How to file your CIPC annual return

Every company and close corporation must file an annual return with CIPC every year, even if it is dormant. Miss it and CIPC can deregister the business.

R100 to R4,000depending on turnover and timing

30 business daysafter your anniversary (companies)

Every yearincluding dormant businesses

Last checked against official sources on 2 November 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official portal before you submit.

Who needs it

Every registered company: (Pty) Ltd, Ltd, Inc, NPC, SOC and external companies
Every close corporation (CC)
Dormant businesses too: they pay the lowest fee band
It applies from the first anniversary of registration

Before you start

Tick these off as you gather them.

Your enterprise number, CIPC customer code and password
Your anniversary date (the date the business was registered)
Turnover from your latest approved financial statements, which sets your fee
Your financial statements or the Financial Accountability Supplement, where required (companies)
A current beneficial ownership declaration filed with CIPC. CIPC blocks annual returns without it
Current registered office, email and director details
A bank card or funds in your CIPC customer account

Step by step

File or update your beneficial ownership declaration with CIPC first, and check it shows as filed.
Screenshot of this step coming soon: beneficial ownership filing
Log in to CIPC eServices or BizPortal with your customer code.
Open the annual returns option and enter your enterprise number. Check the company details shown are correct.
Screenshot of this step coming soon: annual return company details
Enter your turnover for each outstanding year. The system works out the fee.
Upload financial statements or complete the Financial Accountability Supplement where required.
Pay by card or from your customer balance.
Screenshot of this step coming soon: payment screen
Save the filing confirmation. Returns cannot be edited after filing, so check before you submit.

Open the official portal: CIPC

Fix a problem

The issues people hit most, and what to do.

CIPC will not let me submit

Since 15 April 2024 CIPC blocks annual returns until your beneficial ownership information is filed and current. File the beneficial ownership declaration first, confirm it is on record, then try again.

My beneficial ownership filing was rejected

Common causes are shareholdings that do not add up to 100%, missing owners, or outdated supporting documents. Correct the details and file again.

I entered the wrong turnover

Filed returns cannot be edited. Ask CIPC for a correction (credit or debit note) through its enquiry system, with supporting documents.

My company is being deregistered

Two or more years of missed returns starts CIPC's deregistration process. Filing all outstanding returns (and beneficial ownership) while the process runs can stop it. If the business was already finally deregistered, it must be reinstated first.

I never got a warning from CIPC

CIPC uses the contact details on record. Update your registered email and phone number, and check your status on BizPortal or eServices.

What it costs

Business type and annual turnover	On time	Late
Company, under R1 million (incl. dormant)	R100	R150
Company, R1 million to under R10 million	R450	R600
Company, R10 million to under R25 million	R2,000	R2,500
Company, R25 million and above	R3,000	R4,000
Close corporation, under R50 million	R100	R250
Close corporation, R50 million and above	R4,000	R4,150

Fees from the CIPC fee schedules (Companies Regulations Table CR 2B and the Close Corporations regulations), as published by secondary sources. Beneficial ownership filing is free. Fees can change, so confirm on CIPC's annual return calculator before paying. Agents charge a service fee on top.

How long it takes

Filing online takes one session once your beneficial ownership is current and your figures are ready. You get a confirmation at the end.

When it expires

Companies: file within 30 business days after the anniversary of registration. After that the late fee applies
Close corporations: file from the start of the anniversary month to the end of the following month
Companies must also submit CIPC's annual compliance checklist, which is free

What comes next

Update beneficial ownership whenever owners change
Keep your COIDA letter of good standing current if you employ staff
SARS company tax returns are a separate obligation

When is yours due, and what will it cost?

Enter your registration date and turnover to see your deadline and fee.

Work out my due date and fee

Sources

Get a reminder before your annual return is due

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