What Our MBR Filing Service Includes
The Malta Business Registry (MBR) is the government authority responsible for the registration and regulation of commercial entities in Malta. Every company registered with the MBR has ongoing filing obligations that must be met to maintain good standing and avoid penalties. At Said Accounting, Steve Said manages the full spectrum of MBR filing requirements, ensuring your company remains compliant with all statutory deadlines and regulatory expectations.
Our MBR filing service covers annual return filings, which every Maltese company must submit each year. The annual return contains key information about the company, including details of its directors and company secretary, registered office address, share capital structure, shareholders and their respective holdings, and details of any charges or mortgages over the company's assets. Steve ensures that all information in the annual return is accurate and up to date, reflecting any changes that have occurred during the year.
We also handle the filing of annual accounts with the MBR. Under the Companies Act, companies must file their audited or exempted financial statements within the prescribed timeframe after the annual general meeting. Steve coordinates the preparation, approval and filing of these accounts, working with your auditors where applicable to ensure a seamless process. Late filing of accounts attracts penalties and can damage the company's reputation with banks, customers and other stakeholders who check the MBR records.
Beyond routine annual filings, we manage all ad hoc filings required when changes occur in the company's structure or governance. These include notifications of changes in directors or company secretary, changes to the registered office address, alterations to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, increases or reductions in share capital, share transfers and allotments, and appointments or changes of auditors. Each of these events triggers a filing obligation with the MBR, and failure to file the relevant notification within the prescribed timeframe can result in penalties.
We maintain your company's statutory registers on an ongoing basis, ensuring they are always current and available for inspection as required by law. These registers include the register of members, showing all current and past shareholders and their holdings, the register of directors and secretary, the register of charges, and the register of debentures. Properly maintained statutory registers are essential for corporate governance and are frequently requested by auditors, banks and legal advisors.
Who This Service Is For
Our MBR filing service is essential for any company registered with the Malta Business Registry. This includes active trading companies, dormant companies that are still on the register, holding companies with subsidiaries in Malta or abroad, special purpose vehicles established for specific transactions, and branches of foreign companies registered in Malta.
Even dormant companies have filing obligations with the MBR. If your company is not currently trading, you must still file annual returns and, in most cases, annual accounts. Failure to do so can lead to penalties, and prolonged non-compliance may result in the Registrar initiating striking-off proceedings. Steve can advise on the options available for dormant companies, including voluntary dissolution if the company is no longer needed, or maintaining minimal compliance if you wish to keep the company on the register for future use.
Companies that have recently undergone changes in ownership, management or structure particularly benefit from our service. Share transfers, director appointments, capital changes and amendments to the Memorandum and Articles all require specific filings with the MBR, often within tight timeframes. Steve ensures these filings are completed correctly and on time, preventing any gaps in your company's statutory record.
Foreign-owned companies operating in Malta also benefit from our deep understanding of MBR requirements. Non-resident directors and shareholders may be less familiar with Maltese corporate compliance obligations, and Steve provides clear guidance and proactive management of all filing requirements, giving international clients peace of mind that their Maltese company is fully compliant.
Why Choose Said Accounting for MBR Filing
MBR filings require precision and attention to detail. Errors in filed documents can create legal complications, trigger Registrar queries and cause difficulties in future corporate transactions such as share sales, bank financing or due diligence exercises. Steve Said's ACCA qualification and CPA warrant ensure that every filing is prepared with professional rigour. He understands the legal requirements under the Companies Act and the practical expectations of the Malta Business Registry, ensuring your filings are accepted without issue.
Proactive deadline management is a core element of our service. We maintain a calendar of all your MBR filing deadlines and begin preparation well in advance. You receive timely reminders when information or signatures are needed, and Steve handles the actual filing so you do not need to navigate the MBR's online systems yourself. This systematic approach eliminates the risk of missed deadlines and the penalties that follow.
