Companies given until June 30 to file annual returns — ORC extends deadline

The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has extended the deadline for filing annual returns and renewing business names from April 30 to June 30.

The extension is expected to give businesses additional time to address compliance challenges and complete outstanding documentation.

In a statement dated April 28, and signed Maame Serwaa Peprah, Registrar of Companies, the ORC added that the extension also offers a final window for defaulting entities to regularise their status without facing immediate sanctions.

“The deadline for filing Annual Returns and renewal of business names has been extended from 30th April 2026 to 30th June 2026,” the statement announced.

The ORC said the decision followed an operational review which revealed that a number of businesses were unable to meet the initial deadline due to delays and other compliance issues.

It stressed that filing annual returns and renewing business names remain mandatory under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), the Incorporated Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152), and the Business Names Act, 1962 (Act 152).

“Entities that fail to comply by the extended deadline will be subjected to penalties in addition to the applicable filing fees,” the statement cautioned.

The Registrar added that companies in default for five years or more will face a penalty of GH¢2,000, while those in default for one to four years will pay GH¢1,000.

The extension applies only to companies with financial year ending December 31 and excludes entities with different reporting periods.

The ORC also highlighted relief measures for small-scale companies, including exemption from full external audits and the option to submit simplified auditor review reports.