Registrar of Companies extends deadline for filing annual returns, renewals
The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) has announced an extension of the deadline for filing Annual Returns and Renewals until September 30, 2023.
This decision was made to accommodate Companies and Businesses that were unable to complete the filing process due to technical issues with the software application system.
The deadline extension applies to various entities, including Business Names, Companies Limited by Shares, Companies Limited by Guarantee (such as Churches, Schools, Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs], Civil Society Organizations [CSOs], Foundations, Associations, Unions, Societies, Charities, etc.), External Companies, Partnerships, and Professional Bodies.
The ORC indicated in a statement that as of June 30, 2023, the Companies and Businesses registered since 2011, who have filed their Annual Returns and Renewals and are in good standing are;
The ORC also assured that by the end of September 2023, it will initiate the process of removing Businesses and Companies in default from the Register.
According to Section 5A (2) of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1962 (Act 151), the Registrar of Companies has the authority to strike off any Business Name and Subsidiary Business Name that remains in default for three months after the end of the year.
“The ORC will fully enforce Section 126(7) of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), which stipulates an administrative penalty of GHC300.00 (currently GHC12.00 per unit for 25 Penalty Units) to be charged against Companies and every officer for each day the default in non-filing persists.”
While the extension provides additional time, the ORC urged companies not to be complacent but to continue preparing the necessary documents to file their Annual Returns promptly to avoid paying the Administrative Penalty or jeopardizing their good standing.
Business Name Owners (Sole Proprietorships) and Partnerships are also required to renew their businesses by using the short code *222# and following the prompts for payment on the Ghana.gov.gh platform.
Alternatively, they can visit any of the ORC offices in Accra or the regions to make these payments at onsite Fidelity Bank.
The ORC cautioned against making any Mobile Money (Momo) transfers to any account in the name of the Office of the Registrar of Companies or Registrar-General’s Department.
“The ORC does not operate or have a ‘Momo’ Account, nor has it authorized any person to act on its behalf in striking off names of defaulting Companies. Vigilance is advised against scam calls and text messages requesting such ‘Momo’ transfers.”
For further assistance or inquiries, individuals can contact the ORC through WhatsApp/Telegram at 055-765-3130 or call 0302-666-081/03032-664-692. They can also engage with the ORC on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram using the handle @ORC Ghana.
Source: Ghana Business
