CAC Annual Returns in Nigeria: How to File and Avoid Penalties (2026)
Every registered business in Nigeria has one ongoing compliance obligation that outlasts every other — annual returns. Thousands of Nigerian companies are struck off the CAC register every year not because they failed to register, but because they stopped filing after registration. The result: their business name becomes available for competitors to register, their bank accounts can be frozen, and every director becomes personally liable for the accumulated penalties.
From 1 January 2024, the CAC commenced full application of penalties under the Companies Regulations 2021 against both the company and its individual directors for non-compliance. This is no longer a theoretical risk. This guide explains exactly what annual returns are, when they are due, what they cost, and how to file — including how to clear outstanding arrears if you have missed previous filings.
What are CAC annual returns in Nigeria?
CAC annual returns are mandatory yearly reports that every registered business in Nigeria must file with the Corporate Affairs Commission to confirm the business is still active and operational. They are not tax returns — they do not report profit or tax liability. They update the CAC’s public record on your company’s directors, shareholders, registered address, and business activities. Failure to file results in late penalties charged per year of default against both the company and its directors personally, and ultimately in the business being struck off the register.
The CAC publicly announced on its website that from 1 January 2024, it commenced full application of penalties under the Companies Regulations 2021 for failure to file annual returns — against the company AND each of its directors and officers personally. Companies with years of outstanding returns are being identified and struck off. If your returns are overdue, address this immediately. EBC Consults handles back-filing and arrears clearance for companies with outstanding obligations.
Annual Returns vs Tax Returns — The Difference Nigerian Business Owners Confuse Most
| CAC Annual Returns | Tax Returns (NRS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed with | Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) | Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) — formerly FIRS |
| What it reports | Company structure — directors, shareholders, registered address, business activities. Confirms the business is still active. | Financial performance — income, expenses, profit, and tax liability for the year |
| Purpose | Keep your company in “Active” status on the CAC register and maintain public record accuracy | Calculate and pay the correct amount of tax owed to the government |
| Deadline | Within 42 days of AGM (companies) or annually (business names). First return within 18 months of incorporation. | 6 months after financial year-end for companies. 31 March annually for business names and individuals. |
| Filing fee | ₦10,000/year (companies) · ₦5,000/year (business names) | Depends on tax type and liability |
| You must file both separately. Filing your tax returns with the NRS does not satisfy your CAC annual returns obligation. They are two different filings with two different government bodies. | ||
Filing Deadlines — When Are Annual Returns Due?
| Entity Type | First Return | Subsequent Returns | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (Ltd) | Within 18 months of incorporation date | Within 42 days after each Annual General Meeting (AGM) | Companies with 31 Dec year-end must file by 30 June of the following year |
| Business Name | First full year after registration | Once per calendar year — deadline published on CAC portal annually | Simpler process — confirm current deadline at cac.gov.ng before filing |
| Incorporated Trustees (NGO) | First full year after registration | Within 42 days of each year-end | Must include details of trustees, activities, and assets |
| Grace period for new companies: You are not required to file in the same year of incorporation. Your first filing is due within 18 months of your incorporation date — not in year one. | |||
How Much Do Annual Returns Cost in Nigeria?
| Entity Type | Annual Filing Fee | Late Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Private Ltd — small company | ₦10,000 per year (filing fee) | Late penalty: ₦5,000 per year on the company + ₦1,000 per year on each director/officer |
| Private Ltd — other than small | ₦10,000 per year (filing fee) | Late penalty: ₦10,000 per year on the company + ₦1,000 per year on each director/officer |
| Business Name | ₦5,000 per year (filing fee) | Late penalty of 5,000 applies per year of default — confirm current amount at cac.gov.ng |
| Incorporated Trustees (NGO) | Contact CAC for current fee | Same penalty regime as companies |
| Penalty amounts are set by the Companies Regulations 2021 and applied per day of default. The longer you wait, the larger the arrears. File immediately if you are overdue — penalties do not stop accumulating until you file and pay. | ||
Stage 1 — Your company status on the CAC portal changes from Active to Inactive. Banks may flag your account. Stage 2 — Late penalties accrue per year of default: ₦5,000/year on a small company or ₦10,000/year on other private companies, plus ₦1,000 per director/officer per year. Note: the Companies Regulations 2021 also provide for a daily penalty of up to ₦1,000 — however this daily penalty is currently suspended by the CAC until further notice; the per-year flat penalty is what is currently enforced. Stage 3 — The CAC sends a strike-off notice. Stage 4 — Your company name is struck off the register and becomes available for any other person to register. Stage 5 — Reinstatement requires a court order, back-payment of all outstanding fees and penalties, and re-registration costs.
How to File Annual Returns on the CAC Portal — Step by Step
Log Into Your CAC Portal Account
Go to icrp.cac.gov.ng and log into your company’s CAC portal account using the email address and password used during registration. If you do not have the login details (common for companies registered through an agent), contact EBC Consults — we can help retrieve access.
Select Annual Returns from Your Dashboard
From your dashboard, select the Annual Returns filing option for your entity type. Choose the year(s) you are filing for. If you have multiple outstanding years, you will file each year separately.
Confirm and Update Company Information
Review and confirm your company’s current details: registered address, directors, shareholders, and nature of business. If any details have changed since your last filing, update them at this stage. Annual returns are the primary mechanism for keeping your CAC records current.
Attach Supporting Documents
For companies: attach your audited financial statements or Statement of Affairs (for companies that have not yet traded). For business names: confirm proprietor details and business address. For NGOs: attach details of trustees and activities summary for the year.
Pay the Filing Fee
Pay the ₦10,000 (company) or ₦5,000 (business name) filing fee through the CAC portal payment system. Keep your payment receipt. If you have outstanding years, you will need to pay the filing fee plus accumulated penalties for each year separately.
Download Your Filing Confirmation
After successful submission and payment, your company’s status returns to Active on the CAC register. Download your filing confirmation from the portal. EBC Consults sends clients a confirmation report after each annual returns filing we manage.
Want EBC Consults to manage your annual returns?
We handle annual returns filing for all entity types — companies, business names, and NGOs. We also clear arrears for companies with outstanding obligations. Contact us before the penalties grow further.
📲 WhatsApp EBC Consults — File My Annual Returns
We respond within the hour on business days
How to Clear Outstanding Annual Returns Arrears
If you have missed one or more years of annual returns, here is the back-filing process:
- Do not ignore it: Penalties continue accumulating every day you do not file. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes
- File the oldest year first: Back-filing must be done chronologically — start with the earliest outstanding year and work forward to the current year
- Pay penalties at the time of each year’s filing: The CAC portal calculates the accumulated penalty for each year — pay it in full before the next year can be filed
- What to provide for back-filing: For each outstanding year, you will need financial statements or a Statement of Affairs for that year. For inactive companies that never traded, a Statement of Affairs is typically sufficient
- If your company has been struck off: Reinstatement requires an application to the Federal High Court and is significantly more complex and expensive than back-filing. Contact EBC Consults immediately if your company has been struck off
Frequently Asked Questions — CAC Annual Returns Nigeria
Keep your company compliant — EBC Consults manages your annual returns
EBC Consults files annual returns for Nigerian companies, business names, and NGOs — on time, every year. We also clear outstanding arrears for companies with missed filings and handle reinstatement for struck-off companies. Contact us before the penalties grow further.
📲 WhatsApp EBC Consults — Annual Returns Help
hello@ebconsults.ng | ebconsults.ng/services/company-registration/
📥 Download our free 2026 Nigeria Business Compliance Calendar — all CAC deadlines in one place
