Legal Requirements for a Limited Company in Ireland

Company Bureau can guide you through the requirements for setting up and maintaining a Limited Company in Ireland. The legal/company secretarial requirements are similar regardless of whether you are resident in Ireland or not. To see the requirements for registering a company please see Company Formation Requirements. After your company is registered, the main on-going compliance requirements are as follows:

All companies must submit and file an annual return every year, together with abridged accounts to the Registrar of Companies. Failure to do so will result in substantial penalty fees and possible strike-off proceedings, as well as loss of the audit exemption for 2 years if applicable. The first Annual Return is due 6 months after incorporation (no accounts required) The only exception to this are Unlimited Companies in certain circumstances.

Companies should hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 18 months of incorporation and thereafter on an annual basis (must be an AGM in each calendar year) The AGM and board meetings should happen in Ireland, as the management and control of the company should be in Ireland. Some companies can dispense with the requirement of having an AGM if a resolution is signed to this effect.

Every company whose turnover or group turnover exceeds Euro 8.8 million must prepare and file audited accounts. Most registered charities (Companies Limited by Guarantee) must also file audited accounts.

A Corporation Tax Return must be made every year

 If the company is VAT Registered, VAT Returns must be made every two months

 If the company does not have an EEA-Resident Director, The ‘Section 137 Non-Resident Directors Bond’ must be put in place

The seven statutory registers must be kept up to date as well as the register of beneficial owners.

Company Bureau’s Annual Company Secretarial and Compliance Service will take care of most of the company legal requirements, leaving you to concentrate on growing and running your business. For more information on Irish company Annual Returns or company audits, please complete our contact form or call to speak with a member of our Company Secretarial department on +353 (0)1 646 1625.

Please note there are also a number of tax requirements and tax legislation that should be adhered to also. We can recommend an associate tax advisor if you require assistance with the same.

Disclaimer This article is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Company Bureau for any action taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out in this article. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of this article. Any and all information is subject to change.