CIPC annual return fee calculator

How to use the CIPC annual return fee calculator

This CIPC annual return fee calculator estimates company annual-return filing fees using turnover, the number of outstanding returns and whether the newest return is still on time. It is a budgeting guide, not a filing submission or a confirmation of your company's legal status. The company fee schedule below is the supplied schedule verified on 1 October 2026.

Select company, enter annual turnover and count the outstanding annual returns. Include the newest return if its registration anniversary has passed and it remains unfiled. Then indicate whether that newest return is within 30 business days after the registration anniversary. The calculator treats earlier outstanding returns as late.

Use a turnover figure supported by your financial records. The current tool applies the same turnover band to every outstanding year. If turnover changed across those years, calculate each year separately with its relevant figure and filing status before adding the estimates. This avoids treating a current turnover figure as a complete historical assessment.

Company annual-return fee table

Annual turnover	Filed on time	Filed late
Under R1 million	R100	R150
R1 million to below R10 million	R450	R600
R10 million to below R25 million	R2,000	R2,500
R25 million and above	R3,000	R4,000

On-time filing means within 30 business days after the company's registration anniversary. Exact boundary amounts enter the higher band. For example, R1 million turnover uses the R450 on-time or R600 late fee, not the band for turnover below R1 million.

The table is for company annual returns. The supplied figures do not establish close-corporation fees or reinstatement charges, so those are excluded from this estimate. Smartbook's service fee is also excluded. Do not treat the annual-return total as an all-inclusive price for resolving every compliance issue.

How the calculation works

The calculator selects the turnover band and its on-time and late rates. When the newest return is inside the filing window, it charges that return at the on-time rate and all earlier outstanding years at the late rate. Otherwise, every selected year uses the late rate.

The total is the on-time fee multiplied by the number of on-time years, plus the late fee multiplied by the number of late years. It does not automatically calculate anniversary dates, identify missing returns from CIPC or make payment. Confirm those details from the company record before using the estimate to plan a submission.

Hypothetical worked examples

These examples are invented and assume the same turnover band applies to all selected years.

A low-turnover company filing on time

A hypothetical company has R850,000 annual turnover and one outstanding return inside the filing window. It falls below R1 million, so the estimated CIPC annual-return fee is R100. No service or reinstatement fee is included.

A late return at the boundary

A hypothetical company has exactly R1 million turnover and one late return. The higher band applies, giving an estimated fee of R600. The supplied schedule does not use R500 for this late-return band.

Catching up earlier years

A hypothetical company has R12 million turnover and three outstanding returns. If the newest is on time, the total is R2,000 plus two late fees of R2,500, giving R7,000. If all three are late, the total becomes R7,500.

Frequently asked questions

Is a CIPC annual return my SARS tax return?

No. They are separate filings. This calculator estimates CIPC annual-return fees and does not calculate company income tax or submit a return to SARS.

Does the tool check my anniversary automatically?

No. You provide the filing-window answer. Check your registration anniversary and count business days rather than assuming the window is a calendar month.

What if the company is deregistered?

Confirm the reinstatement process and charges separately. The estimate excludes reinstatement fees and does not establish whether CIPC will accept the company's outstanding filings.

Can I use this table for a close corporation?

Not without a separate fee check. The supplied verified figures cover the company schedule, so this draft does not claim that the same fees apply to close corporations.

Can Smartbook file the returns for me?

See Smartbook's annual return service for filing support. Confirm outstanding years, the relevant turnover figures and separately quoted service costs before proceeding.