In Kenya, companies must file annual returns with the Registrar of Companies. These returns are separate from the tax returns filed with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Annual returns should be filed within 42 days after the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which must be held within six months of the financial year-end.

Filing Process:

  1. eCitizen Portal:Filing annual returns is done through the eCitizen portal.
  2. Form CR 29:The annual return is also known as Form CR 29.
  3. Information Required:The annual return includes details such as the company’s registered office, the address of the register of members, the address of the register of debenture holders, and a summary of the share capital.
  4. Timelines:The first annual return is filed one year and six months after incorporation, and then every other year thereafter.
  5. Penalties:Failure to file annual returns on time can result in penalties for the company and its defaulting officers, including fines and potential de-listing by the Registrar of Companies.
  6. Interim Annual Returns:Some companies may opt for interim annual returns to reflect changes like share transfers or director removals, even if annual returns are typically filed annually.

On Company Annual Returns in Kenya, Section 125 of the Companies Act stipulates that every company having a share capital shall, once at least in every year, make a return, and the said return shall be in the form and shall be made up to the date of the fourteenth day after the date of the annual general meeting.

What are annual returns?

Annual returns or Form 29 is a statutory document that every registered company in Kenya has to file with the registrar of companies to show the “current” status of the company. Annual returns highlight the structure of the company, the shareholding, the division of shares, the Nominal capital, the names and addresses of the directors and shareholders in a company. The current registered office of the company and details of the company secretary if available. Company annual returns filling is done after every 12 months online through the e citizen portal.

Contact OCL business associates for company annual returns filling in Kenya today.