Your first annual return does not need financial statements. You normally file your first company accounts with your second annual return to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setting up a business in Ireland comes with several accounting and tax obligations. Your first annual return date<\/strong> (ARD), financial year end<\/strong> and Corporation Tax<\/strong> return (CT1) deadlines <\/a>are different, so it is important to track them separately. You must track all three dates to avoid filing delays and penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your company is required to file the Corporation Tax Return <\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(CT1) <\/strong>and pay the outstanding Corporation Tax within 9 months of the end of the company’s accounting period. For the payment and lodging of electronically filed and submitted returns\/report forms via Revenue Online Service (ROS), the filing deadline is normally the 23rd day of the 9th month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your first Corporation Tax accounting period starts when your company starts carrying on business and comes into the charge of corporation tax.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example: If you have an accounting period that ends on 31 December 2026, then the CT1 filing and payment deadline will normally be 23 September 2027.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A CT1 can cover a maximum accounting period of 12 months. Depending on your corporation tax accounting periods, you could have to complete two CT1 returns if your first financial year is 18 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Companies Registration Office (CRO) sets your first Annual Return Date (ARD) as 6 months after incorporation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your first Annual Return Date (ARD)<\/strong> is six months from the date of incorporation. Your second ARD is normally 12 months after your first ARD. You must file the annual return within 56 days after the date of its ARD each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Form B1 is the first annual return and does not need financial statements. You will normally file the first financial statements with the second annual return, following the CRO filing requirements and the end of your financial year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that the annual return date is different to the Corporation Tax return (CT1) date. It’s important to monitor both to prevent late filing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can check the CRO\u2019s filing <\/a>guidelines so that you can confirm the deadline for your company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your first financial year starts on the date of incorporation and can last up to 18 months<\/strong> under Section 288 of the Companies Act 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if your company is incorporated on 1 April 2026, you could choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your choice can affect when you prepare your first financial statements. It will not remove your annual return obligations or allow one CT1 to cover more than 12 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, companies can extend their Annual Return Date (ARD) by up to six months by filing Form B73 with an on-time annual return. This form is usually filed only once every five years and must be submitted within 56 days of the existing ARD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You cannot file Form B73 with your company’s first annual return. This would reduce the time left to file the first annual return with financial statements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before selecting a date, refer to the CRO’s financial year-end guidance.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping good records will help you to complete your first accounts and corporation tax return more easily. Keep the following documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can read more about keeping business records<\/a> on Revenue’s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select a financial year-end that suits your business and simplifies accounting. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re not sure, talk to an accountant about which date to pick. With a little planning, the first year-end might be easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some qualifying new companies in Ireland may be exempt from paying Preliminary Corporation Tax<\/a> for their first accounting period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An important condition is that the Corporation Tax liability is less than \u20ac200,000. There are other legal rules that also apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eligible companies can pay their final corporation tax according to the CT1 filing deadline<\/a>, which is just 9 months after the accounting period ends, and for electronic filing it is the 23rd day of the month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can check Revenue\u2019s preliminary Corporation Tax guidelines<\/a> to confirm whether your company qualifies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suppose that your company was incorporated on 1st April 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first annual return date will be 1st October 2026. The first Form B1 will not include financial statements. Now think of three possible financial year-ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.<\/strong> Missing the first annual return: <\/strong>The first annual return falls <\/strong>6 months after incorporation and must be filed within 56 days even if the company has not traded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Confusing Accounts with CT1:<\/strong> You may have different statutory financial years and accounting periods for Corporation Tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. <\/strong>Assuming one CT1 covers 18 months: <\/strong>You can only have one CT1 for a maximum of 12 months, so the extended financial year may require 2 CT1 returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Selecting the Wrong Year End:<\/strong> Review the CRO filing rules before making the first selection of the year-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Failure to Maintain Complete Records:<\/strong> Items like missing invoices or unreconciled transactions may cause delays with accounts preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Failing to meet tax deadlines: <\/strong>Late filing and payment may result in extra fees. Have a calendar of all CRO and revenue dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparing your first company accounts can be challenging while you manage a new business. Keeping accurate and timely records can help you make year-end accounting and tax preparation easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aone Outsourcing supports new company directors with outsourced bookkeeping and year-end accounts preparation services<\/a>. Our support may involve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outsourcing can help accounting practices manage their workload and allow businesses to keep their records organised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The company’s directors remain responsible for meeting their legal duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is the Deadline for Your First Corporation Tax Return (CT1)? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When Are Your First Company Accounts Due in Ireland? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can Your First Financial Year Last 18 Months? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Can You Extend Your Annual Return Date Using Form B73?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Should You Prepare for Your First Company Accounts? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Do You Choose Your First Year-End?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Do New Companies Pay Preliminary Tax in Year One?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Worked Example: Three First Year-End Options<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First Year-End <\/strong><\/td> What It Means <\/strong><\/td><\/tr> 31st December 2026<\/td> 9 Months <\/td><\/tr> 31 March 2027<\/td> 12 Months<\/td><\/tr> 30 September 2027<\/td> 18 Months <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Important:<\/strong> If the company selects 30 September 2027 as the financial year-end, it has limited time to prepare the financial statements, given the company’s normal second ARD date of 1 October 2027. The company should consider whether an ARD adjustment is acceptable and allowed under the CRO rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSix Common First-Year Mistakes You Should Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Aone Supports First-Year Accounts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wrapping Up <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n