First time filing an annual return?

If you have visited the Companies Office website lately you will have noticed it has changed.

There are a couple of things we would like to make you aware of before your annual return is due to be filed.
 

1. You need to have an igovt logon.
2. You will need to set up a new Companies Office account or re-activate your previous account.
3. Search for and select the company you want to file an annual return for.
4. You need Company Authority for the companies you are filing annual returns for.
5. File your annual return.

The steps above can all be completed at any time including before your annual returns are due, once you have your igovt account set up and your Companies Office account activated you will not need to complete these steps again.

Begin filing your annual return here and follow the instructions below:
 

The Companies Office now uses the igovt logon service.  From 28 June 2010 every user of the transactional services on the Companies Office website must have an igovt logon.  igovt allows you to use the same logon (username, password) across various government online services that are part of the igovt programme.  This saves you from having to remember multiple logon details for different services.

Learn more about the igovt logon service.

If you already have an igovt logon you won't need to create a new one, simply Log on and enter your existing igovt user name and password.  You will still need to complete step two and create your new Companies Office Account (Logon).

If you need an igovt logon you can Register to create one from our website.

To obtain an igovt logon choose the Register link in the top right hand corner of the Companies Office website.  This will take you to the igovt website where you can select the option to create an igovt logon.

As a new user you will be required to

• choose an igovt username (between four and 64 characters),
• enter your email address, and
• enter your password. This must be at least seven characters and contain at least three of four different types of characters:
  
  • numbers
  • Lower case letters
  • capital letters
  • special characters

For example Joe4965, welc0mE, 56$alpha

Once you have completed this section you will be asked to enter the characters you see in the image - this helps to avoid any spam.

Security questions

The last step in this process is to answer some security questions.   These will be used if you need to contact the igovt logon service to reset your password.  These are standard questions like: ‘What was the name of your first pet?’ or ‘What was your Fathers place of birth?’.

When you have completed the security questions you will see a confirmation screen and then the website will take you directly back to the Companies Office website where you need to create your Companies Office account (Step two).

You will need to set up a new Companies Office account or re-activate your previous account.  After creating your new igovt logon, you will be automatically returned to the Companies Office website.  You will then need to complete a few more details to finish setting up your new Companies Office account.

Select the option that best describes your situation:

1. I am using this website as an individual
2. I want to set up an organisation account
3. I have received an activation code

Option one | I am using this website as an individual

Select this option if you are a new or infrequent user of the website and want to create an account to manage your own companies.  For example, those companies where you act as a director.  You will be required to enter your personal details and can choose to apply for a direct debit account (optional).

Note | You will always have the option to pay by credit card.

Option two | I want to set up an organisation account

Select this option if you maintain companies on behalf of your employer.  You are able to either create a new organisation account or re-activate your account using your existing User ID and Password.

• Creating a new account for my organisation

To create a new account for your organisation you will be required to enter the organisation's details such as name, email, contact number and payment details (you are able choose to pay by direct debit).  Once the organisation details have been entered you are able to add multiple other users to the account.  Select the Users Tab to add other users (this found by selecting Organisation settings from the Online Services - Do It Now menu).

Each user associated with your organisation will use the organisation's general information and payment options.  This means the organisation will be shown as the document presenter (including the organisation name and the postal address) rather than the individual user's personal contact details.

Note | Individual users can still use their accounts to file documents for their own companies.  When using an online service they will be prompted to confirm which role they are acting in - either for their employer or themselves.
 

• Use my existing user ID details

Select this option if you have an existing User ID and Password that you have used to logon to the Companies Office website in the past (this is an account specific User ID and Password. For example, 101101105).

When prompted provide your existing ID and we will transfer the details from your old User ID to your new Companies Office Logon.  The details that are transferred include your name, email address, postal address, and direct debit details (if provided).  You may also be required to enter in some further information we have not collected in the past.

Recommended | If you are an organisation administrator you can check your general organisation's details after registration by selecting Organisation Settings from the Online Services - Do it now menu.

Option three | I have received an activation code from Companies Office

If you have received an activation code via email from the Companies Office - it is because someone has already set up a Companies Office account for you that is linked to an organisation, for example, your employer.  You will be prompted to enter that activation code.

When you use this option you will notice that your name and organisational email will already have been entered.  All you will need to complete is your own personal details and then your registration is complete.

You can still use your Companies Office account to file documents for your own companies.  When using an online service you will be prompted to confirm which role you are acting in - either for your employer or for yourself.

You have now successfully set up your new account to use the Companies Office website.  The last step is to obtain Company Authority for the Companies you need to file annual returns for.

After completing the set up of your igovt and Companies Office accounts you will be directed automatically to the search screen.  Type in the name or number of the company you want to file an annual return for and select the search button.  From the results that appear click on your company name to proceed.

You need to have company authority for the Companies you are filing an annual return for.  Company Authority is the name given to the authority management system for users of this website that need to maintain company information on the Register of Companies.

The Company Authority system replaces company keys but you may still need your company key for the transition to establish Company Authority.

After selecting the company you want to file an annual return for you will be taken automatically to the company authority screen.  If you already have company authority for the company you will be taken directly into the file annual return screen.

The first and easiest way to confirm to the Companies Office that you should have Company Authority is to provide the company key.  If you have lost the Company Key there is a ‘lost Company Key’ function available.

You are all set up and ready to file your Annual Return.

A bit confused?
We have videos available on the Companies Office website to help you with any of the three steps above:

• Creating an igovt logon
• Setting up your Companies Office Account
• Company Authority

We are also offering online webinar training sessions | Find out when the next training session will take place.