When is the return due?
Nine months after the financial year end. Enter the year end and this gives you the exact date, the days remaining, and the position if it has already passed.
The return is due nine months after the financial year end, filed with the registered agent rather than the Registry. It is not public and does not require an audit.
How the rule works
Section 98A of the BVI Business Companies Act, inserted by amendment in 2022 and in force from 1 January 2023, requires every company to file an annual return with its registered agent within nine months after the end of its financial year, unless a statutory exemption applies.
The financial year is the calendar year by default, unless the company has expressly adopted a different twelve-month period. The form and content are set by the BVI Business Companies (Financial Return) Order 2023: a balance sheet and an income statement, in any major currency, with no audit requirement.
The return goes to the registered agent, not to the Registry. It is not published and is not publicly searchable, though competent authorities can request access.
Common exemptions
- Entities regulated under BVI financial services legislation that already file financial statements with the Commission
- Companies listed on a recognised stock exchange
- Companies that file an annual tax return with the BVI Inland Revenue Department accompanied by financial statements
- Companies in liquidation, where the return would fall due after the liquidation commenced
Exemptions are not automatic and depend on the entity’s circumstances. Confirm the position with the registered agent before relying on one.
If the date is missed
The registered agent must notify the Registrar within 30 days of the deadline. The company then ceases to be in good standing, which blocks a certificate of good standing and can disrupt banking and pending transactions. Penalties escalate monthly and the company can ultimately be struck off.