News & Updates
Curated updates across regulation, legislation, governance, tax, and reporting. Filter by country and topic to focus on what matters to you.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingGovernanceLegislationSG6 Oct 2026
Singapore's second phase of company law changes starts 20 October 2026: annual return checks, faster strike-off
ACRA announced on 6 October 2026 that the next phase of the Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 starts on 20 October 2026. Annual returns will require confirmation that officer, auditor and member particulars held by ACRA are accurate, and ask whether anyone acts as CEO. Registered offices no longer need set public opening hours, but records must be available on reasonable notice. Strike-off is faster and restoration can be refused on public-interest grounds.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingCH1 Oct 2026
Switzerland's transparency register goes live, starting the clock on beneficial owner filings
Switzerland's Transparency Act and the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act took effect on 1 October 2026, as the Federal Council decided on 12 June 2026, and the federal transparency register started operating the same day. Reporting deadlines for legal entities to file their beneficial owners now run, from one month to two years depending on the entity. The Federal Office of Justice ran a pilot of the register from June 2026.
- RegulatorRegulationGovernanceGB17 Sep 2026
First prosecutions of directors who failed to verify their identity with Companies House
The Insolvency Service secured its first convictions for identity verification offences on 16 September 2026, when three directors of two companies were fined at City of London Magistrates' Court. The Insolvency Service and Companies House warned that verification is not optional, and that directors are responsible for making sure unverified people do not act as directors of their company.
- RegulatorGovernanceRegulationUS16 Sep 2026
SEC proposes scrapping the federal shareholder proposal rule, after ending no-action letters
On 16 September 2026 the SEC proposed rescinding Rule 14a-8, which lets shareholders put proposals in a company's proxy statement, leaving the matter to state law and companies' own documents. A second proposal would end the requirement to deliver an annual report to shareholders. A month earlier, on 14 August, SEC staff stopped responding to shareholder-proposal no-action requests altogether.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingBM14 Sep 2026
Bermuda amends its beneficial ownership law, giving 30 days to file changes
Bermuda's Beneficial Ownership Amendment Act 2026 received the Governor's assent on 14 September 2026, together with the Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2026 and an Exemption Order. Several deadlines for updating and filing beneficial ownership information with the Registrar of Companies rise from 14 to 30 days, and the Registrar's enforcement powers are strengthened. Exempt entities must still keep their records and appoint a regulated contact person.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingPK3 Sep 2026
Pakistan's SECP issues notices to 28,761 companies over missing beneficial ownership declarations
Pakistan's Securities and Exchange Commission issued show-cause notices to 28,761 companies that had not filed Form 19, the annual declaration of compliance with ultimate beneficial ownership requirements. They have 30 days to file and explain why they should not be penalised. Directors and officers face penalties of up to PKR 1 million and companies up to PKR 10 million.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGB1 Sep 2026
Objections to a company strike-off must be filed online from 1 December 2026
From 1 December 2026, objections to a limited company being struck off the Companies House register must be made through the online 'Make an objection' service. Email objections will no longer be accepted. Objectors need a Companies House account, the company's name and number, and supporting documents.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationGG1 Sep 2026
Guernsey Registry issues civil penalties automatically from 1 September 2026, per late change
From 1 September 2026, the Guernsey Registry's system automatically issues civil penalties for breaches such as late changes of directors or resident agents, late or missing annual validations, late changes to memorandum and articles, and having no resident agent. Penalties for late changes of officers are now charged per person added or removed late, not per submission.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGB13 Aug 2026
Compulsory ACSP registration and presenter checks pushed back to November 2027 at the earliest
Companies House moved the start of its presenter rules back by a year, to no earlier than November 2027. From then, third-party agents filing for companies must be registered Authorised Corporate Service Providers, and other presenters must have verified their identity. It will give at least six months' notice. Until then, only agents that verify clients' identities for Companies House need to register.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyUS11 Aug 2026
