Every Irish company, whether it trades or not, must file an annual return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) at least once a year. The return is form B1, filed online on CORE for €20, and for most companies it must include financial statements. Miss the deadline and late fees start at €120, rising to €1,200 per return, and the company can lose its audit exemption for two years. Here is how the annual return works and how to stay on the right side of the deadlines.
Key facts
- Form: B1, filed electronically on CORE. Paper filing is no longer accepted.
- Fee: €20 when filed on time.
- Deadline: within 56 days of the company’s annual return date (ARD).
- First return: made up to six months after incorporation, with no financial statements attached.
- Late filing: fees start at €120 and can reach €1,200 per return.
- Bigger risk: a late return can cost the company its audit exemption for two years.
What is an annual return?
The annual return is a public snapshot of the company on its annual return date: its directors and secretary, registered office, shareholders and share capital. For most companies the return must also have the company’s financial statements attached. The B1 form, the attached documents and the fee together make up a complete annual return. If any part is missing, the return is not complete.
Annual return date and deadline
Every company has an annual return date (ARD), which you can check on CORE. It is the latest date the return can be made up to. The return must then be filed within 56 days of that date.
The first annual return is different: it is made up to the date six months after incorporation, and no financial statements are attached. For example, a company incorporated on 10 February is due to make its first return up to 10 August. After that, the ARD falls on the same date each year, so the next return would be made up to 10 August the following year.
Changing your annual return date
A company can bring its ARD forward, or extend it to a later date by filing form B1B73 (€20, online only). An extension can be used only once every five years, must be delivered within 56 days of the existing ARD, and should not be filed with the company’s first annual return. Extending the ARD also shortens the time available to prepare the financial statements, so talk to your accountant before changing it.
Financial statements: what must be attached?
The level of detail depends on the size of the company. Smaller companies can file less detailed accounts if they meet two of three size conditions, in the current and the previous financial year:
| Size | Balance sheet total | Turnover | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro company | Up to €450,000 | Up to €900,000 | Up to 10 |
| Small company | Up to €7.5 million | Up to €15 million | Up to 50 |
Small companies that rely on this exemption can file abridged financial statements, with the required directors’ statement on the balance sheet. These size exemptions do not apply to public limited or public unlimited companies.
Late filing: the real cost
Filing late has three consequences:
- Late filing fees. The initial late fee, including the registration fee, is €120, and fees can rise to a maximum of €1,200 per return.
- Loss of audit exemption. A company that files late can lose its entitlement to audit exemption for two years. For a small company, paying for a full audit usually costs far more than the late fee.
- Strike-off. Companies that fail to file annual returns can be struck off the register, which has serious consequences for directors and the company’s assets.
The 14 day rule for corrections
If CRO sends your return back for a correction or for the fee, you have 14 days to deliver a fully compliant return. If you miss that window, the original is treated as never delivered, the resubmission counts as a new filing, and the company may face late fees and lose audit exemption for two years. Treat a CRO send back letter as urgent.
Who signs the annual return?
Form B1 must be signed by a director and the company secretary. One person cannot sign as both, even in a single director company. If the same person signs in both roles, the form is rejected and returned. If you are the only director, you need a separate secretary to sign.
Checklist for filing on time
- Check your ARD on CORE and put the 56 day deadline in your calendar.
- Ask your accountant to have the financial statements ready well before the deadline.
- Confirm the director and secretary details on the form are up to date. Changes are filed on form B10, which is free.
- Make sure both a director and the secretary are available to sign.
- File and pay the €20 on CORE.
- Watch your email for any CRO send back letter and fix it within 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dormant company need to file an annual return?
Yes. Every company must file an annual return, whether it is trading or not.
How much does it cost to file an annual return in Ireland?
€20 when filed on time online. Late fees start at €120 and can reach €1,200 per return.
When is my company’s first annual return due?
It is made up to six months after incorporation and must be filed within 56 days of that date. No financial statements are needed with the first return.
Can I file the annual return on paper?
No. Annual returns must be filed electronically on CORE.
What happens if I file late?
You pay late filing fees, the company can lose audit exemption for two years, and continued failure to file can lead to the company being struck off.
Related guides
- How to set up a limited company in Ireland
- How to close a company in Ireland
- Sole trader vs limited company in Ireland
- How to start a business in Ireland
Sources
- CRO: Annual return
- CRO: Annual return date
- CRO: Filing an annual return
- CRO: Small company and micro company requirements
- CRO: Company fees
Checked against CRO guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or accounting advice. More business guides and news in our Business section.
