How to File Annual Return: A Guide for Corporations

Annual Return

Annual Return is a yearly submission that provides updated information about the corporation. This includes details such as the corporation’s address, directors, and any changes in the corporate structure. The purpose of the annual return is to keep the corporate registry accurate and up to date, ensuring that the government and the public have current information about the corporation’s structure and governance. Failure to file an annual return can lead to legal consequences, including the potential dissolution of the corporation.

Submitting accurate annual returns also helps investors, consumers, and other financial institutions to evaluate your business’s status, standing and make decisions regarding your company.

RegiCorp helps federal and all provincial corporations to prepare their annual corporate returns online. This service will allow you to file your Annual Report online as fast as ever.

Federal Annual Return Filing

Federal Annual Return is Annual filing requirement for all active federal corporations in Canada, including for-profit Corporation and non-profit organizations.

To keep active: To Keep your Canada Corporation in Good Standing you must need to file Annual return Every year. This is not your annual tax return. The Annual Return provides up-to-date information about your corporation. Filing Federal Annual Return is a proof that your corporation is Active.

File Federal Annual Return under CBCA:

All Federal corporations (profit Corporation and non-profit organizations) in Canada are primarily governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). Under the CBCA, all corporations are required to file an annual return with Corporations Canada, the federal agency responsible for overseeing federal corporate laws

Filing Deadline of Federal Annual Return:

The annual return must be filed within 60 days of the corporation’s anniversary date. The anniversary date is the date the corporation was initially incorporated.

Failure Consequences:

Failure to file an Annual Return within 60 days of the corporation’s anniversary may result in the automatic dissolution of the corporation.

The following information is needed to file Federal Annual Return:

• Corporation Key
• Corporation’s name and corporation number
• Corporation’s registered office address
• Corporation’s mailing address
• Names and addresses of all the directors of the corporation.
• Names and addresses of all officers of the corporation.
• The date of the last annual meeting
• Whether the corporation is a distributing or non-distributing corporation (i.e., public, or private)
• The written resolution in lieu of a meeting
• Date of changes to the above information, if applicable

Filing Ontario Annual Return:

Ontario Annual Return is a report that businesses operating in Ontario, Canada, must file every year. Unlike the federal annual return, which is for corporations governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), while Ontario corporations are governed by the Ontario Business Corporations Act (the “OBCA”).  

Annual Return for Ontario corporations is filed with the Ontario government. This report typically includes updates on the corporation’s basic information, such as changes in address, corporate officers, and directors. It is filed with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in Ontario and is separate from the federal filing requirements.

The purpose of this return is to keep the provincial corporate registry updated with current information about corporations operating within Ontario.

Ontario Company key:

Ontario company key is a unique identifier used by corporations & businesses , particularly in the context of filing official documents or accessing secure online services related to corporate affairs.

In many jurisdictions, such as ontario, a company key is required to file documents like annual returns or to make changes to corporate information. It acts as a security measure to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the corporation’s confidential and sensitive information.

The key is typically issued by the corporate registry or a similar government agency and is an essential tool for maintaining corporate compliance and governance.

Filing Deadline: Ontario annual return must be filed within six months after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year. This means that each corporation must file its annual return by a specific date that is determined based on the end of its individual fiscal year. It’s important for corporations to be aware of their specific fiscal year-end date to ensure timely compliance with this filing requirement.

Failure Consequences: Failing to file the Ontario annual return can lead to several negative consequences for a corporation. The most significant of these is the risk of the corporation being dissolved by the provincial government. This dissolution means that the corporation would no longer be recognized as a legal entity, affecting its ability to conduct business legally in Ontario.

Additionally, non-compliance with filing requirements can result in late fees and penalties. It’s important for corporations to adhere to the filing deadlines to maintain their legal status and avoid these adverse outcomes.

The following information should be handy to file Ontario Annual Return:

• Company Key
•  Corporation name and corporation number
• Registered office address in Ontario
• Mailing address, if different from the registered office address
• Names and addresses of all of the directors of the corporation.
• Names and addresses of all officers of the corporation
• Official email ID of the corporation

Ontario Corporations are also required to abide by the Ontario Corporations Information Act in addition to the OBCA. According to this Act, companies must keep correct and current corporate records, including information about their officers and directors.