FinCEN makes the US company exemption from beneficial ownership reporting permanent
On 11 August 2026 FinCEN issued a final rule permanently removing Corporate Transparency Act reporting for US companies and US persons, confirming its March 2025 interim rule. FinCEN said it would delete beneficial ownership information already filed by US persons. Only foreign entities registered to do business in the US must still report, and only for foreign beneficial owners.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationData & PrivacyIEEU7 Aug 2026
Ireland reopens beneficial ownership registers to people with a legitimate interest
New Irish regulations in 2026 (S.I. 406 of 2026 for companies and S.I. 335 of 2026 for trusts) set a certificate-based route for people with a legitimate interest in preventing money laundering to inspect beneficial ownership registers. Certificates last three years, refusals can be appealed, and from 10 November 2026 the Registrar must respond within 12 working days. This implements the access rules of the EU's sixth anti-money laundering directive.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingLegislationPL4 Aug 2026
Poland's Government approves a bill to digitise and simplify the National Court Register
On 4 August 2026 Poland's Council of Ministers adopted a deregulation bill amending the National Court Register (KRS) Act. Filings would be electronic as a rule, every registered entity would need an account in the register's system, and individuals' details would update automatically from the PESEL population register. The bill also simplifies handling of dormant entities and missing financial statements. It still needs Parliament's approval.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceAE24 Jul 2026
DIFC opens up prescribed companies and requires a corporate service provider
The Dubai International Financial Centre's amended Prescribed Company Regulations took effect on 24 July 2026, after consultation from 30 April to 2 June. The qualifying requirements are no longer conditions for incorporating or continuing a prescribed company, which widens access to the regime. A non-exempt prescribed company must appoint a DIFC corporate service provider for its registered office and specified statutory functions, with express duties on providers.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationNG15 Jul 2026
Nigeria's CAC moves to strike off 100,000 companies that haven't filed returns or PSC details
On 15 July 2026 Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) published a notice listing about 100,000 companies at risk of being struck off for failing to file annual returns and information on their persons with significant control (PSC). Under section 692 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, the companies have 90 days to file and send proof of compliance, or be struck off without further notice.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingMTEU10 Jul 2026
Malta overhauls beneficial owner filings, with a January 2027 deadline for existing companies
Malta's Companies Act (Register of Beneficial Owners) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (Legal Notice 184 of 2026) came into force on 10 July 2026. A company may treat its register of members as its beneficial owner record only if strict conditions are met; otherwise it must file a new declaration, including on the new Form BO4. Place of birth and residential address are now required, access is split into three tiers with a legitimate-interest route, and existing companies have until 10 January 2027.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingBM8 Jul 2026
Bermuda defers beneficial ownership enforcement to 31 August 2026
On 8 July 2026 Bermuda's Registrar of Companies deferred enforcement action under the beneficial ownership regime to 31 August 2026, from 1 June, to give entities more time to prepare. It issued the latest draft Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2026 and revised Guidance Notes as an interim measure, ahead of amendments to the Beneficial Ownership Act 2025 expected that summer.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingBE3 Jul 2026
Belgian obliged entities can now see the documents behind UBO register entries
A Belgian royal decree of 12 June 2026, published on 23 June and in force from 3 July 2026, lets obliged entities such as banks, accountants and auditors see the supporting documents held in the UBO register, including shareholder registers, notarial deeds and organisation charts. Previously they had to ask clients for documents already filed. Differences between the register and other information must still be reported to the Treasury.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingAU30 Jun 2026
Australia passes law to put director IDs on the ASIC companies register from July 2027
Australia's Government announced on 30 June 2026 the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026. From 1 July 2027, companies must give ASIC their directors' identification numbers through annual reviews and change notifications, linking director IDs to the companies register. ASIC gets updated registry powers, and A$527.2 million goes to stabilising and upgrading the registers.