We also provide valuable continuity. When Steve handles your MBR filings year after year, he maintains a complete understanding of your company's corporate history. This institutional knowledge is invaluable when complex corporate transactions arise, such as restructurings, share capital changes or amendments to the constitutional documents. He can advise on the filing implications of proposed changes and prepare all necessary documentation efficiently because he already has a thorough understanding of your company's existing structure and filed records.
Transparency in pricing is important to us. Our MBR filing fees are agreed upfront, and government filing fees are quoted separately so you know exactly what you are paying for. There are no hidden charges, and Steve always explains the purpose and requirement for each filing before incurring any costs on your behalf.
How the Process Works
Step 1 - Compliance Review: Steve conducts a thorough review of your company's current filing status with the MBR. This identifies any outstanding filings, incorrect information on the register or approaching deadlines that need immediate attention.
Step 2 - Deadline Calendar: We establish a comprehensive calendar of all your MBR filing obligations, including annual returns, annual accounts filing and any pending ad hoc notifications. This calendar is actively monitored throughout the year to ensure nothing is missed.
Step 3 - Document Preparation: When a filing is due, Steve prepares all required documents and forms. For annual returns, this involves verifying all company details against the statutory registers. For corporate changes, this involves drafting the appropriate resolutions, notifications and supporting documentation.
Step 4 - Client Review and Approval: Before any filing is submitted, Steve shares the documents with you for review and obtains your approval. He explains the content and purpose of each filing, answers any questions and makes any necessary amendments.
Step 5 - Filing and Confirmation: Steve submits the filing to the MBR through the online portal, pays the applicable government fees and obtains confirmation of acceptance. You receive a copy of all filed documents for your records, along with confirmation of the filing date and any reference numbers.
Step 6 - Register Updates: Following each filing, we update your company's statutory registers to reflect the filed information. This ensures your internal records always match the public register, maintaining consistency and accuracy across all corporate documentation.
Common MBR Filings We Handle
The range of filings required by the Malta Business Registry is extensive, and the specific forms and procedures vary depending on the nature of the filing. Some of the most common filings we handle include the annual return, which must be filed within 42 days of the company's annual general meeting, the filing of annual accounts within the prescribed deadline, notifications of director appointments and resignations, changes to the company secretary, share transfers between existing or new shareholders, allotment of new shares following a capital increase, changes to the registered office address, amendments to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and filing of special and extraordinary resolutions passed by the shareholders.
Each filing type has its own procedural requirements, prescribed forms and government fees. Steve's familiarity with these requirements, built through years of practice, means that filings are prepared correctly the first time, avoiding rejections, queries and the additional costs associated with resubmissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual return and when is it due?
The annual return is a document filed with the Malta Business Registry that provides updated information about your company, including details of directors, secretary, shareholders, share capital and registered office. It must be filed within 42 days of the annual general meeting. Failure to file on time attracts penalties from the MBR.
What happens if my company has outstanding MBR filings?
Outstanding filings can result in financial penalties and may lead to the Registrar initiating striking-off proceedings against the company. If your company has overdue filings, Steve can assess the situation, prepare and submit the outstanding documents and liaise with the MBR to resolve any issues. It is always better to address outstanding filings promptly rather than allowing them to accumulate.
How do I file a share transfer with the MBR?
A share transfer requires the preparation of a share transfer form signed by both the transferor and transferee, payment of any applicable stamp duty, updating the register of members and filing the prescribed notification with the MBR. Steve handles the entire process, including drafting the transfer documentation, calculating any duty payable and submitting the filing.
Do dormant companies need to file with the MBR?
Yes, dormant companies must still file annual returns and, in most cases, annual accounts with the Malta Business Registry. Dormant company accounts are typically straightforward, showing little or no activity, but the filing obligation remains. Steve can advise on the most cost-effective way to maintain compliance for dormant companies or assist with voluntary dissolution if the company is no longer needed.
How much do MBR filing services cost?
Our fees for MBR filing services depend on the type and volume of filings required. Routine annual return filings are priced competitively, and ad hoc filings such as share transfers or director changes are quoted on a per-filing basis. Government filing fees are passed through at cost. Contact Steve for a free quote based on your company's specific requirements.