.
You can find your company’s registration date on its registration certificate (CoR 14.3) or by searching the company on CIPC’s online services.
What does it cost?
The filing fee is based on your company’s annual turnover and starts at a small amount for dormant and very small companies, increasing in bands for larger businesses. Late filing adds a penalty on top of the base fee, so filing on time is always the cheapest option.
What is beneficial ownership, and why does it block my annual return?
A beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a company, directly or indirectly. Following amendments to the Companies Act aimed at combating money laundering and helping South Africa address its FATF grey-listing, companies must keep a register of their beneficial owners and file it with CIPC.
In practice, this means you must disclose any individual who:
- Holds 5% or more of the company’s shares, directly or through other entities such as trusts or holding companies
- Exercises significant control over the company, even without owning shares
Beneficial ownership must be filed when the company is registered, and updated within 10 business days of any change, such as a share transfer or new shareholder. CIPC’s system will not accept your annual return until your beneficial ownership filing is complete and current.
What happens if you do not file?
| Stage | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Annual return late | Late filing penalties are added, and the company is flagged as non-compliant |
| Two or more years outstanding | CIPC may begin final deregistration, which is published in the Government Gazette |
| Deregistered | The company loses its legal status, its assets can pass to the State, and bank accounts may be frozen |
| Beneficial ownership not filed | Annual return is blocked, and the company may be subject to compliance notices and administrative penalties |
A deregistered company can be reinstated, but the process is slower and more expensive than simply filing on time.
Your yearly CIPC checklist
- Diarise your company’s registration anniversary.
- Check that director, address and contact details on CIPC are correct.
- Confirm the beneficial ownership register is up to date, including any share transfers during the year.
- Prepare your turnover figure and the Financial Accountability Supplement (or audited financial statements in XBRL if the company is audited).
- File the annual return and pay the fee within the 30 business day window.
- Download and keep the confirmation for your records and for any tender or bank applications.
Not sure whether your company needs an audit or an independent review to complete the financial side? Read Audit, independent review or compilation: how your Public Interest Score decides.
How Stratwell helps
We take care of annual returns, beneficial ownership filings, director and address changes, share transfers and company registrations, and we track your deadlines so you never have to. See our company secretarial and CIPC services or ask us to check your company’s status.
Frequently asked questions
Do dormant companies have to file annual returns?
Yes. Every registered company and close corporation must file an annual return each year, even if it did not trade. If you no longer need the company, it is usually better to deregister it properly than to stop filing.
How do I check if my company is compliant with CIPC?
You can check the company’s status on CIPC’s online services. An “In Business” status means it is active. A status such as “AR Deregistration Process” or “Final Deregistration” means annual returns are outstanding and you should act quickly.
Who counts as a beneficial owner?
Any natural person who directly or indirectly owns 5% or more of the company, or who exercises effective control over it. Where shares are held through a trust or another company, you need to look through the structure to the individuals behind it.
Can my accountant file on my behalf?
Yes. Accountants and company secretaries routinely file annual returns and beneficial ownership information for their clients.
This article is general information based on CIPC requirements as at October 2026 and is not legal advice. Fees and processes change from time to time, so please confirm the current requirements before filing.
