Every company in Zambia must lodge an annual return with the Registrar after the end of each financial year [Companies Act, S.184]. The deadline depends on when your annual general meeting is held: if held within three months of year-end, you have one month after that meeting to file; otherwise, you have three months from the end of the financial year [Companies Act, S.184]. The annual return must be signed by a director and the company secretary [Companies Act, S.184].
The annual return covers different matters depending on whether your company is public or private. Public companies must address matters specified in the Third Schedule of the Act in the prescribed form [Companies Act, S.185]. Private companies have similar requirements under their own section [Companies Act, S.187]. Once prepared, you file your annual return on the PACRA portal at portal.pacra.org.zm.
This is a legal requirement for all registered companies. Missing the deadline may result in penalties, so plan ahead and ensure your annual return is completed and submitted on time each year.