New Annual Return Filing Extensions Announced

PUBLISHED: 13th October 2020

The Companies Registration Office (CRO) previously announced that the annual return filing extension was extended from 30 June 2020 to 31 October 2020 due to the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This extension will expire on 31 October 2020; however, it has recently been announced that companies that have an annual return date on or after 30 September 2020 now have until 26 February 2021 to complete and file all aspects the annual return, including financial statements. This extension will not apply to companies that have an annual return date earlier than 30 September 2020.

What is my filing deadline?

If your company’s annual return date is between 19 February 2020 and 4 September 2020, the annual return will be deemed to have been filed on time if the annual return is duly completed and filed with the CRO by 31 October 2020.

Companies whose annual return dates fall between 5 September 2020 and 30 September 2020 will have to abide by the historic two-step annual return filing system, whereby the annual return must be electronically filed with the CRO within 28 days of the annual return date, with financial statements and signature pages required to be submitted to the CRO a further 28 days later.

Companies that have an annual return date on or after 30 September 2020 now have until 26 February 2021 to complete and file all aspects the annual return

Companies are encouraged to file their annual return as normal during this period if they are in a position to do so.  

The pre-existing requirements for ‘wet ink’ signatures in relation to annual returns continue to apply.

Do you require further assistance?

Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Company Secretarial Team if you require further information about your annual return or other company secretarial matters.

James Carolan at jcarolan@lkshields.ie

Colm Hanley at chanley@lkshields.ie

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