When should the annual return be delivered?
The annual return should be delivered to the Registrar of Companies for registration within 42 days after the company's return date. Different types of companies have different return date. Sundays and public holidays are included when calculating the 42-day period.
The company is due to deliver its annual return for registration. The company particulars and those of the directors and company secretary have also been changed. Can the changes be reported in the annual return ?
Particulars of the company and its officers as at the date of annual return should be stated in the annual return. Changes of the company particulars should be reported in the appropriate specified forms according to the relevant provisions of the Companies Ordinance. For example, a Form NR1 should be delivered for registration to report the change in the registered office address and a Form ND2B should be delivered for registration to report the change of residential addresses of directors.
If I do not deliver any annual returns for registration, will the Companies Registry strike off/ cancel/ dissolve my company?
A company which fails to deliver its annual returns to the Companies Registry within the prescribed time period is in breach of the Companies Ordinance. The company and every responsible person of the company are liable to prosecution. The Registrar of Companies may consider taking strike-off action in appropriate cases.
We are a small company and have not traded in the past few years. Why do we still have to deliver annual returns for registration?
Private companies (other than those which have declared dormant and delivered the relevant special resolutions to the Companies Registry under section 5 of the Companies Ordinance) are required to deliver annual returns within 42 days after the anniversary of the date of incorporation of the company for registration.