CIPC Annual Returns: Complete Filing Guide 2025

All companies and close corporations registered in South Africa must file annual returns with CIPC. This guide explains requirements, deadlines, and the filing process.

What Are CIPC Annual Returns?

Annual returns are mandatory filings that update CIPC on your company's current status, including directors, shareholders, financial information, and registered address.

Who Must File?

Mandatory for:

• Private companies (Pty Ltd)
• Public companies
• Non-profit companies (NPC)
• Close corporations (CC)
• Personal liability companies
• State-owned companies

Exempt:

• Sole proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Trusts (unless company structure)

Annual Return Requirements

Information Required

Company Details:

• Company name and registration number
• Registered office address
• Postal address
• Principal business address

Directors and Officers:

• Current directors (names, ID numbers, addresses)
• Company secretary (if applicable)
• Prescribed officers
• Auditor details

Shareholders:

• Current shareholders
• Share allocation
• Changes in shareholding
• Beneficial ownership information

Financial Information:

• Financial year-end date
• Accounting period
• Annual turnover (range)
• Number of employees

Compliance:

• B-BBEE status
• Industry classification
• Tax compliance status

Deadlines and Timeline

Filing Deadline

Standard Rule: Within 30 business days of company anniversary date

Anniversary Date: The date your company was registered

Example:
Company registered: 15 March 2020
Anniversary: 15 March each year
Filing deadline: 30 business days after 15 March

Consequences of Late Filing

Penalties:

• Late filing penalty: R100 initially
• Increases daily after deadline
• Can reach R1,000+
• Accrues until filed

Deregistration Risk:

• Continued non-compliance can lead to deregistration
• Director liability increases
• Company status: "In default"
• Cannot do business legally

Financial Year-End vs Anniversary

Important Distinction:

Financial year-end: When your accounting year closes (can be any date)
Anniversary date: CIPC registration date (never changes)

You file annual returns based on anniversary, NOT financial year-end.

Filing Costs 2025

CIPC Fees

Annual Return Filing:

• Standard fee: R125
• Paid online via CIPC e-Services
• Instant payment confirmation

Late Filing Penalty:

• Starts at R100
• Increases over time
• Added to filing fee

Restoration (if deregistered):

• Application fee: R500 - R1,000
• Legal costs: R5,000 - R15,000
• Penalties and arrears

Professional Fees (Optional)

Accountant/Filing Service:

• Basic filing: R500 - R1,500
• Includes document preparation
• Ensures accuracy
• Compliance verification

How to File Annual Returns

Method 1: Online via CIPC e-Services

Step-by-Step:

1. Register on CIPC e-Services

• Visit eservices.cipc.co.za
• Create customer profile
• Link company to profile

2. Log In and Navigate

• Log in to your profile
• Select "Company Annual Returns"
• Choose your company

3. Complete Annual Return Form (CoR14.1)

• Verify company details
• Update directors if changed
• Update shareholders if changed
• Update addresses if changed
• Complete financial information

4. Review and Submit

• Review all information carefully
• Attach required documents (if any)
• Submit return

5. Make Payment

• Pay R125 filing fee
• Use credit card or EFT
• Receive payment confirmation

6. Download Certificate

• Download CoR14.2 certificate
• Keep for your records
• Shows compliance

Method 2: Manual Filing (Not Recommended)

Process:

• Complete CoR14.1 form manually
• Submit at CIPC offices
• Pay in person
• Longer processing time

Why Online is Better:

• Instant submission
• Immediate certificate
• No travel required
• Faster processing

Step-by-Step Online Filing Guide

Preparation (Before You Start)

Gather Information:

• Company registration certificate
• Most recent annual return (if available)
• Current directors' details
• Current shareholders' information
• Updated addresses
• Financial year-end date
• Recent turnover estimate

Time Needed: 15-30 minutes

Detailed Filing Process

1. Access CIPC e-Services

• Go to eservices.cipc.co.za
• Log in with username and password
• Navigate to "Customer Home"

2. Select Company

• Click "Annual Returns"
• Select company from dropdown
• Verify company details displayed

3. Complete Form Sections

Section A: Company Information

• Confirm registered office address
• Update if changed
• Confirm postal address
• Confirm principal business address

Section B: Directors

• Review current directors
• Add new directors if appointed
• Remove resigned directors
• Update director addresses if changed

Section C: Company Secretary (if applicable)

• Confirm or update secretary details
• Remove if secretary resigned

Section D: Shareholders

• Review current shareholding
• Add new shareholders if shares transferred
• Update share quantities
• Confirm share classes

Section E: Auditor (if applicable)

• Confirm auditor details
• Update if changed

Section F: Financial Information

• Confirm financial year-end
• Select turnover range
• Indicate number of employees

Section G: Compliance

• Indicate B-BBEE status (if applicable)
• Confirm industry classification
• Complete any additional compliance fields

4. Declarations

• Read declarations carefully
• Tick confirmation boxes
• Sign electronically (using ID number)

5. Submit and Pay

• Click "Submit"
• Redirected to payment page
• Pay R125 using credit card or EFT
• Await payment confirmation

6. Download Certificate

• Once payment confirmed, return to submission
• Download CoR14.2 certificate
• Save PDF to your records
• Email copy to directors/stakeholders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong Deadline

