CIPA Annual Returns

CIPA (Companies and Intellectual Property Authority) Annual Returns in Botswana are mandatory yearly filings required to keep company information up to date. This process ensures that corporate details such as directors, auditors, addresses, financial year-end, and company names remain accurate in CIPA’s records.

Failing to file annual returns on time can lead to penalties or even deregistration of your company. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of filing your CIPA annual returns in Botswana.

Step 1: Register as a CIPA Customer

Before you can file your annual returns, you need to be a registered customer on the CIPA online portal.

  • Visit CIPA’s official website.
  • Click on “Customer Registration.”
  • Fill in the required details and submit your application.
  • Once registered, you will receive a customer code that will be used for payments and transactions.

Step 2: Calculate the Annual Return Fee

To determine the amount you need to pay for your annual return filing:

  1. Log in to the CIPA portal.
  2. Navigate to the Annual Return section.
  3. Enter your company’s registration number.
  4. Confirm your company’s details.
  5. Input your company’s turnover to calculate the applicable fee.

Step 3: Make the Payment

Once you have calculated the annual return fee, you must deposit the required amount into the CIPA bank account.

Payment Options:

  • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Use your customer code as the reference.
  • Bank Deposit (Preferred Option):
    • Bank: ABSA Botswana
    • Account Type: Transmission Account
    • Account Name: CIPA
    • Account Number: 4055 68 1017
    • Branch: Van der Walt Street
    • Reference: CUSTOMER CODE + DATE (DDMMYYYY) + 01

Note: Payments made at ABSA reflect within an hour, while those made at other banks may take 2-3 days.

Step 4: File Your Annual Return Online

Once your payment has been processed:

  1. Log in to the CIPA Annual Return portal.
  2. Select “File / Lodge AR.”
  3. Verify and update your company details where necessary.
  4. Confirm all sections and proceed to submit the filing.
  5. Click on “Generate Certificate” to obtain proof of compliance.

Why Filing CIPA Annual Returns is Important

  • Ensures your company remains legally compliant.
  • Avoids penalties and possible deregistration.
  • Keeps your company details accurate for business transactions.
  • Maintains trust with stakeholders and regulatory bodies.