Close Corporation Annual Returns

An annual return is a summary of the most relevant information pertaining to a company and close corporation. By lodging annual returns companies and close corporations ensure that the CIPC is in possession of the latest information. It also confirms that the company and close corporation is still in business or will be doing business in the near future.

All companies (including external companies) and close corporations are required by law to lodge their annual returns with CIPC (previously CIPRO) within a certain period of time every year. An annual return is a statutory return in terms of the Companies and Close Corporations Acts and therefore MUST be complied with. Failure to do so will result in the Commission assuming that the company and/or close corporation is not doing business or is not intending on doing business in the near future. Non-compliance with annual returns may lead to deregistration, which has the effect that the juristic personality is withdrawn and the company or close corporation ceases to exist.

Filing of annual returns

Annual returns for local companies, external companies and close corporations must be filed within 30 business days from the anniversary date of incorporation. If filing later that the 30 business days an increased fee is payable up until the date the local company, or close corporation is deregistered due to non-compliance.

No manual lodgment of annual returns will be allowed, due to the volumes involved. To lodge a return electronically, click here.

Annual return fees

Supporting documents

CIPC currently waives the requirement for financial statements to be filed with the local company, external company or close corporation. Customers are advised to regularly refer to the CIPC website for details as to when such financials must be lodged with an annual return.