What Is a CIPC Annual Return?
Quick Answer
What Is a CIPC Annual Return?
A CIPC annual return is a compulsory yearly filing confirming your company still exists. It is due within 30 business days of your registration anniversary, costs R100 to R3,000 depending on turnover, and requires an up-to-date beneficial ownership declaration. Skipping it leads to deregistration.
What this means in plain language
It is not a tax return and not financial statements – those go to SARS. The annual return is the companies register’s yearly roll-call plus a fee that keeps your registration alive.
Even dormant companies must file. The Companies Act makes no exception for companies that did not trade – you file a nil return at the lowest fee band.
Who this applies to
- Every registered company (Pty Ltd, public, NPC) and close corporation
- Directors of dormant companies who think they are exempt – you are not
Step by step
- Find your anniversary date: the date CIPC registered your company.
- Check your beneficial ownership declaration is current – the system blocks you otherwise.
- Log in to CIPC eServices or BizPortal during your filing window.
- Declare your turnover band and pay the fee.
- Keep the filing confirmation with your company records.
What it costs
| Item | Cost / detail |
|---|---|
| Turnover under R1 million | R100 on time, R150 late |
| R1m – R10m | R450 on time, R600 late |
| R10m – R25m | R2,000 on time, R2,500 late |
| R25m and above | R3,000 on time, R4,000 late |
| Close corporations (under R50m) | R100 on time, R250 late |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the annual return with a SARS tax return – they are different obligations to different bodies.
- Missing the window because nobody reminded you – diarise your registration anniversary.
- Trying to file with an outdated beneficial ownership declaration – the system will block you.
A South African example
A Durban signage company registered on 12 April files its return each May. When the owner forgets for two years, the third year shows R600 in late fees plus a deregistration warning – and a frozen tender application that needed a compliant CIPC status.
Related questions
- What Happens If I Don't File My CIPC Annual Return?
- What Is Beneficial Ownership? (CIPC Filing Explained)
- CIPC Company Compliance: The Complete Guide for South African
- Free CIPC Annual Return Fee Calculator (2026)
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 much is the CIPC annual return fee?
For companies: R100 (turnover under R1 million), R450 (R1-10 million), R2,000 (R10-25 million) or R3,000 (R25 million+). Late filing costs more in every band. Close corporations pay R100 under R50 million turnover.
When is my CIPC annual return due?
Within 30 business days starting from your company’s registration anniversary date – the date CIPC originally registered it. The date is on your CoR14.3 certificate.
Can I file my CIPC annual return myself?
Yes, online via CIPC eServices or BizPortal. You need your CIPC customer code, company registration number and payment. The filing itself takes about 15 minutes when your beneficial ownership is current.
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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