Annual Return for Alberta and Extra Provincial Corporations

According to Alberta Corporate Registries all Alberta corporations & Extra provincial Corporation in Alberta must file an annual return. This return is not your corporation’s Annual tax Return. This Alberta Annual Return maintains your company’s good standing by keeping the provincial government aware that your company is still active.

Purpose of Alberta Annual Return:

The purpose of the Alberta annual return is to ensure that the Corporate Registry has up-to-date information about each corporation operating in the province. This return is distinct from financial statements or tax returns and is specifically focused on maintaining current corporate records as per provincial regulatory requirements.

Filing Deadline of Alberta Annual Return:

In Alberta, you need to file your annual returns one month before the anniversary of your incorporation.This anniversary date is the date when the corporation was originally registered or incorporated in the province.

Generally, corporations are required to file their annual return within the months following this date, ensuring compliance with provincial regulations. It’s important for corporations in Alberta to be aware of their specific anniversary date to file their annual return in a timely manner and avoid potential penalties or legal issues.

Failure Consequences:
Failing to file the Alberta annual return can lead to significant consequences for a corporation. The most serious of these is the risk of being struck off the Alberta Corporate Registry, effectively dissolving the corporation. This action would terminate the corporation’s legal status, impacting its ability to legally conduct business within the province.

Additionally, non-compliance may result in penalties and fees. It’s crucial for corporations in Alberta to adhere to the annual return filing deadlines to maintain their good standing and avoid these adverse outcomes.

Our online renewal service offers 1 hour rush timeline to file your company’s annual return with Corporate Registry

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Annual Returns for British Columbia

The BC annual return is a mandatory filing for corporations registered in British Columbia, Canada. It requires corporations to update their information annually with the BC Corporate Registry, including details like the address, directors, and officers of the company.

Deadline: The filing deadline for the BC annual return is each year within two months following the anniversary of the corporation’s incorporation date.

Failure Consequences: If a corporation fails to file its annual return, it risks being struck off the BC Corporate Registry. This can lead to the dissolution of the corporation, terminating its legal status and its ability to legally conduct business in British Columbia. Additionally, non-compliance might attract penalties and administrative fees.

Quebec Annual Return:

 The Quebec annual return is a crucial compliance requirement for corporations operating in Quebec, Canada. Here are the key details regarding its filing, deadline, and the consequences of failing to comply:

Definition and Requirement:

Every Quebec corporation that falls under the Quebec Business Corporations Act is obligated to file an annual return with the Quebec Corporate Registry Office. This filing is required for corporations that are in an “active” legal status, meaning they are not dissolved, discontinued, or amalgamated with another corporation. It’s important to note that this return is a corporate law requirement and is distinct from any tax-related filings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)​​.

Quebec Annual Return Filing Deadline:

The deadline for filing the Quebec annual return is within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date. This anniversary date is the date when the corporation was first incorporated, amalgamated, or continued under the Quebec Business Corporation Act. Corporations do not need to file an annual return for the year they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

If a corporation fails to file its annual returns, it may face dissolution by the Quebec Corporate Registry Office. This step is taken when it is assumed that a non-compliant corporation is not operating. The dissolution of a corporation legally ends its existence and has serious repercussions, including the loss of legal capacity to conduct business within Quebec​.

Saskatchewan Annual Return

The Saskatchewan annual return is an important legal requirement for corporations operating in Saskatchewan, Canada. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails, its deadline, and the potential consequences for failing to comply:

Every corporation that is under the Saskatchewan Business Corporations Act must file an annual return with the Saskatchewan Corporate Registry Office. This requirement applies to corporations whose legal status is “active,” which means they are not dissolved, discontinued, or amalgamated with another corporation. It’s crucial to note that this return is a corporate law requirement, distinct from any tax filings that might be due to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)​​.

Filing Deadline of Saskatchewan:

The deadline for filing the Saskatchewan annual return is within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date. This anniversary date refers to the date when the corporation was initially incorporated, amalgamated, or continued under the Saskatchewan Business Corporation Act. Corporations are not required to file an annual return for the year in which they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

If a corporation fails to file its annual returns, it may face dissolution by the Saskatchewan Corporate Registry Office. This step is typically taken when it’s assumed that a non-compliant corporation is not operational. The dissolution legally ends the corporation’s existence and can have serious implications, including the loss of the legal capacity to conduct business within Saskatchewan.

