What Happens If I Don’t File My CIPC Annual Return?
Quick Answer
What Happens If I Don't File My CIPC Annual Return?
Missing a CIPC annual return triggers late fees immediately. Continued non-filing leads CIPC to deregister the company – it then legally ceases to exist, cannot trade or hold contracts, and its bank accounts can be frozen. Reinstatement costs R200 plus all outstanding returns at late rates.
What this means in plain language
Deregistration is not a fine – it is the end of the company as a legal person. Anything the company owns, including money in its bank account, can vest in the state.
The escalation is slow but relentless: one missed year means late fees; several missed years means CIPC starts the deregistration process, sometimes without you noticing until a payment bounces.
Who this applies to
- Directors who have missed one or more annual returns
- Anyone who received a deregistration notice from CIPC
Step by step
- Check your status on CIPC eServices – look for “deregistration process” flags.
- Bring beneficial ownership up to date first – it blocks everything else.
- File every outstanding annual return and pay each year at the late rate.
- If already deregistered, apply for reinstatement on form CoR40.5 (R200) with supporting documents.
- After reinstatement, file the outstanding returns to fully restore compliance.
What it costs
| Item | Cost / detail |
|---|---|
| Late annual return (under R1m turnover) | R150 per year instead of R100 |
| Reinstatement application (CoR40.5) | R200 |
| Outstanding returns after reinstatement | Each year at the late rate |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a dormant company is exempt – dormant companies must still file nil returns.
- Letting the company die when it owns assets – property and bank balances get caught in deregistration.
- Paying an agent before checking status yourself – the CIPC status check is free online.
A South African example
A Johannesburg events company misses three annual returns while the owner works abroad. A client’s R80,000 deposit bounces off the frozen account. Reinstatement (R200) plus three late returns (R450 total at his band) restores the company in a few weeks.
Related questions
- What Is a CIPC Annual Return?
- How Do I Reinstate a Deregistered Company in South Africa?
- CIPC Company Compliance: The Complete Guide for South African
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before CIPC deregisters a company for not filing?
There is no fixed grace period – CIPC acts after continued non-filing, typically after two or more missed returns, and can take months to years. Once flagged, you receive notices at your registered address before final deregistration.
Can a deregistered company be brought back?
Usually yes. File a reinstatement application (form CoR40.5, R200) with CIPC, then submit all outstanding annual returns at late rates plus current beneficial ownership. The company is restored as if it was never deregistered.
Does deregistration cancel the company’s debts?
No. Deregistration does not wipe debt – creditors can apply to have the company reinstated specifically to collect, and directors may face personal exposure for trading while deregistered.
Official sources
About BizAnswers: BizAnswers is a privately owned South African company – not a government department. Our guides are free to read and show you how to do things yourself through official channels. If you would rather have the paperwork handled for you, we assist individuals and businesses with filing their South African tax returns and staying compliant, which is a paid service, not a free government service. Contact us for help.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.
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