By Nexora Cyprus editorial team · General information — seek advice for your circumstances
Quick Summary
Key annual deadlines for a Cyprus company: HE32 annual return within 28 days of drafting; corporate tax return (IR4) by 31 January of the SECOND year following the tax year (FY2026 onwards — first deadline 31 January 2028; transitional FY2023 → 31 Mar 2026, FY2024 → 30 Nov 2026); provisional tax instalments on 31 July and 31 December; VAT returns by the 10th of the second month after the assigned period; VIES monthly by 15th of following month; UBO annual confirmation October–December. The €350 annual company levy was abolished from 2024.
Annual Levy Abolished — 2024
The Cyprus annual company registration levy of €350 (which applied from 2011 to 2023) was abolished with effect from 2024. No annual government levy is currently payable on registered Cyprus companies. Companies with unpaid levies from 2011–2023 remain liable for those arrears. The abolition represents a direct saving of €350 per year per registered company.
Key Annual Deadlines for a Cyprus Company
| Obligation | Deadline | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| HE32 Annual Return (Registrar) | 28 days from drafting date | €50 plus €1/day, capped at €150 for reference years 2021 onwards |
| AGM (Annual General Meeting) | Within 18 months of incorporation, then annually within 15 months of previous AGM | Fine on company and officers |
| Provisional Tax Return + 1st Instalment | 31 July of current year | Interest + surcharge |
| 2nd Provisional Tax Instalment | 31 December of current year | Interest + surcharge |
| Corporate Tax Return (IR4) | 31 January of the SECOND year following the tax year (post-2026 reform; FY2026 → 31 Jan 2028) — via the Tax Department filing system. Transitional: FY2023 → 31 Mar 2026, FY2024 → 30 Nov 2026. | €500 penalty + interest |
| Personal Income Tax Return (IR1) | 31 July (electronic) | €100 penalty + interest |
| VAT return | 10th of the second month after the assigned period | €100 late return penalty; unpaid VAT can attract 10% additional tax and interest |
| Beneficial Ownership Register Update | Within 45 days of becoming aware of a change | €100 plus €50/day, capped at €5,000; other liability is separate |
Cyprus Company Annual Compliance Calendar
| Obligation | Filing Deadline | Responsibility | Penalty for Late Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Return (HE32) | 28 days from drafting date | Company Secretary | €50 plus €1/day, capped at €150 for reference years 2021 onwards |
| Corporate Tax Return (IR4) | 31 January of the SECOND year following the tax year (FY2026 → 31 Jan 2028, post-reform). Transitional: FY2023 → 31 Mar 2026; FY2024 → 30 Nov 2026. | Company / Accountant | Applicable late-payment interest and charges |
| Provisional Tax — 1st Instalment | 31 July | Company / Accountant | Applicable late-payment interest and charges |
| Provisional Tax — 2nd Instalment | 31 December | Company / Accountant | Applicable late-payment interest and charges |
| VAT Return | 10th of second month after assigned period | Company / Accountant | €100 late return penalty; late payment charges are separate |
| VIES/EC Sales List | 15th of month following reporting month | Company / Accountant | €50 per late submission |
| UBO Register Annual Confirmation | 1 October – 31 December each year | Company Secretary / Director | €100 first day + €50/day, max €5,000 |
| Audited Financial Statements | Filed with HE32 at Registrar | ICPAC-licensed Auditor | Penalty for late filing of HE32 (see above) |
Every Cyprus company must file an HE32 annual return with the Cyprus Registrar of Companies. The HE32 provides a snapshot of the company's registered details — shareholders, directors, secretary, registered office, and share capital — as at the applicable return date.
File within 28 days of drafting, using the statutory reference-date rules. The AGM date alone does not establish the filing deadline. The initial reference date is the day after 18 months from incorporation; subsequent returns follow section 120.
HE32: drafting and reference dates
Use the company’s reference date and actual drafting date to establish the HE32 deadline. Keep evidence of both.
For reference years 2021 onwards, the administrative late filing charge starts at €50 and increases by €1 per day, up to €150. Ordinary filing fees and other enforcement measures are separate.
A late filing charge accrues daily up to the statutory cap. Persistent non-compliance may also lead to enforcement action.
Check the Registrar’s current fee schedule and the reference year of the outstanding return.
Cyprus operates a provisional tax system for CIT. Companies estimate their taxable profit for the current year and pay provisional tax in two equal instalments:
If estimated taxable income is below 75% of final taxable income, a 10% additional tax applies to the difference between final tax and provisional tax. Review estimates before the year-end instalment; incorporation during the year is not a blanket exemption.
If the provisional tax paid exceeds the final liability, the excess is refunded (or can be offset against the following year's liability).
All Cyprus companies must register their ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) — individuals who directly or indirectly hold more than 25% of the shares or voting rights — with the Cyprus Registrar of Companies' Beneficial Ownership Register (BOR). The BOR must be kept up to date, with any changes registered within 45 days of becoming aware of the change.
The current administrative charge is €100 plus €50 per day, capped at €5,000. Directors or managing directors who fail to comply may be jointly and/or severally liable with the entity for payment.
Cyprus Registrar company lifecycle and Cyprus Registrar forms and guidance publish the controlling material for this topic. Check the current law, form, circular or portal instructions before acting; this article is general information and the live official material prevails.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a qualified Cyprus adviser for guidance specific to your situation. The information on this page is general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, immigration or financial advice. Specific advice should be obtained based on the facts of each case.
— References linked in this article
Read each reference alongside the claim it accompanies and check current amendments before relying on it. General information — seek advice for your circumstances.
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