What is the CAC annual returns filing, and who must file it?
CAC annual returns filing is the yearly statement submitted to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to confirm your business is active and compliant. All registered companies, business names, and incorporated trustees are required to file.
When is CAC annual returns due for companies?
Companies must file annual returns within 14 days after their Annual General Meeting (AGM). The first filing is usually due 18 months after incorporation, then annually.
When is the annual returns filing due for incorporated trustees?
Incorporated trustees must file between 30 June and 31 December of each year for the previous financial year, along with audited accounts.
Do business names file annual returns, and when?
Yes. Business names are also required to file annual returns using the CAC BN 06 form. The filing date is usually prompted in the CAC portal for each profile.
How much is CAC annual returns for a limited company?
The fee depends on the company’s share capital and CAC fee schedules. Penalties apply if filing is late, and CAC updates fees periodically.
How much is CAC annual returns for a business name or for an NGO?
Business names generally pay less than limited liability companies. Incorporated trustees have their own fee schedule, often linked to audited accounts and trustee disclosures.
Can I make CAC annual returns payment online?
Yes. Payment is made directly on the CAC portal through debit or credit card, Remita, or bank transfer.
How do I check the CAC annual returns status and download the acknowledgment letter?
Log into your CAC portal account, go to “Transaction Status” or “Dashboard,” and check your filing. If approved, you can download your acknowledgment letter as proof of compliance.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Late filing attracts penalties, and continuous default can lead to your company, business name, or trustee organization being struck off the CAC register.
How far back can I regularize missed filings?
You must back-file starting from the oldest missed year. Penalties accumulate, and prolonged default may require court processes to restore your entity.
Can I file CAC annual returns if there was no activity?
Yes. Even dormant businesses must file annual returns to confirm their legal existence.
Do small companies need audited accounts to file annual returns?
Not all small companies need audited accounts. Under CAMA 2020, many are exempt, but they must still complete and submit CAC annual returns.
Can I file annual returns without an AGM?
Annual returns for companies are tied to the AGM. If no AGM was held, you still need to comply with legal filing requirements.
Which CAC portal should I use for annual returns filing?
The filing is done through the Company Registration Portal (CRP), where all post-incorporation filings are handled.
What documents do I need to prepare for annual returns filing?
- For companies: AGM details, financial statements (if required), directors and shareholders list, and share capital information.
- For business names: year-end statement, proprietor or partner details, and turnover records.
- For incorporated trustees: audited accounts, trustee details, and statement of assets and liabilities.
How long does approval take after payment?
Approval timelines vary, but you can monitor the CAC portal. Once approved, download your acknowledgment letter immediately.
Can I change directors, proprietors, or trustees during annual returns filing?
No. Annual returns filing only updates compliance records. Any changes to officers or trustees must be done through separate CAC filings before completing annual returns.
What is the difference between CAC annual returns and tax returns?
CAC annual returns are filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission to maintain compliance, while tax returns are filed with FIRS or the State IRS to declare income and pay taxes.
What proof do I need for tenders and bank requests?
Most banks, government agencies, and investors request the CAC acknowledgment letter as evidence of annual returns compliance.
Can an accredited agent file on my behalf?
Yes. Accredited CAC agents and firms like Entrepreneurs.ng can handle filings on behalf of business owners to ensure accuracy and timely compliance.
What new CAC updates should I watch for?
CAC frequently issues public notices regarding fees, strike-offs, and filing deadlines. Always confirm the latest requirements before filing.
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