- RegulatorESGRegulationUS24 Jun 2026
California pushes the first SB 253 emissions reports back to 10 November 2026
On 24 June 2026 the California Air Resources Board deferred the first deadline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reports under SB 253 from 10 August to 10 November 2026, while it revises its initial regulations. Companies with more than $1 billion in revenue doing business in California report their 2025 fiscal year emissions, without third-party assurance for 2026. Scope 3 reporting is expected from 2027.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationGB9 Jun 2026
UK confirms accounts reforms from April 2028: software-only filing, no abridged accounts, P&L for small companies
The Government confirmed on 9 June 2026 how the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act's accounts reforms will work, now from April 2028 instead of April 2027. All companies must file accounts in iXBRL through commercial software, abridged accounts end, and small and micro companies must file a profit and loss account but can opt out of publishing it. Audit exemption statements are strengthened and repeat shortening of accounting periods is restricted.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationNL3 Jun 2026
Dutch companies will be able to hold fully digital general meetings from 2027
The Dutch Digital General Meetings of Legal Entities under Private Law Act, dated 3 June 2026 (Stb. 2026, 161), lets NVs, BVs, cooperatives and associations hold fully digital general meetings as well as physical and hybrid ones. Companies must allow it in their articles, and members must be able to attend by video and audio, speak and vote electronically. The Government gives 1 January 2027 as the start date.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingNO2 Jun 2026
Norway starts daily fines for entities that have not registered their beneficial owners
From 2 June 2026 the Brønnøysund Register Centre began sending notices of daily coercive fines to Norwegian entities that had not registered their beneficial owners by the 31 July 2025 deadline. After a three-week notice period, fines run from NOK 672.50 a day and rise over time until the registration is approved or the entity is struck off.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationAR29 May 2026
Argentina's government proposes an overhaul of the Companies Law
On 29 May 2026 Argentina's Executive sent Congress a bill to reform the General Companies Law (Law 19,550). It would allow single-member companies of any type, make shareholders' agreements enforceable against the company once notified, and let companies act by written resolutions signed by all directors or shareholders. It would also abolish several partnership forms. The bill still needs Congress's approval.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationZA22 May 2026
South African public companies must put pay policy and pay gaps to a shareholder vote
From 22 May 2026, South African public and state-owned companies must put their remuneration policy to shareholders at least every three years, and an annual remuneration report to a vote at each AGM. The report must disclose the pay of each director and prescribed officer, the highest- and lowest-paid employees, average and median pay, and the gap between the top 5% and bottom 5%. Audited companies must disclose individual directors' pay in their financial statements.
- RegulatorRegulationData & PrivacyITEU21 May 2026
EU court rules on Italy's beneficial ownership register
On 21 May 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU answered the Italian Council of State's questions on the beneficial ownership register. Fiduciary mandates count as legal arrangements similar to trusts, and Italy's qualified-interest test for access complies with EU law. The Court criticised the lack of interim protection when an exemption for exceptional risk is refused. The register stays on hold until the Council of State rules.
- RegistryData & PrivacyRegulationGB12 May 2026
Companies House pauses destruction of dissolved company records while it reviews the 20-year limit
Companies House said on 12 May 2026 that it is reviewing how long it keeps records of dissolved companies, currently 20 years, after concerns they should be held longer. It has paused destroying and transferring records during the review. Dissolved company searches remain available, and any change will go to public consultation.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationNO11 May 2026
Norway now notifies people automatically when they are removed as director or CEO
From May 2026, Brønnøysundregistrene automatically notifies people and businesses when they stop being registered as a board member, CEO (daglig leder) or managing owner. The letter goes to the person's Altinn inbox, so anyone removed without their knowledge can react quickly. The Government said the change, required by the new register laws, will help stop attempts to hijack companies with false filings.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationRegulationSG6 May 2026
Singapore: tougher director penalties and new money-laundering disqualification from 6 May 2026
The first phase of Singapore's Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Act 2025 started on 6 May 2026. Maximum fines for directors who breach their duties rose from S$5,000 to S$20,000, with up to 12 months' imprisonment for serious cases, and people convicted of money laundering are disqualified from being directors. Selective share buy-backs need a second 75% class approval, and Form 45 has new declarations.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingLegislationIM5 May 2026
Isle of Man tightens beneficial ownership rules and consults on wider access
The Isle of Man set out beneficial ownership reforms in May 2026. From 25 May 2026 the registration threshold is 25% or more, control by other means is caught at any percentage, and where there is no registrable owner a senior managing official must be named, with nominated officers given until 15 September 2026 to adapt. It also consulted, until 30 June 2026, on legitimate-interest access, and introduced a Verification of Entity Registration Bill.
- LegislationRegulationFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyIE29 Apr 2026
CRO Ends Remote VIF Witnessing: In-Person Verification Required from 30 April 2026 Onwards
CRO ends remote VIF witnessing effective 30 April 2026. All director and beneficial owner identity verifications must now be witnessed in person. Updated VIF form required.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingAE24 Apr 2026
ADGM extends beneficial ownership rules to foreign branches and flags nominees on its register
Abu Dhabi Global Market's Registration Authority published amendments to its Beneficial Ownership and Control Regulations on 24 April 2026, in force on publication. Branches of foreign companies and foreign partnerships lose their exemption, the public register shows whether a shareholder or director acts as a nominee, and the Registrar can ask for beneficial ownership information on trusts connected to ADGM.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyFREU24 Apr 2026
France sets new rules for access to its beneficial ownership register
France's Decree no. 2026-310 of 24 April 2026 overhauls access to the register of beneficial owners (registre des bénéficiaires effectifs), implementing the EU's sixth anti-money laundering directive. Outside public authorities and obliged professionals, access is for people with a legitimate interest. The registrar decides requests within 12 working days and grants certificates valid for three years.
- TaxTaxRegulationGIEU10 Apr 2026
Gibraltar replaces import duty with a transaction tax as its EU customs union starts
From 10 April 2026 Gibraltar operates in a bespoke customs union with the EU under the UK–EU treaty on Gibraltar. Import duties end and are replaced by a transaction tax on goods imported or made for sale in Gibraltar, starting at 15% and rising to 17% by the third year, with 5% and 0% rates for some goods. HM Customs Gibraltar collects it, and goods sold in Gibraltar must meet EU standards.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyGB8 Apr 2026
Companies House WebFiling Investigation: Further Update Published
Five-month WebFiling vulnerability exposed directors' personal data and may have enabled unauthorised company filings. Investigation ongoing with ICO and NCSC involvement.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationJP2 Apr 2026
Japan consults on a major reform of the Companies Act
Japan's Ministry of Justice opened a public consultation on 2 April 2026 on an interim draft reform of the Companies Act prepared by the Legislative Council's company law subcommittee. It covers shareholders' meetings, including virtual-only meetings and identifying beneficial shareholders, share issuance and employee share grants, governance and disclosure. Comments closed on 22 May 2026. No bill had been submitted to the Diet.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingHK1 Apr 2026
Hong Kong Business Registration Levy Reinstated: BRC Fees Increase by HKD 150; Budget Adjustments Required
HK Business Registration levy waiver expired 31 March 2026; reinstatement effective 1 April. BRC fees rise HKD 150 (1-year) to HKD 2,350; 3-year to HKD 6,170.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceTH1 Apr 2026
Thailand checks for nominees when foreigners become company signatories
From 1 April 2026, under Order No. 1/2569 of Thailand's Department of Business Development (DBD), a company or partnership registering a change that gives foreign directors or partners more seats or signing power must submit an investment confirmation letter. Directors signing the application must state that all shareholders made genuine contributions and that no Thai national is acting as a nominee. Acting as a nominee for a foreigner carries up to three years in prison.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyVG1 Apr 2026
BVI begins legitimate-interest access to beneficial ownership information
From 1 April 2026, anyone who can show a legitimate interest in investigating, preventing or detecting money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing can request limited beneficial ownership information on a named BVI entity through the VIRRGIN platform. Only owners with 25% or more are disclosed. Companies are notified of requests and can object before any data is released.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceIN23 Mar 2026
India introduces the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026: bigger small companies, easier mergers, two buy-backs a year
The Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23 March 2026 and referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, would amend India's Companies Act and LLP Act. It proposes doubling the small-company limits to ₹20 crore capital and ₹200 crore turnover, lower approval thresholds for fast-track mergers, up to two buy-backs a year, higher CSR thresholds, new 'fit and proper' director disqualification grounds and stronger powers for the NFRA.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceFilings & ReportingEU18 Mar 2026
