CIPC Annual Return — Submission, Fees, Due Dates & How to Stay Compliant

Professional CIPC annual return submission for companies across Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Brakpan, Springs, Alberton, Germiston and the East Rand — filed correctly and on time, every year.

Every registered company and close corporation in South Africa must file a CIPC annual return every year. Missing your CIPC annual return can result in escalating late penalties, loss of good standing, and ultimately the deregistration of your company. Accountants On Point makes the CIPC annual return process completely stress-free — we handle the submission, the Beneficial Ownership declaration, and all CIPC correspondence on your behalf.

What Is a CIPC Annual Return?

A CIPC annual return is a mandatory yearly filing that every company (Pty Ltd), close corporation (CC), and non-profit company (NPC) registered in South Africa must submit to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The CIPC annual return confirms that your business is still active and trading, updates your company's registered details on the CIPC register, and since 2023 includes a mandatory Beneficial Ownership declaration.

Key facts about the CIPC annual return every business owner in Benoni, Kempton Park, Boksburg, Brakpan, and Springs must know:

• Every registered company and CC must file a CIPC annual return every year — no exceptions
• Even dormant companies that have not traded must still file their CIPC annual return
• The CIPC annual return is completely separate from your SARS income tax return
• Filing is due on the anniversary month of your company's registration date
• Missing two consecutive CIPC annual returns triggers the company deregistration process
• Since May 2023, the Beneficial Ownership declaration is mandatory with every CIPC annual return
• Late filing attracts daily accumulating penalties on top of the standard filing fee

CIPC Annual Return Due Date — When Is It Due?

The CIPC annual return due date is based on the anniversary month of your company's original registration date with CIPC — not a fixed calendar date that applies to all companies. This means every company's CIPC annual return due date is different.

Important notes about your CIPC annual return due date:

• You have 30 business days from the start of your anniversary month to file without late penalties
• After 30 business days, daily late penalties begin to accumulate automatically
• You can check your CIPC annual return due date by logging into the CIPC customer portal at annualreturns.cipc.co.za
• Accountants On Point tracks your CIPC annual return due date and sends you reminders so you never miss a deadline
• Companies that miss two consecutive CIPC annual return due dates are flagged for deregistration

Never miss your CIPC annual return due date again. Let Accountants On Point track it and handle the submission for you every single year.

CIPC Annual Return Fees 2026

The CIPC annual return fees 2026 are calculated based on your company's annual turnover. The higher your turnover, the higher the CIPC annual return fees 2026 applicable to your filing. Below is a summary of the CIPC annual return fees 2026 fee structure:

Note: CIPC annual return fees 2026 are subject to periodic adjustment by CIPC. Dormant companies with zero turnover are charged at the lowest bracket — the same as companies with turnover up to R1 million. Contact us for the exact current CIPC annual return fees 2026 applicable to your company's turnover level.

CIPC Annual Return Fees Calculator

Many business owners search for a CIPC annual return fees calculator to estimate what their filing will cost. While CIPC provides an online fee calculator at annualreturns.cipc.co.za, the calculation is based on your company's reported annual turnover. Here is how the CIPC annual return fees calculator works:

• Log in to the CIPC annual returns portal at annualreturns.cipc.co.za
• Select your company from the list of registered entities
• Enter your annual turnover for the most recently completed financial year
• The system automatically calculates your CIPC annual return fee based on the applicable fee bracket
• If you are filing late, the CIPC annual return fees calculator will also show accumulated late penalties

Not sure how to use the CIPC annual return fees calculator or what turnover figure to enter? Contact Accountants On Point and we will handle the entire calculation and submission for you — correctly and without errors.

CIPC Annual Return Turnover Definition — What Counts?

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the CIPC annual return is the CIPC annual return turnover definition. Many business owners are unsure which figure to use when completing their filing. Here is a clear explanation of the CIPC annual return turnover definition:

Important: dormant companies with zero turnover during the year must still file their CIPC annual return and are charged at the lowest fee bracket. The CIPC annual return turnover definition applies regardless of whether your company made a profit or a loss — it is based on gross revenue only.

How to Pay CIPC Annual Returns Online

Knowing how to pay CIPC annual returns online is essential to completing the filing process correctly. Here is exactly how to pay CIPC annual returns online through the official CIPC portal:

Struggling with the CIPC portal or unsure of any step in the how to pay CIPC annual returns online process? Accountants On Point handles the entire submission for you — from login to confirmation — so you never have to deal with the CIPC portal yourself.

CIPC Annual Return Submission — What Happens If You Miss It?

Missing your CIPC annual return submission has serious consequences for your business. Here is exactly what happens when a company in Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, or anywhere in South Africa misses its CIPC annual return submission:

CIPC Annual Return Status — How to Check It

Your CIPC annual return status tells you whether your company's annual return filings are up to date and whether your company is in good standing. Checking your CIPC annual return status is important before applying for tenders, bank facilities, or any contracts that require proof of good standing.

How to check your CIPC annual return status:

• Visit the CIPC company search portal at enquiries.cipc.co.za
• Search for your company by name or registration number
• Your company profile will show your current registration status and annual return compliance history
• A status of "In Business" with up-to-date annual returns confirms good standing
• A status of "AR Deregistration Process" means you have missed annual returns and deregistration has begun

Not sure about your CIPC annual return status? Contact Accountants On Point and we will check your compliance status and advise you on what needs to be done to get your company back in good standing across Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Brakpan, and Springs.

CIPC Annual Return Login — How to Access the Portal

To file your own CIPC annual return, you need to complete the CIPC annual return login process on the official CIPC annual returns portal. Here is what you need for the CIPC annual return login:

• A registered CIPC customer account — register at bizportal.gov.za if you do not have one
• Your CIPC customer code (usually your ID number or a code assigned during registration)
• Your CIPC password — reset it at the portal if you have forgotten it
• Access to annualreturns.cipc.co.za for the annual return submission portal
• Your company registration number to search for and select your company

The CIPC annual return login portal can sometimes be slow or experience technical issues. If you find the process frustrating or confusing, Accountants On Point can handle the full CIPC annual return submission on your behalf using our registered CIPC customer account — you simply provide us with the required information and we do the rest.

Why Use Accountants On Point for Your CIPC Annual Return?

Business owners across Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Brakpan, Springs, and the East Rand trust Accountants On Point to handle their CIPC annual return submissions every year for good reason:

Contact Details for CIPC Annual Return in Benoni & East Rand

For fast, professional, and affordable CIPC annual return submission services in Benoni and across the East Rand, contact Accountants On Point today:

Frequently Asked Questions — CIPC Annual Return