Reminder: BVI Annual Financial Return Deadlines for FYE December 2024 – September 2025

Entities are reminded of their obligation to file their BVI Annual Financial Return (AFR) within nine months of the financial year end. Please see the below table of key AFR dates for the most common financial year periods and the applicable due and filing deadlines commencing financial year end (FYE) 31 December 2024.

Our original guide, BVI Business Companies Annual Financial Return (AFR), provides full details on AFR requirements, exemptions and a handy FAQ. If you wish to adopt a new financial year end, please see our Changing a BVI Company’s Financial Year End section below.

Key AFR Dates and Deadlines for common financial years 2024-25

Financial Year	AFR Filing Deadline (9 months)
1 January to 31 December 2024	30 September 2025
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025	31 December 2025
1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025	31 March 2026
1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025	30 June 2026

Note: If your company has changed its FYE, the AFR due date becomes the first day following the newly adopted period and the nine-month filing window applies from that date.

Changing a BVI Company’s Financial Year End

A BVI business company may change its financial year end by board (or member) resolution and notifying its registered agent.

No separate filing with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs or the FSC is required; the registered agent keeps the internal record of the company’s accounting reference period.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Pass a directors’ (or unanimous shareholders’) resolution approving the new year-end date.
2. Deliver copy of the resolution to your registered agent and notify them of the new year-end date.
3. The registered agent updates the company’s internal register of accounting periods.
4. Your next Annual Financial Return then becomes due nine months after the new year-end.

Key Considerations

1. There is no statutory limit on how often you can change the year end, but frequent changes can complicate audit trails and raise queries from auditors or regulators.
2. Align the new year end with your group reporting cycle, audit deadlines and any economic-substance reporting obligations.
3. Changes do not reset existing return deadlines – if you still have an AFR outstanding under the old year end, it remains due nine months after that old date.

AFR Compliance and Next Steps Summary

Late filings may incur penalties starting at USD300 per month, whilst persistent failure to comply may result in administrative strike-off and expensive reinstatement procedures.

Companies are advised to maintain thorough accounting records to support their AFR submissions and any exemption claims. For assistance with AFR preparation, FYE realignment or exemption status, please contact your Marbury relationship manager or email us at info@marburys.com.