Commission proposes 'EU Inc.', an optional EU-wide company form incorporable online in 48 hours
On 18 March 2026 the European Commission proposed a regulation creating 'EU Inc.', an optional harmonised company form under the '28th regime'. Founders could incorporate within 48 hours for no more than €100 with no minimum capital, through a single EU interface built on the business registers interconnection system. The proposal also covers digital meetings and share transfers, and fast-track solvent liquidation.
- RegistryData & PrivacyFilings & ReportingGB16 Mar 2026
Companies House closes WebFiling over a flaw that let users see and change other companies' details
Companies House shut WebFiling on 13 March 2026 after finding that a logged-in user could, through a specific sequence of actions, view and change parts of another company's record. Unpublished data such as dates of birth, residential addresses and company email addresses may have been visible, and unauthorised filings may have been possible. The flaw dated from an October 2025 update. Every company was asked to check its details and filing history.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyGG27 Feb 2026
Guernsey consults on legitimate-interest access to its beneficial ownership register
Guernsey published a consultation on 27 February 2026 proposing that people who can show a legitimate interest in preventing money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing may apply to the Guernsey Registry for beneficial ownership information. Requests would be assessed case by case, and beneficial owners could ask for details to be withheld where disclosure puts them at risk. Obliged entities already have access.
- LegislationESGEU26 Feb 2026
Omnibus I directive published: CSRD only above 1,000 staff, CSDDD only above 5,000 from 2029
The Omnibus I directive (EU) 2026/470 was published in the Official Journal on 26 February 2026 and entered into force on 18 March 2026. CSRD reporting now applies only to companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million turnover, and the CSDDD only above 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion, with compliance from 26 July 2029. Member states must transpose the CSRD changes by 19 March 2027.
- RegulatorFilings & ReportingRegulationSG26 Feb 2026
Singapore reviews audit exemption thresholds for small companies
ACRA announced on 26 February 2026 a review of Singapore's audit exemption framework to cut costs for small companies. It will consult on raising the S$10 million revenue and asset thresholds, unchanged since 2015, and on letting some subsidiaries qualify even if their group does not. Industry consultations ran from March 2026.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyFilings & ReportingGI23 Feb 2026
Gibraltar opens its beneficial ownership register free of charge to anyone
On 23 February 2026 Gibraltar's Government announced that its Register of Ultimate Beneficial Owners would shortly be fully operational and searchable free of charge by any individual. It follows a commitment by the Chief Minister to the UK's Minister for Europe to give free and unhindered access. Gibraltar has had a public register since 2020, and improvements to the register and its enforcement come ahead of a Moneyval assessment.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGI18 Feb 2026
Gibraltar launches online company incorporation for licensed formation agents
Companies House Gibraltar launched an online incorporation service on 18 February 2026 for firms licensed by the GFSC to provide company formation and management services. Approved users can reserve names online for 14 days and submit the full application as one OCR'd PDF through the portal.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFilings & ReportingES17 Feb 2026
Spain proposes electronic shareholder registers filed with the Commercial Registry
Spain's Council of Ministers approved the draft Organic Law on Public Integrity on 17 February 2026. Among 84 anti-corruption measures, it would require limited companies to keep their shareholder register electronically and file it each year with the Commercial Registry, including their beneficial owners. A new registry section would record share ownership and transfers, and only registered holders would be treated as shareholders. It is a draft and needs parliamentary approval.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingSK3 Feb 2026
Slovakia adopts a new Commercial Register Act, with notarial deeds for company formation and share transfers
Slovakia's National Council approved a new Act on the Commercial Register on 3 February 2026, amending the Commercial Code and the transformations act. From 17 August 2026, founding documents of an s.r.o. and transfers of an ownership interest must be made by notarial deed or a document authorised by an attorney, with an exception for simplified online incorporation. Register filings and powers of attorney are also tightened.
