Filling tax returns for a registered company with CAC

If your husband registered a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2023, then he is required to file Annual Returns every year — even if the business made little or no profit.

This Annual Return is different from tax filing.

There are two separate filings:

CAC Annual Return (Company status update)

Tax Return (FIRS / State) (Company tax filing)

I’ll guide you step-by-step.

PART 1 — Filing CAC Annual Return (Very Important)

Who Must File?

Your husband must file CAC Annual Return because:

He registered a business in 2023

Annual return is due every year

When to File

First Annual Return: 18 months after registration

After that: Every year

Since he registered in 2023, he is likely due now.

How To File CAC Annual Return (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Go to CAC Portal

Visit: https://post.cac.gov.ng

Step 2: Login

Use email used during CAC registration

Or create account if not available

Step 3: Search Company Name

Click “Public Search”

Enter company/business name

Step 4: Select “File Annual Return”

Choose Annual Return Filing

Fill in required details

Step 5: Fill Basic Information

You will provide:

Business address

Nature of business (wrought iron fabrication)

Owner/director details

Business status

Step 6: Pay Filing Fee

Approximate CAC fees:

Business Name → ₦3,000 – ₦5,000

Limited Company → ₦5,000 – ₦10,000

(Depends on company type)

Step 7: Submit and Download Receipt

Done.

PART 2 — Company Tax Return (Also Required)

After CAC Annual Return, he should also file Company Tax Return with:

Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

This is required even if business made no profit.

How To File Tax Return

Go to: https://taxpro.firs.gov.ng

Register company with:

CAC Certificate

Company email

Phone number

File:

Company Income Tax (CIT)

VAT (if applicable)

Withholding Tax (if applicable)

Important (Very Important)

If your husband does not file CAC annual return:

Company may be marked inactive

Late penalty applies

Company may be struck off register

See less

Since you registered your Iron Fabrication Firm with CAC in 2023, there are two different annual returns you must file:

CAC Annual Return (for your business registration)

Tax Return (for tax compliance)

I’ll guide you step-by-step for both.

1. CAC Annual Return (First Thing to Do)

You must file annual return with the

Corporate Affairs Commission every year to show your business is still active.

Even if:

You made no profit

Business is small

You just started

You must still file.

Step-by-Step: How To File CAC Annual Return (Using Smartphone)

Step 1 — Go to CAC Portal

Open your phone browser and go to:

https://post.cac.gov.ng⁠�

Step 2 — Login

Enter Email

Enter Password

If you don’t have account:

Click Register

Create account

Step 3 — Search Your Business

Enter:

Business Name

OR

CAC Registration Number (BN or RC)

Step 4 — Click “File Annual Return”

Select:

Business Name (most small iron fabrication firms fall here) OR

Limited Company (if yours ends with “Ltd”)

Step 5 — Fill Business Details

Enter:

Business address

Nature of business (Iron fabrication / metal works)

Phone number

Owner details

Step 6 — Pay Filing Fee

Typical Fees:

Business Name → About ₦3,000

Limited Company → ₦5,000 – ₦10,000

Step 7 — Submit

Download:

Filing receipt

Acknowledgment slip

You’re done.

When You Should File

Since you registered in 2023:

2024 → First annual return

2025 → Second annual return

2026 → Current return

If you haven’t filed before, there may be late penalty.

2. Tax Return (Also Required)

Apart from CAC, you must also file Tax Return.

This is done with:

State Internal Revenue Service (for small businesses)

OR

Federal Inland Revenue Service (for limited companies)

If Your Iron Fabrication Firm Is Small

You will likely file:

Personal Income Tax (PIT)

If you made:

No profit → File Nil Return

Small income → File estimated income

Documents You May Need

Prepare:

CAC Certificate

Phone number

Business address

Estimated income (if any)

Why This Is Important

If you don’t file:

Penalties accumulate

Business may be marked inactive

Difficulties opening business bank account

Problems getting contracts

See less