Annual Return Date (ARD)
/ˈænjuəl rɪˈtɜːn deɪt/
An Annual Return Date (ARD) is the specific calendar date each year when a company must file its annual return with the company registry.
An Annual Return Date (ARD) is the specific calendar date each year when a company must file its annual return with the company registry.
Your Annual Return Date is assigned when you incorporate your company.
It typically falls on the anniversary of your incorporation date or the last day of the month in which you incorporated.
Missing your Annual Return Date can result in penalties, fines, or even company dissolution.
It's a really important compliance deadline that keeps your company in good standing with the registry.
In Ireland, it will immediately result in the loss of your audit exemption - which means that you will have to pay an auditor each year to rubber stamp your accounts - it's expensive as it sounds!
Your Annual Return Date is automatically determined by the company registry when you incorporate.
You cannot choose this date yourself - it's based on your incorporation timing - but you can change it.
Late filing typically results in immediate penalties and ongoing daily fines.
Persistent non-compliance can lead to your company being struck off the register.
Most registries allow you to apply for a change to your Annual Return Date, though this usually requires specific circumstances and may involve fees.
The process varies by jurisdiction. In Ireland and the UK it's a pretty straightforward process.
Set calendar reminders well in advance of your Annual Return Date.
Many companies mark it 30-60 days early to ensure adequate preparation time for filing.
Open Forest customers get reminded automatically.
Your Annual Return Date is set by the registry for compliance filing, while your financial year-end is chosen by your company for accounting purposes.
These dates often differ and serve different functions.