Mistake: Filing based on financial year-end instead of anniversary

Correct: File within 30 business days of anniversary (registration date)

2. Incorrect Director Information

Mistake: Not updating resigned or appointed directors

Correct: Ensure director list reflects current status as of filing date

3. Old Addresses

Mistake: Not updating registered office address

Correct: Keep all addresses current; non-compliance if incorrect

4. Shareholder Errors

Mistake: Not reflecting share transfers or new shareholders

Correct: Shareholding must be accurate and current

5. Missing Signatures

Mistake: Not completing electronic signature/declaration

Correct: Form invalid without proper signature

6. Late Filing

Mistake: Missing deadline and incurring penalties

Correct: Set reminders 60 days before deadline; file early

What Happens After Filing

CIPC Processing

Timeline: Immediate to 3 business days

Confirmation:

• Email confirmation of submission
• CoR14.2 certificate generated
• Company status updated to "In business"

Verification:

• CIPC may verify information
• Rarely requires follow-up
• Compliance status updated

Next Steps

Record Keeping:

• Save CoR14.2 certificate in company records
• Update statutory register
• Note next year's deadline
• Set calendar reminder for next filing

Company Statutory Register:
Update your company's statutory records with:

• New directors (if any)
• New shareholders (if any)
• Address changes (if any)

Special Circumstances

First Annual Return

New Companies:

• File within 30 business days of first anniversary
• May have limited financial information
• Still mandatory even if no trading

Company in Business Rescue

Requirements:

• Still must file annual returns
• Indicate business rescue status
• Business rescue practitioner may assist

Dormant Companies

Status:

• No trading activity
• Still must file annual returns
• Indicate "dormant" status if applicable
• Cannot avoid filing obligation

Company Winding Up

Process:

• Continue filing until final deregistration
• Liquidator files on behalf of company
• Final return submitted with deregistration

Penalties and Non-Compliance

Penalty Structure

Late Filing Penalties:

• Day 31-60: R100
• Day 61-90: R200
• Day 91-120: R300
• 120+ days: R1,000+

Director Liability:
Directors personally liable for non-compliance

Consequences of Non-Filing

Short-Term (0-6 months late):

• Company status: "In default"
• Penalties accumulate
• Cannot issue compliance certificates
• Banking issues possible

Medium-Term (6-12 months late):

• CIPC notices issued
• Higher penalties
• Deregistration warnings
• Legal liability increases

Long-Term (12+ months late):

• Company deregistered
• Directors personally liable
• Cannot trade legally
• Assets may be seized
• Restoration complex and expensive

How to Check Company Status

CIPC Company Search

Online Check:

1. Visit www.cipc.co.za
2. Click "Verify Company Status"
3. Enter registration number or name
4. View current status

Status Indicators:

• "In business": Compliant
• "In default": Non-compliant, filings overdue
• "Deregistered": No longer active
• "In liquidation": Winding up process

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is my company's anniversary date?
A: The date your company was registered with CIPC. Found on your registration certificate (CoR14.3).

Q: Can I file early?
A: Yes, you can file up to 60 days before your anniversary date.

Q: What if my company details haven't changed?
A: You must still file annual returns, confirming all details are unchanged.

Q: Do I need audited financials to file?
A: No, annual returns don't require financial statements. Only turnover range and employee numbers.

Q: What if I missed the deadline?
A: File immediately. Penalties apply but increase the longer you wait. Prevent deregistration.

Q: Can I file without an accountant?
A: Yes, filing is straightforward online. Accountants are optional but can ensure accuracy.

Q: What if my company is dormant?
A: Still must file. Indicate no trading activity or dormant status on return.

Q: How do I update directors?
A: Directors are updated as part of annual return filing. For immediate changes, file CoR39 (change of directors) separately.

Best Practices

Stay Compliant

1. Set Reminders:

• Calendar alert 60 days before anniversary
• Second reminder 30 days before
• Final reminder 10 days before

2. Keep Records Updated:

• Maintain current director register
• Update shareholder register promptly
• Keep addresses current
• Track all changes throughout year

3. File Early:

• Don't wait until deadline
• File as soon as information is ready
• Avoid last-minute technical issues
• Reduce stress

4. Verify Information:

• Double-check all details before submitting
• Confirm director ID numbers accurate
• Verify shareholding percentages add to 100%
• Ensure addresses correct

5. Save Certificates:

• Download and save CoR14.2 immediately
• Back up to cloud storage
• Email to directors/shareholders
• Keep in statutory records

Automate Reminders

Use:

• Google Calendar with annual repeat
• Outlook reminders
• Company secretarial software
• Accountant's reminder service

Conclusion

Filing CIPC annual returns is a legal obligation for all South African companies. The process is straightforward online, takes 15-30 minutes, and costs R125.

Key Takeaways:

• File within 30 business days of anniversary date
• Cost: R125 (plus penalties if late)
• File online via CIPC e-Services for instant processing
• Keep company information current and accurate
• Set reminders to avoid penalties
• Directors personally liable for non-compliance

Action Steps:

1. Identify your company's anniversary date
2. Register on CIPC e-Services (if not already)
3. Gather current company information
4. File 60 days before deadline
5. Download and save CoR14.2 certificate
6. Set reminder for next year

For related guides, see our CIPC Company Registration Guide and CIPC Compliance Requirements.