BC Annual Report (Registry)
Every BC corporation must file an annual report with BC Registry Services within two months of the anniversary of incorporation; the current fee is approximately $42 and failure to file can lead to dissolution.
Definition
A BC annual report (also called a "transition filing" or "annual filing" in older materials) is a corporate governance filing required under section 51 of the Business Corporations Act (BC). It is filed annually with BC Registry Services and confirms the corporation's registered office, records office, and director information. The annual report is not a tax return; it is a registry filing and is entirely separate from the federal T2 corporate income tax return.
Key rules
- Filing window: the annual report must be filed within two months after the anniversary of the corporation's date of incorporation (or continuation into BC).
- Current filing fee is $46.29 at the BC Registries online portal (the oft-quoted $42 base fee plus the electronic service fee). Confirm the current fee at the time of filing.
- Information confirmed or updated in the filing:
- Registered office address (must be a street address in BC).
- Records office address (can be the same as registered office).
- Directors (full legal name and residential or prescribed delivery address).
- Director changes made separately through a Notice of Change must also be reflected in the annual report.
- The annual report is filed electronically through the BC Registries online portal (bcregistry.gov.bc.ca). Paper filing is available but slower and more expensive.
If a BC corporation fails to file an annual report for two consecutive years, the Registrar may dissolve the corporation under the Business Corporations Act. Restoration after dissolution requires a separate filing, a higher fee, and potentially the consent of third parties who have acquired rights since dissolution.
Example
A BC corporation was incorporated on March 14, 2025. Its first annual report is due within two months of March 14, 2026, meaning on or before May 14, 2026. The director logs in to bcregistry.gov.bc.ca, reviews the pre-populated corporation details, confirms the registered office, and updates the director's residential address. The portal charges $46.29 and issues a filing certificate.
In 2027 the same corporation must file again within two months of March 14, 2027. The filing is independent of the corporation's December 31 fiscal year-end and of the T2 return deadline.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the annual report (registry filing) with the T2 corporate tax return (CRA). These are different filings to different agencies with different deadlines.
- Missing the two-month anniversary window. The deadline is based on the incorporation date, not a fixed calendar date.
- Allowing dissolution for non-filing. A dissolved corporation cannot contract, and its property may escheat to the Crown until restored.
- Using an outdated registered office address. Official notices served at an invalid address can still be legally effective, exposing the corporation to default judgments.
- Forgetting that a BC extra-provincial registration (for a corporation incorporated federally or in another province) requires its own annual filing as an extra-provincial company.
Related concepts
Authority
- Business Corporations Act (BC), SBC 2002, c. 57, s. 51
- Business Corporations Regulation, BC Reg 65/2004
- BC Registry Services (Corporate Registry)
See also
Related entries
BC Business Number
A BC corporation typically holds four distinct identifiers: the federal Business Number (BN), a BC Incorporation Number, a BC PST number if registered, and a WorkSafeBC account number.
Federal vs. Provincial Incorporation
Founders can incorporate federally under the CBCA or provincially under a statute such as the BC Business Corporations Act. Each route offers different name protection, residency rules, and filing duties.
BC Corporate Tax Rates
BC imposes a 2.0% small business rate on the first $500,000 of active business income for CCPCs and a 12% general corporate rate; combined with federal rates, the effective BC rates for 2026 are 11% (small business) and 27% (general).
This entry is for general reference. It does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified Canadian accountant for your specific situation.