Who can file my CIPC annual return for me?
The company, a director, your accountant, or a paperwork service with your written authority can all file it. The catch is that the annual return is now four filings in one session, the CIPC fee depends on turnover, and missing the window starts deregistration. Here is what to know before you hand it to anyone.
Independent, not a government body. ProperSA is a private company. Everything in this guide can be done directly with the authority at its own fees; our service fee pays for it to be prepared, lodged and followed up for you.
Who may file
- The company itself, through a director or an employee, on CIPC eServices or BizPortal.
- Anyone the company authorises. CIPC does not require a registered practitioner for an annual return. An accountant, a company secretary or a service like ProperSA files under the company’s written authority, using its own CIPC customer code. We never ask for your login.
- What stays with you: the turnover figure comes from your approved financial statements and must be right, because it sets the fee and cannot be corrected afterwards.
It is four filings, not one
- The annual return itself.
- The beneficial ownership declaration, which CIPC will not accept the return without.
- The financial accountability supplement, or your audited statements lodged in iXBRL if you are required to audit.
- The compliance checklist, answered in the same session.
What it costs
- CIPC fee, by turnover: R100 under R1 million, R450 from R1 million to under R10 million, R2 000 from R10 million to under R25 million, and R3 000 above that, with a higher fee when filed late. A dormant company files R0 turnover and pays R100.
- Close corporations pay a CIPC fee of R100, and R250 when late.
- Service fee: ProperSA charges R690 for all four filings, plus the CIPC fee at cost, and R390 for each extra back year.
The window and what happens if you miss it
- A company files within 30 business days from the end of its anniversary month; a close corporation within the anniversary month.
- File nothing and CIPC assumes the company is inactive, moves it into deregistration and eventually strikes it off, which freezes the bank account and puts company property at risk. Filing the outstanding years stops the process; a struck off company needs reinstatement.
- Not trading does not pause the duty. A dormant company still files every year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an accountant to file a CIPC annual return?
No. CIPC requires no professional to file it. The company, a director or anyone with the company’s written authority can file on eServices or BizPortal. You do need your approved financial statements, because the turnover figure sets the fee.
How much does a CIPC annual return cost?
The CIPC fee is R100 under R1 million turnover, R450 to under R10 million, R2 000 to under R25 million and R3 000 above that, higher when late. A close corporation pays R100, or R250 late. ProperSA’s fee to prepare and file all four filings is R690 plus the CIPC fee at cost.
What are the four filings?
The annual return, the beneficial ownership declaration, the financial accountability supplement or iXBRL financial statements, and the compliance checklist. CIPC will not accept the return without the beneficial ownership declaration.
When is my annual return due?
Within 30 business days after the end of the month in which the company was registered, every year. A close corporation files within its anniversary month.
What if I have missed several years?
File them all; each back year carries its own CIPC fee and late amount. If CIPC has already deregistered the company, filing alone does not bring it back and a reinstatement application is needed first. We check the register and tell you which before you pay.
Fees from the CIPC annual return fee schedule as published on CIPC eServices and the ProperSA annual return fee calculator; filing duties from the Companies Act 71 of 2008 section 33 and the Companies Regulations. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures were checked on 15 October 2026; authorities change fees and rules, so confirm anything you rely on.