How to Update Your Company’s Financial Year-End at CIPC (Step-by-Step Guide)

Need to change your company’s financial year-end?

You can easily update your financial year-end (FYE) through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) — as long as you follow the correct process.Whether you want to align your year-end with SARS, your holding company, or simply make bookkeeping easier, this step-by-step guide explains how to do it correctly and how Smartbook can handle it for you.

What is a Financial Year-End (FYE)? 

A financial year-end is the last day of your company’s annual accounting period.

It determines when:

• You prepare your financial statements

• You file your annual returns

• You calculate taxes and compliance deadlines

  
  

For most South African companies, the default year-end is the last day of the month in which the company was registered, but this can be changed at any time through CIPC.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Financial Year-End 

There are several valid reasons for changing your company’s FYE:

✅ To align with your parent company or group structure

✅ To match SARS tax periods

✅ To simplify your bookkeeping and reporting

✅ To plan better for seasonal cash flow or audits

Example:If your company was registered on 15 March 2024, your default FYE would be 31 March 2025.But if you prefer aligning with calendar years, you could change it to 31 December.

CIPC Rules for Changing Financial Year-End 

CIPC allows you to change your financial year-end once per financial year.

You can move it forward or backward — but the total period between two year-ends cannot exceed 15 months.

Rule	Details
Maximum period between year-ends	15 months
How often you can change it	Once per financial year
Who can authorise the change	The company’s directors or members
Required form	CoR25
Processing time	± 3–5 business days

Documents You’ll Need 

Before submitting the change, prepare:

✅ Completed CoR25 form (Application to Change Financial Year-End)

✅ Board or member resolution authorising the change

✅ Certified ID copy of one active director or member

Smartbook prepares and files all of these for you — no forms, no errors.

How to Update Your Financial Year-End at CIPC (Step-by-Step) 

Here’s how to do it yourself through the CIPC eServices platform:

Step 1: Log into CIPC eServices 

Visit https://eservices.cipc.co.za.Log in using your customer code and password.

Step 2: Go to “Change Financial Year-End” 

From the menu, select:Companies → Maintain Company Details → Change Financial Year-End.

Enter your company registration number and click “Search.”

Step 3: Complete the CoR25 Form 

The online form will display your current FYE.Enter the new desired year-end date (for example, change from 31 March to 31 December).

Ensure the new year-end does not exceed the 15-month limit.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents 

Upload the following:

• Board resolution approving the change

• Certified ID copy of a director

• Completed and signed CoR25 (if not generated online)

  
  

Step 5: Submit and Wait for Approval 

Click Submit.You’ll receive a tracking number to monitor progress.CIPC typically processes FYE changes within 3–5 business days.

Step 6: Download Your Confirmation Document 

Once approved, CIPC will issue a CoR25 confirmation document showing your new financial year-end date.Keep this for your records — you’ll need it for SARS, banks, and auditors.

How Smartbook Can Do It for You 

If you’d rather not complete forms and upload documents yourself, Smartbook can update your FYE for you — quickly and correctly.

We’ll:

✅ Prepare your CoR25 form

✅ Draft the authorising resolution

✅ Submit your application to CIPC

✅ Track and deliver your official approval

Just send your company name or registration number, and we’ll handle the rest within 1–2 days.

How Long It Takes 

• CIPC processing time: ± 3–5 business days

• Smartbook turnaround time: Usually within 24–48 hours

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. How often can I change my company’s financial year-end?

Once per financial year.

2. Can I choose any date as my financial year-end ?

Yes, but the total period between two year-ends cannot exceed 15 months.

3. Do I need to inform SARS of the change?

Yes. Once approved by CIPC, you must update the year-end on your SARS eFiling profile.

4. Is there a fee for changing financial year-end?

CIPC doesn’t charge a filing fee, but Smartbook may charge a small service fee to manage the process for you.

5. Can Smartbook handle the entire update for me?

Absolutely. Smartbook can file your CoR25 form, prepare resolutions, and deliver your updated FYE confirmation.

Final Thoughts 

Changing your financial year-end with CIPC is simple — as long as you follow the proper steps and submit the right documents.

Whether you’re aligning with your group structure or tax deadlines, Smartbook can make the process fast, compliant, and error-free.