If Yes then Now is the time to file your Annual Return Form B1 in order to avoid possible late filing fees with the Companies Registration Office
What is the Form B1 Annual Return?
The Annual Return is a document B1 which, shows details of the registration number, registered office address, authorised and issued share capital, members and any share transfers in the preceeding year, directors and their details and the company secretary. The annual return is made up to fourteen days after the AGM and must be filed with the Registrar with the accounts. An annual return is required to be delivered by an Irish company, whether trading or not, to the CRO once at least in every calendar year.
Should a company fail to file its annual return and accounts, the Registrar of Companies may have the company struck off. Then the company ceases to exist and any assets become the property of the State.
What is the ARD?
A new company’s Annual Return Date or sometime referred to as “ARD” is the date six months from its date of incorporation. Although not statutorily required to do so, the CRO has a policy of sending an ARD reminder to each company at its registered office in advance of the company’s ARD every year.
Does every company have to file a Form B1?
Every company, whether trading or not, is obliged to file an annual return each calender year at the Companies Registration Office not later than 28 days from its statutory annual return date (ARD). A company director must ensure that an annual return on behalf of the company is delivered to the CRO at least once in every calendar year. The annual return sets out certain prescribed information in respect of the company.
A company’s annual return is required to be made up to a date every year which is no later than the company’s Annual Return Date and to be filed with the CRO within 28 days of the date to which it has been made up.
Where accounts are required to be attached to the annual return, the return filing deadline is either:
- The company’s ARD plus 28 days
- The company’s financial year end plus 9 months and 28 days – whichever is the earlier



