What are the penalties for late lodgement of documents with SSM?
Most lodgement breaches are offences for the company and every officer, with fines up to RM50,000 on conviction and in many cases additional daily fines of RM500 or RM1,000. Beneficial ownership breaches carry up to RM20,000 plus RM500 a day. Persistent default, such as no annual return for three years, can lead to strike-off.
Examples from the Companies Act 2016
| Breach | Fine on conviction | Continuing offence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return late (s.68) | up to RM50,000 | up to RM1,000 a day |
| Financial statements not lodged in time (s.259) | up to RM50,000 | up to RM1,000 a day |
| Notice of change of directors or secretary late (s.58) | up to RM50,000 | up to RM500 a day |
| Constitution not lodged within 30 days (s.32) | up to RM50,000 | up to RM500 a day |
| Registered office change not notified in 14 days (s.46) | up to RM50,000 | not stated |
| Beneficial owner register or lodgement (s.60B(6)) | up to RM20,000 | up to RM500 a day |
Who is liable. The company and every officer (directors, secretary, managers).
Beyond fines
- SSM's published Table of Fees lists the normal lodgement fees but no separate late-lodgement fee.
- Strike-off for three or more years without an annual return (s.68(8)).
- Difficulty with banks, tenders and licence renewals when SSM records are out of date.
Fines apply on conviction. Where an offence states no penalty, the general penalty in s.588 applies (up to RM50,000, and up to three years in prison for an individual). If you have missed filings, bring them up to date and ask your secretary what SSM requires.
Legal basis
- Companies Act 2016, s.46
- Companies Act 2016, s.58
- Companies Act 2016, s.60B(6)
- Companies Act 2016, s.68
- Companies Act 2016, s.259
- Companies Act 2016, s.588
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- What is the penalty for lodging an annual return late in Malaysia?Late or missing annual returns are an offence for the company and every officer: a fine of up to RM50,000 on conviction, plus up to RM1,000 for each further day the offence continues. Failing to lodge for three or more consecutive years can also lead SSM to strike the company off.
- When must a company appoint its company secretary after incorporation?The first company secretary must be appointed within 30 days of the date of incorporation. After that, the office must not be left vacant for more than 30 days at any one time. The secretary must be qualified, consent in writing and be registered with SSM.
- What is the deadline to lodge beneficial ownership information with SSM?Changes to the beneficial owner register must be lodged with SSM through e-BOS within 14 days of being recorded (s.60B(3) and (4)). SSM gave companies until 30 September 2024 to lodge their first information without the 14-day limit or late charges. That window has closed, and lodging carries no SSM fee.
- What are the penalties for not complying with beneficial ownership rules in Malaysia?Breaching the beneficial owner register rules is an offence for the company and every officer under s.60B(6): a fine of up to RM20,000, plus up to RM500 for each further day the offence continues after conviction. Breaches of the disclosure duties in ss.60C and 60D fall under the Act's general penalty: a fine of up to RM50,000, and for individuals up to three years in prison.
- When is the annual return due for a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?A company must lodge its annual return with SSM within 30 days from the anniversary of its incorporation date, every calendar year. It does not apply in the calendar year the company is incorporated. The return is signed by a director or secretary.