Filing Annual Return of Manitoba Corporations

The Manitoba annual return is a regulatory filing requirement for corporations in Manitoba, Canada. Key aspects of this filing include:

Definition and Purpose: The Manitoba annual return is an obligatory document that must be filed by every corporation incorporated in Manitoba. It serves to update the Manitoba Corporate Registry with the most recent information about the corporation, such as corporate addresses, directors, and officers​​​​.

Filing Deadline: Corporations must file their annual return within 60 days following their anniversary date. The anniversary date is the specific date when the corporation was initially incorporated, amalgamated, or continued under the Manitoba Business Corporation Act. It’s important to note that corporations do not file an annual return for the year they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Failure Consequences: If a corporation fails to file its annual return in Manitoba, it faces the risk of administrative dissolution. This means that the corporation could be dissolved by the provincial government, losing its legal status and the ability to conduct business legally within Manitoba​​

An Annual Return of Information must be filed every year. Failure to file an Annual Return for two consecutive years will result in the Dissolution of a Manitoba corporation or the Cancellation of Registration of an Extra-Provincial and Federal corporation.

Online Annual Return filing for New Brunswick

The New Brunswick annual return is a key regulatory requirement for corporations operating in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Here are the essential aspects of this requirement:

Every corporation that falls under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act and is in an active status (not dissolved, discontinued, or amalgamated with another corporation) is required to file an annual return with the New Brunswick Corporate Registry Office. This filing is an annual obligation and is critical for maintaining the corporation’s legal status​​.

Filing Deadline of New Brunswick:

The annual return must be filed within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date. This date is significant as it marks the corporation’s incorporation, amalgamation, or continuation under the New Brunswick Business Corporation Act. It’s important to note that corporations are not required to file an annual return for the year in which they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

Failure to file the annual return can have severe repercussions. The New Brunswick Corporate Registry Office is obligated to ensure that corporate information is current. If a corporation does not file its annual returns, it may be presumed to be non-operational, and steps can be taken to dissolve it legally. This dissolution means the end of the corporation’s legal existence, which can have serious implications, including the loss of legal capacity to conduct business.

To file a New Brunswick annual return for the current or previous years, you will need the following:

New Brunswick Account Business Number or Corporate Registry reference number from the certificate of incorporation or annual return form. If you do not have this document, you may find your Corporate Registry reference number by searching the Corporate Registry Database.

Annual Return for Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia annual return is a key requirement for corporations operating in Nova Scotia, Canada. Here are the details regarding its filing, deadline, and the consequences of failing to comply:

Every corporation in Nova Scotia that falls under the Nova Scotia Business Corporations Act must file an annual return with the Nova Scotia Corporate Registry Office. This requirement applies to corporations whose legal status is “active,” meaning they are not dissolved, discontinued, or amalgamated with another corporation. It’s important to clarify that this annual return is a corporate law requirement and is entirely separate from any tax-related filings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)​​.

Filing Deadline: The deadline for filing the Nova Scotia annual return is within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date. The anniversary date is the date when the corporation was first incorporated, amalgamated, or continued under the Nova Scotia Business Corporation Act. Notably, corporations do not need to file an annual return for the year in which they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Consequences of Non-Compliance: If a corporation fails to file its annual returns, it may face dissolution by the Nova Scotia Corporate Registry Office. This step is taken under the assumption that a non-compliant corporation is not operating. The dissolution of a corporation legally ends its existence and has serious implications, including the loss of legal capacity to conduct business within Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island Annual Return, Deadline, and failure consequences?

The Prince Edward Island annual return is an important legal requirement for corporations operating in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Here are the key details about its filing, deadline, and the consequences of not complying:

Every corporation subject to the Prince Edward Island Business Corporations Act is required to file an annual return with the Prince Edward Island Corporate Registry Office. This filing applies to corporations whose legal status is “active,” meaning they are not dissolved, discontinued, or amalgamated with another corporation. It’s important to note that this return is a corporate law requirement and is distinct from any tax filings with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)​​.

