Annual Return
Paul McMahonAccounts & Returns
Companies must submit annual returns to the Companies Registration Office (CRO) within 28 days of their Annual Return Date (ARD). The return includes key company information and, for most companies, financial statements, directors’ reports, and auditors’ reports. Small companies may file abridged financial statements, provided they meet criteria such as a turnover below €12 million and fewer than 50 employees. Group exemptions are available under specific conditions, such as consolidated accounts and shareholder consent.
The ARD, typically six months post-incorporation, can be altered by notifying the CRO, but adjustments are restricted to once every five years. Non-compliance with return deadlines incurs higher filing fees, potential loss of audit exemptions, and administrative fines. Persistent failure to file may lead to the company being struck off, with notices published in the Gazette.
Companies under liquidation or voluntary strike-off are exempt from filing during the relevant period. Pre-2017 medium-sized companies had reduced disclosure obligations but must now meet full filing requirements unless qualifying as small companies. Subsidiaries of EU-based companies may omit accounts if certain conditions, like shareholder consent and parent company guarantees, are met. These provisions aim to ensure transparency while accommodating smaller entities with tailored obligations.
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