NLIS 1
November 1, 2005
(Government Services)
Companies notified of
change to annual return filing dates
Dianne Whalen, Minister of Government
Services, announced today that starting January 1, 2006, companies
will be required to file their annual return prior to the end of the
month in which the date of their registration, amalgamation, or
revival, whichever is later, occurs. Previously, all companies were
required to file returns by April 1 of each year.
�This change will improve services significantly,� said Minister
Whalen. �In the past, there would be a rush of annual returns
leading up to the April 1 deadline which in turn sometimes required
some time to process. With this change, the filing dates will be
staggered depending on the anniversary of a company. This will mean
that processing will be prompt and the overall service for all
companies improved.�
All corporations doing business in the province are required to
register with the Registry of Companies and file annual returns to
remain in good standing. Reminder notices will continue to be sent
out 60 days prior to the expiration of the previous return. A
brochure will be sent out to all active registered companies and
should be arriving in the mail this week.
�I would encourage those who receive this brochure to look at it
carefully as it has detailed information on the transition period
for 2005 and 2006 annual returns. Although the annual return fee
will remain the same, the fee will be pro-rated for each month up
to, but not including, the anniversary month in 2006. It is very
important that these figures are consulted in order to determine the
fee for 2006,� said Minister Whalen.
After the transitional period, future annual returns will return to
a 12 month filing period (from the first day in the anniversary
month to the last day of the month prior to the anniversary). The
annual return fee in future years will resume at the annual 12 month
rate.
Companies can file their returns online through the Companies and
Deeds Online (CADO) system. CADO makes it easier for companies to
file their annual returns from the comfort of the users' homes or
offices. Other benefits include:
- records being immediately
updated;
- certainty that the documents
will arrive on time and not be returned for incomplete
information; and
- ability to file anytime, day or
night, from your own computer.
In addition, as of November 1, 2005
companies will be able to back file their returns for the last three
years. This will ensure that they are not involuntarily dissolved or
cancelled from the registry. Late fees will be applied for each
annual return prior to April 1, 2005 not filed on time.
CADO is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at
https://cado.eservices.gov.nl.ca. Companies or individuals
requiring further information on how to use CADO can contact
Lorraine Vokey at (709) 729-5724 or Dean Doyle at (709) 729-4043.
More detailed information can be obtained from Commercial
Registrations Division Web site at
www.gov.nl.ca/gs/cr.
Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-4860,
682-6593
2005 11 01
10:00 a.m. |