Annual Return Requirements for Alberta Corporations
Essential guide to filing annual returns for Alberta corporations to maintain good standing and comply with provincial regulations.
Good Standing AI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information in this Knowledge Base is for general informational purposes only and may not be accurate or up-to-date. You should verify any procedures with official sources and consult qualified legal professionals for guidance.
📋 What is an Annual Return?
An annual return is the yearly filing that Alberta corporations (and some other entities) must submit to the Corporate Registry to keep their company information current and maintain good standing. It updates key details (registered office, directors, and shareholders) for the required reporting period.
Legal Requirements & Deadlines
⚖️ Legal Basis
- • Alberta Business Corporations Act (RSA 2000, c B-9) s. 268: Requires every Alberta corporation to file an annual return each year
- • Cooperatives: Follow the separate annual return procedure published by Corporate Registry; filing channels differ from ordinary corporations.
- • Business Corporations Regulation (Alta Reg 118/2000): Sets filing deadlines and form requirements
📅 Filing Deadline
Due by the last day of the month following the corporation's anniversary of incorporation
⚠️ Important Note
Failure to file on time will put the corporation in non-compliance and can eventually lead to it being struck off or dissolved by Service Alberta.
Step-by-Step Filing Process
Gather Company Data
Collect current details as of the end of the anniversary month:
- • Directors' names and addresses
- • Officers' information
- • Registered office address
- • Up to five largest shareholders
- • Shareholder addresses
- • Voting share percentages
Complete the Form
Required Form: REG3062
Use the Alberta Corporate Registry Annual Return (Form REG3062)available from Service Alberta or registry agents.
Submit to Registry
Authorized Corporate Registry Service Provider
Submit to a Service Alberta registry agent with required fee and one piece of government-issued ID.
Cooperatives Follow a Separate Process
Ordinary Alberta corporate annual returns must go through an authorized service provider. Direct submission to Corporate Registry applies to cooperatives under theseparate cooperative instructions.
Pay Fees
Government Filing Fee
Check the current government filing fee
Confirm the total with your service provider
Service Agent Fee
Additional charges vary by agent
Request receipt and filing confirmation
Maintain Proof of Filing
Record Keeping Requirements
- • Keep copy of filed Annual Return in corporate records
- • Retain receipt or filing confirmation
- • Note: Annual return is separate from income tax returns
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must file an annual return?
Every active Alberta-incorporated company must file one each year. This includes domestic corporations and extra-provincial corporations registered in Alberta (except those home-registered in BC, MB or SK).
What information is required?
The return must list up-to-date company information as of the anniversary date:
- • Names and addresses of directors and officers
- • Registered office address
- • For share-capital corporations: up to five largest shareholders with share percentages
- • Any changes since the last filing must be included
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Consequences of Late Filing:
- • Corporation status shows "overdue"
- • Continued non-filing can lead to strike-off
- • Company name may be struck from register (dissolution)
- • Once dissolved, corporation loses legal standing until revived
Are there fees to file?
Yes. Authorized service providers charge a government filing fee and a service fee. Confirm the current amounts with your provider before filing.
Note: There is no fee for filings by Alberta co-ops under the Co-op Act.
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📚 Sources & References
- • Service Alberta – Annual returns for corporations, cooperatives, and organizations (Alberta Government)
- • Service Alberta – Annual Return (Form REG3062) instructions
- • Alberta Business Corporations Act, RSA 2000, c B-9, s 268 (annual returns)
- • Alberta Corporate Registry – separate cooperative annual return instructions
- • Business Corporations Regulation, Alta Reg 118/2000
- • Current Alberta annual return instructions and fee references