Filing Deadline: The deadline for filing the Prince Edward Island annual return is within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date. The anniversary date refers to the date when the corporation was incorporated, amalgamated, or continued under the Prince Edward Island Business Corporation Act. Corporations do not need to file an annual return for the year in which they were incorporated, amalgamated, or continued​​.

Consequences of Non-Compliance: If a corporation fails to file its annual returns, it risks being dissolved by the Prince Edward Island Corporate Registry Office. This assumes that a non-compliant corporation is not operational. Dissolution legally ends the corporation’s existence and can have serious implications, including the loss of the legal capacity to conduct business​.

Annual Returns for Newfoundland

To maintain its corporate status, a corporation must file an Annual Return prior to the end of month in which the date of its registration, amalgamation, or revival, whichever is later, occurs. The Companies and Deeds Online (CADO) system will permit filing annual returns online for the previous three years. If your company has failed to file its annual returns for 2001 or earlier please contact the Registry of Companies for instructions on how to file these late returns.

Note: Late fees will apply for each annual return your company has failed to file on time.

File: annual return for a Yukon corporation

A corporation must meet the requirements of subsection 267(1) of the Business Corporations Act. This means submitting its annual return by the last day of the month after its incorporation anniversary.

For example, the incorporation anniversary is June 1, so the corporation must file its return by July 31 that year.

Consequences of Non-Compliance (Federal and Provincial):

Failure to file the annual return within the prescribed deadlines can have serious consequences, including fines, penalties, and potential dissolution of the corporation. It’s essential to stay informed and meet all filing requirements to maintain good standing.

What is Difference between  Annual tax Return and Annual Return ?

Annual Tax Return and Annual Return serve distinct purposes.

The Annual Tax Return is filed with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and focuses on financial information, reporting a corporation’s or individual’s income, expenses, and taxes for the fiscal year.

Conversely, Annual Return is a corporate compliance document filed with a provincial corporate registry or Corporations Canada. It updates or confirms a corporation’s structural information, such as addresses, directors, and officers, ensuring public records are current.

While the tax return is about financial accountability and tax obligations, the annual return maintains legal and regulatory compliance for corporate entities.

What if there is no change for Annual Return?

Even if there are no changes in a corporation’s information, filing the Annual Return is still mandatory. This process confirms the accuracy of the existing details on record with the relevant corporate registry. It ensures that the corporation remains compliant with legal requirements and maintains its good standing, despite the absence of any changes to report.

Conclusion

If a corporation fails to file an annual return within the prescribed delay, a penalty fee may be imposed. If a corporation repeatedly fails to file its annual returns (typically for 2 consecutive years), the government department or agency may remove the corporation from the government records. If a corporation has been struck from government records, the corporation may be affected in a variety of ways. To re-register the corporation must typically bring its annual filings up to date and pay a penalty fee.

Frequently Asked Questions about Annual Return in

Q1: What is a Federal Annual Return?

A: It’s an annual filing requirement for all active federal corporations in Canada, including for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Q2: Why is filing the Annual Return important?

A: It’s mandatory to keep the corporation’s information updated with the federal government and avoid legal consequences.

Q3: When should the Annual Return be filed?

A: Within 60 days following the corporation’s anniversary date.

Q4: What happens if I don’t file the Annual Return?

A: The corporation may be dissolved by Corporations Canada, affecting its legal operation.

Q5: Can I update my corporation’s name in the Annual Return?

A: No, changes to the corporation’s name require filing Articles of Amendment.

Q6: What details are needed to file the Annual Return?

A: The corporate name, corporate key, and any changes in the corporation’s information.

Q7: How do I know my corporation’s anniversary date?

A: It’s listed on your Articles of Incorporation, or you can use services to retrieve it.

Q8: Is filing necessary even if there are no changes in the corporation?

A: Yes, filing is mandatory regardless of whether there are changes or not.

Q9: How will I know the filing is complete?

A: You’ll receive a confirmation for your records and a reminder for the next year.

Q10: Are there other services available besides Annual Return filing?

A: Yes, services like Nuans Search and Report and Registered Business Services are also offered.