Registrar-General’s Department increases penalty for late filing of annual returns

The Registrar-General’s Department has increased by 11 per cent the penalty for late filing of Annual Returns for Company Entities, a statement from the agency said. 

The new directive is expected to take effect from June 30, 2022. 

The increment from GH¢450 to GH¢500 will affect Private Unlimited Companies, Public/Private Companies Limited by Shares, and Public/Private Companies Limited by Guarantee such as churches, schools, unions, associations, and clubs.

“These companies are to file their Financial Statements together with their Annual Returns at a cost of GH¢50.00 per year,” it stated. 

In addition, external companies are to submit their accounts to the Department at a cost of $600 per year or pay a penalty of $750 in addition to fees for all defaulted years.

The RGD further encouraged companies to file their beneficial ownership information at a cost of GH¢60.00 per company before filing their company’s annual returns or amendments.

It also called on companies who seek a name change to comply with provisions in the Companies Act, 2019(Act 992) which required that a Company Secretary submits a special resolution for a change of Company Name.

“All Companies who have not as yet adopted a new constitution in place of their Company’s Regulations are being reminded to do so before the end of the year, December 31, 2022.”