Can You File CIPC Annual Returns Without Financial Statements?

If your company hasn’t finalized its financial statements, you might be wondering:

“Can I still file my CIPC annual return?”

The short answer is yes — you can file without financial statements, but you still need to submit a turnover amount and keep your financials available in case the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) requests them later.

Here’s exactly how it works.

Why CIPC Asks for Financial Information:

When you file your annual return, the CIPC asks for your company’s annual turnover — not your full financial statements.

This helps them determine how much your annual return fee should be

For example:

Turnover (Last Financial Year)	CIPC Filing Fee
R0 – R1 million	R100
R1 – R10 million	R450
R10 – R25 million	R2 000
Over R25 million	R3 000

So, while financial statements aren’t required to upload during the filing process, you must know your company’s turnover figure.

Do You Need to Upload Financial Statements to CIPC? 

Not for most companies.

Only specific companies need to submit their financial statements or financial accountability supplements (FAS).

Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Private Companies (Pty Ltd) 

You don’t need to upload your financial statements unless you are:

• A large company (public interest score over 350); or

• A medium-sized company (public interest score between 100–350) not independently reviewed.

  
  

If your business is small and owner-managed, you can simply declare your turnover amount when filing.

2. Close Corporations (CCs) 

CCs are not required to upload financial statements, but must declare turnover and confirm they’re keeping records.

3. Non-Profit Companies (NPCs)

NPCs that are externally funded or have a public interest score above 350 must submit financials.

Smaller NPCs can simply complete the online declaration without uploading documents.

What Happens If You File Without Financial Statements? 

If your company qualifies to file without them, there’s no issue — you’ll stay compliant as long as you provide your turnover and pay your CIPC fee.

However, you must:

• Keep your financial statements on record; and

• Be able to submit them if CIPC requests an audit or verification.

Failing to keep proper accounting records can still lead to non-compliance under the Companies Act.

Smartbook Tip: Keep It Simple 

If you’re unsure whether your company needs to upload financials, Smartbook can check for you.

We’ll:

• Verify whether your company qualifies to file without financials

• Calculate your annual turnover range

• File your CIPC annual return for you

• Keep your company in full compliance — automatically each year

Just send your company name or registration number, and we’ll confirm exactly what’s needed before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I file my annual return if my financials aren’t ready?

Yes. You can file using your estimated or known turnover, as long as your company isn’t legally required to submit audited statements.

2. What is a financial accountability supplement (FAS)?

It’s a short declaration that replaces full financial statements for smaller companies, confirming that records are maintained.

3. Who must upload financial statements to CIPC?

Large or medium-sized companies with high public interest scores or no independent review must upload them.

4. Can Smartbook file my return even if I don’t have financials yet?

Yes. Smartbook can help you declare your turnover and file your CIPC annual return correctly.

5. What happens if I submit incorrect turnover info?

CIPC may request supporting documents or financials. Always keep accurate records for your own protection.

Final Thoughts 

You can absolutely file your CIPC annual return without financial statements — as long as you provide your turnover figure and keep your accounting records up to date.

If you’re unsure what applies to your company, Smartbook can help you file correctly and stay compliant — even without financial statements ready.