What happens if I don’t file my annual return?

Your company can be placed in non-compliance and ultimately deregistered, which can impact banking, contracts, and legal standing.

Do I still need to file if my company did not trade?

Yes. You must file the annual return even if turnover is zero.

How do I file a CIPC annual return?

File via CIPC eServices by entering your registration number, confirming details, submitting turnover, and paying the fee—or ask Smartbook to handle it end-to-end.

How can I check if my annual return is up to date?

Search your company on the CIPC portal to view compliance status, or request a compliance check from Smartbook.

Can Smartbook help with late filings or reinstatement?

Yes. Smartbook can file outstanding annual returns, calculate penalties, and assist with reinstatement if deregistered.

What Are CIPC Annual Returns and How Do You File Them?

Q: What is a CIPC annual return?

A CIPC annual return is a yearly declaration to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission confirming your company is active and compliant.

Q: Is a CIPC annual return the same as a SARS tax return?

No. CIPC annual returns keep your company registration active with CIPC; SARS returns relate to income tax, VAT, and other taxes.

Q: When are CIPC annual returns due?

They are due annually within 30 business days of your company’s registration anniversary date—not your financial year-end.

Q: How much do CIPC annual returns cost?

Fees are based on your company’s annual turnover. Late submissions attract additional penalties.

Johan De Wet
Oct 6
3 min read

If you registered a company in South Africa, you must file CIPC annual returns every year to stay compliant.

Many business owners confuse CIPC annual returns with SARS tax returns — but they are not the same thing.

Below, we’ll explain what they are, why they matter, when to file, what it costs, and how to submit them step-by-step through the CIPC or Smartbook.

What Is a CIPC Annual Return?

A CIPC annual return is an official declaration you submit to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) once per year to confirm your company is still active.

It tells the CIPC that your business is operating and compliant under the Companies Act of 2008.

Even if your business hasn’t traded or made a profit, you still need to file your annual return.

Quick Answer:A CIPC annual return is not a tax return — it’s a company renewal filing that keeps your registration active.

Why Are CIPC Annual Returns Important?

Filing annual returns keeps your business in “good standing”.

If you don’t file on time:

Your company can be deregistered.
Your name can be taken by another company.
You won’t be able to open business bank accounts.
You may lose contracts or funding.
SARS could mark your profile as inactive.

Once deregistered, reinstating your company takes weeks or months and costs more than simply filing your return.

When Must You File Annual Returns with the CIPC?

You must file your CIPC annual return within 30 business days of your company’s registration anniversary date — not the tax year-end.

Example:If your company was registered on 10 March 2023, your annual return is due between 10 March and 25 April 2024.

You can check your due date anytime on the CIPC website or ask Smartbook to check it for you.

How Much Do CIPC Annual Returns Cost?

The fee depends on your company’s annual turnover:

Turnover Range (Last Financial Year)	CIPC Annual Return Fee (Approx.)
Less than R1 million	R100 per year
R1 million – R10 million	R450 per year
R10 million – R25 million	R2,000 per year
Over R25 million	R3,000 per year

If you file late, CIPC adds penalties of up to R150 per month per year outstanding.

How Do You File Your CIPC Annual Return?

You have two main options:

Option 1: File Directly via CIPC eServices

Go to https://eservices.cipc.co.za.
Log in or register an account.
Click “Annual Returns.”
Enter your company registration number.
Confirm your company details.
Enter your turnover for the last financial year.
Pay using a credit card or EFT.
Download your proof of submission.

Option 2: File Through Smartbook

If you’d rather not deal with CIPC’s system, Smartbook can file your annual return for you — fast and compliant.

We handle:

The entire submission process
Payment to CIPC
Proof of filing
Penalty checks for past years

Send your company name or registration number, and we’ll confirm your filing status instantly.

What Happens If You Don’t File?

If you skip annual returns for two or more years, your company can be automatically deregistered.

That means:

You lose your company registration number.
You can’t trade legally under that name.
Your assets may legally transfer to the state.

To fix this, you’ll need to apply for reinstatement, which includes paying all outstanding returns and penalties.

How to Check If Your CIPC Annual Return Is Filed

You can verify your company’s compliance by:

Visiting the CIPC Company Search Portal.
Entering your company registration number.
Viewing your annual return status under “Compliance.”

Alternatively, Smartbook can instantly check and send you a compliance report with your current status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is a CIPC annual return the same as a SARS tax return?

No. CIPC returns go to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, while SARS returns are for income tax and VAT.

2. What if my company didn’t trade this year?

You must still file an annual return, even if your turnover is R0.

3. Can I file annual returns for past years?

Yes, but you’ll need to pay late penalties before your company can be reactivated.

4. Can Smartbook help with reinstating a deregistered company?

Absolutely — we can assist with both reinstatements and late filings.

Final Thoughts: Stay Compliant and Avoid Penalties

CIPC annual returns are simple but essential. They keep your company active, legal, and trusted.

If you’re unsure about your filing status or don’t want to risk penalties, Smartbook can handle your annual returns quickly and correctly — so you can focus on growing your business.

File your CIPC Annual Return now with Smartbook — we’ll handle everything end-to-end.