My understanding is that only companies that have to be audited are required to submit annual financial statements to CIPC?

This is true – at this stage.

Per the CIPC website: “Companies and close corporations by law are required to either file its audited financials, reviewed financials or financial supplement with its annual returns. Due to current system limitations, only audited financial statements must be filed.

It should be noted that only the audited financial statements must currently be filed with the CIPC. A company or close corporation, that is not required to file its audited financial statements, may still file such or its reviewed financial statements.

Companies and close corporations that is neither required to file its audited financial statements, nor voluntarily filed its audited financial statements or reviewed financial statements, must file a FAS (Financial Accountability Supplement – form CoR30.2) with its annual returns.”

All companies and close corporations, if it is required to prepare audited financial statements in terms of Companies Regulation 28 read with Companies Regulation 26, must file AFS via XBRL with CIPC at the same time of filing is annual returns. (previously done by emailing the financial statements to (financialstatements@cipc.co.za)”

Disclaimer:

Please note that the information provided does not constitute legal or professional advice, but rather the applicability of existing theory to a given practical situation. Due care is taken to ensure that the information is correct, but it remains subjective and an interpretation of application of information.