The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has extended the deadline for filing annual returns and renewing business names to June 30, 2026, offering businesses additional time to meet statutory obligations and avoid penalties.
In a statement issued on April 28, the ORC said the extension, originally set to expire on April 30, follows an operational review that revealed compliance challenges and documentation delays among a number of businesses.
“This extension is intended to provide a final opportunity for affected entities to regularize their status and meet their statutory obligations without immediate sanctions, while promoting broader compliance across the business community,” the statement said.
The Registrar reminded stakeholders that filing annual returns and renewing business names remain mandatory under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), the Incorporated Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152), and the Business Names Act, 1962 (Act 152). It stressed that these requirements are crucial for maintaining accurate records, ensuring transparency, and supporting a credible business environment.
Companies that fail to comply by the new deadline risk financial penalties. The ORC warned that “a penalty of GH¢2,000 will be issued against companies in default for five (5) years or more and GH¢1,000 for companies in default for one (1) to four (4) years.”
The extension applies only to companies with financial years ending December 31 and excludes entities with different reporting periods. Additionally, business names that are not renewed within the stipulated timeframe risk removal from the register and may lose their legal standing to operate.
The ORC also highlighted relief measures under Directive No. 5 issued in January 2025, which provide significant concessions for small-scale companies. These include exemption from full external audits and the option to submit a simplified auditor’s review report.
“Small scale companies are exempt from the statutory requirement for a full external audit and auditor’s report,” the ORC noted, adding that eligible firms may instead submit “a brief review of the financial statements…rather than a full audit opinion.”
The Registrar urged businesses to take advantage of both the extended deadline and the regulatory reliefs, cautioning that no further extensions will be granted.
“All businesses are urged to make use of the extended deadline and the available regulatory reliefs to regularize their operations, avoid penalties and maintain good standing as there would be no further extension after this,” the statement emphasised.
The ORC encouraged the public to reach out through its official communication channels for further clarification.
