Cayman Islands Annual Return Filing — Stay Compliant, Stay in Good Standing
Ensure your Cayman Islands company meets its yearly obligations to the Registrar of Companies on time. We take care of the entire annual return process — from preparing your declarations to submitting filings through the Cayman Business Portal — so you can focus on running your business.
Understanding Cayman Islands Annual Return Filing
Every entity registered in the Cayman Islands is required to submit an annual return along with the applicable government registration fee to the Registrar of Companies. For exempted companies — the most common type used by international businesses — this involves a statutory declaration confirming that operations are conducted principally outside the Islands and that the entity complies with the Companies Act.
The annual return is filed electronically through the Cayman Business Portal (CBP) and must be accompanied by payment of the prescribed annual fee. Importantly, an Economic Substance Notification (ESN) must be submitted to the Department for International Tax Cooperation (DITC) before the annual return can be processed.
Timely filing is essential — companies that fail to meet the deadline cannot obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, and prolonged non-compliance may ultimately lead to the entity being struck off the register with its assets vesting in the Government.
Information Required
Company Particulars
Registered Office Details
Share Capital Information
Compliance Declaration
The Economic Substance Notification (ESN) must be filed with the DITC before the annual return can be submitted. Changes to directors, officers, and beneficial ownership should be reported separately as they occur.
Important Considerations
ESN Prerequisite
CIMA-Regulated Entities
Newly Incorporated Companies
Certificate of Good Standing
Unlike some other jurisdictions, the Cayman Islands does not provide blanket exemptions from annual return filing — all registered entities are required to file regardless of activity status.
Penalty Structure
April to June (Q2)
A surcharge of 33.33% of the annual fee is imposed for filings submitted between April 1 and June 30July to September (Q3)
The surcharge increases to 66.67% of the annual fee for filings submitted between July 1 and September 30October to December (Q4)
The surcharge reaches 100% of the annual fee — effectively doubling the total amount payableDeemed defunct & strike-off
After 12 months of non-compliance, the company is deemed defunct and the Registrar may remove it from the register, with assets vesting in the GovernmentLate penalties can be avoided entirely by completing the filing and fee payment before 5:00 PM on the last business day of March. Filings received after this cutoff are treated as next-business-day submissions.
Annual Return Filing Timeline
Annual returns and government fees become due on January 1 each year. The filing must be completed by January 31 to maintain a Certificate of Good Standing, with a penalty-free grace period extending to March 31.
| Calendar Year | Filing Period Opens | Good Standing Deadline | Grace Period Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Annual Return | 1st January 2025 | 31st January 2025 | 31st March 2025 |
| 2026 Annual Return | 1st January 2026 | 31st January 2026 | 31st March 2026 |
Your Cayman Annual Return, Handled with Care
We take the complexity out of your Cayman Islands annual return — from preparing your statutory declaration to submitting it through the Business Portal, so you never have to worry about compliance gaps.
Inclusive Pricing
Filing fees are bundled into your annual compliance package — no unexpected costs or add-on charges along the way.
Cayman Islands Regulatory Knowledge
Our team is well-versed in Cayman's Companies Act requirements, General Registry procedures, and the annual return process for exempted companies.
Single Point of Contact
A dedicated relationship manager oversees your filing from start to finish, providing continuity and personalized attention.
Proactive Deadline Management
Receive advance notifications well before the January 31 deadline, with structured follow-ups to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Efficient Processing
We prepare and submit your return promptly, helping your company maintain its Certificate of Good Standing without unnecessary delays.
Annual Return Filing, Taken Off Your Plate
From gathering your company particulars to completing the submission with the Registrar of Companies, we handle the entire process on your behalf.
Annual Return Filing — Included at No Extra Cost
Your Cayman Islands annual return is covered as part of your compliance package. Straightforward pricing with no add-ons.
For Existing Customers
For Company Transfers
What's Included
Full annual return preparation and declaration
Submission to the Registrar of Companies via the Business Portal
Filing confirmation and compliance records
Dedicated relationship manager throughout
Advance deadline alerts and follow-up reminders
How Your Cayman Annual Return Gets Filed
A clear, step-by-step look at how we manage your Cayman Islands annual return from start to finish.
Kick Off Your Filing
Get in touch to begin the process. We verify your company particulars, registered office details, and share capital information, and confirm everything is up to date before proceeding.
Declaration & Document Preparation
We prepare the statutory declaration confirming your company's compliance with the Companies Act and that operations have been conducted principally outside the Cayman Islands. You review and sign off on the documentation.
Submission to the Registrar
Once your documents are signed, we submit the annual return along with the government registration fee through the Cayman Business Portal to the Registrar of Companies.
Confirmation & Good Standing
Once the submission is accepted, we share your filing confirmation as proof that your company has fulfilled its annual return obligation and remains in good standing.
Get Your Cayman Annual Return Filed
Accurate, on time, and fully managed. We take care of your Cayman Islands annual return so you don't have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cayman Islands annual return filing answered by our compliance team.
For Expanship-managed companies, the annual return service is included in your compliance package at no additional charge. For companies transferring to Expanship with overdue returns, there is a fee of US$225 per outstanding filing.
Annual returns become due on January 1 each year. To maintain your Certificate of Good Standing, the return and fee must be submitted by January 31. A penalty-free grace period extends to the last business day of March.
Late penalties accrue on a quarterly basis as a percentage of your annual fee: 33.33% from April to June, 66.67% from July to September, and 100% from October to December — effectively doubling the total amount owed. After 12 months, the company may be deemed defunct and struck off the register.
You'll need to confirm your company particulars — entity type, registered office address, share capital details, and nature of business. We prepare the statutory declaration confirming compliance with the Companies Act, which you review and sign off on.
Yes. An Economic Substance Notification (ESN) must be submitted to the DITC before the Registrar will accept your annual return. We coordinate both filings to ensure everything is completed in the correct sequence.
This service is available exclusively for Cayman Islands companies managed through Expanship. If your entity is currently with another provider, you can transfer to us and we'll take care of any outstanding returns during the transition.
Your relationship manager sends advance notifications well before the January 31 deadline, with follow-up reminders to ensure timely submission. We track all filing dates on your behalf so nothing is missed.
Beyond escalating financial penalties, a company that remains non-compliant for 12 months is deemed defunct by the Registrar and may be struck off the register. Once struck off, the company's assets vest in the Government of the Cayman Islands.
Yes. Once the Registrar accepts the submission, we provide you with a filing confirmation as proof that your entity has fulfilled its annual return obligation for the year.
Questions About Your Cayman Annual Return?
Whether you need clarity on filing deadlines, government fees, or the submission process, our team is ready to assist.
