Annual Returns Guide
CIPC Annual Returns - Keeping Your South African Company Active and Compliant
Read our Annual Returns Guide – Failing to file your annual returns does not just result in late penalties—it leads to automatic deregistration and the freezing of your business bank accounts. Get clear facts on filing timelines, real costs, and how to protect your company’s active status.
Understanding CIPC Annual Returns: Fees, Timelines & Consequences
| Filing Category | Annual Turnover Range | CIPC Filing Fee (On Time) | Late Filing Penalty |
| Micro Enterprise | R0 – R1 million | R100 | + R150 (Total: R250) |
| Small Business | R1 million – R10 million | R450 | + R150 (Total: R600) |
| Medium Business | R10 million – R25 million | R2,000 | + R500 (Total: R2,500) |
| Large Enterprise | R25 million + | R3,000 | + R1,000 (Total: R4,000) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Yes, they are entirely separate. A CIPC annual return is a statutory renewal filed with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission to prove your business is still active. SARS tax returns, on the other hand, deal with your company’s financial earnings and taxes. You must file both independently to remain fully compliant.
A: Your company must file its annual returns within 30 business days starting from the day after your company’s anniversary date (the exact calendar date the company was originally incorporated).
A: Filing fees are calculated based on your company’s annual turnover. For a standard private company with a turnover under R1 million, the basic filing fee is R100. However, if you file late, a flat penalty of R150 is immediately added, bringing the total CIPC fee to R250.
A: If you miss filing your annual returns for two successive years, the CIPC will automatically initiate a “referral for deregistration” process. Once fully deregistered, your company ceases to legally exist, your business name becomes available for others to claim, and bank accounts linked to the company registration number are frozen.