- ReportingRegulationLegislationGB20 Jan 2026
Audit Reform Bill Abandoned: Corporate Reporting Authority to Replace FRC
Audit Reform Bill formally scrapped (20 Jan 2026). ARGA will not replace FRC; large private companies remain lightly regulated. Modernising Corporate Reporting consultation forthcoming.
- RegistryRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingGB19 Jan 2026
ECCTA Implementation Milestone Delayed: Mandatory ACSP Registration Now November 2026 at Earliest
Companies House said on 19 January 2026 that its presenter measures, due in spring 2026, would start no earlier than November 2026. Once in force, third-party agents filing for companies must be registered Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs). Registration stayed open on a voluntary basis. The date later moved again, to no earlier than November 2027.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationGH12 Jan 2026
Ghana starts penalising companies that have not filed beneficial ownership details
From 12 January 2026, Ghana's Office of the Registrar of Companies enforces a GHS 500 penalty regime against existing companies that missed the 30 October 2025 deadline to file their beneficial ownership information. The Office said some companies remained non-compliant and that giving false information remains an offence carrying fines or imprisonment.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyLegislationITEU9 Jan 2026
Italy limits public access to its beneficial ownership register
Italy's Legislative Decree no. 210 of 31 December 2025, in force from 9 January 2026, implements the EU's sixth anti-money laundering directive on access to the beneficial ownership register. Members of the public need a relevant and specific legal interest that is direct, concrete and current, backed by documents. Authorities and the financial intelligence unit keep unrestricted access, and obliged entities have access for customer due diligence.
- ReportingGB1 Jan 2026
UK Corporate Governance Code 2024: Provision 29 Internal Controls Declaration Now in Force
Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024 applies to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Boards must declare in the annual report whether their material internal controls were effective at the balance sheet date and describe how they monitored and reviewed them. First declarations appear in 2027 annual reports.
- RegistryLegislationFilings & ReportingBG1 Jan 2026
Bulgaria adopts the euro: company capital converted, articles to be amended within 12 months
Bulgaria joined the euro on 1 January 2026. Under the Euro Introduction Act, the Registry Agency converts companies' registered capital from leva to euro automatically at BGN 1.95583, and companies had 12 months to amend their articles, filing them with their next application to the Commercial Register. Limited companies can adjust capital by up to 5% to round figures, and shares can have a nominal value as low as one euro cent.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingBR1 Jan 2026
Brazil requires companies to re-file beneficial owners on a new annual form
Brazil's Normative Instruction RFB no. 2,290/2025, in force from 1 January 2026, replaces the old process for reporting ultimate beneficial owners with an electronic form (e-BEF). Companies and other entities with a CNPJ must re-file their beneficial owners, generally by the end of 2026, then file every year even without changes and within 30 days of any change. Failure can lead to suspension of the CNPJ.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationFI1 Jan 2026
Finland's Trade Register goes online-only for company filings
From 1 January 2026, companies must file all notifications and applications with the Finnish Trade Register online, through ytj.fi or the PRH's online forms with strong electronic authentication. This includes start-up and change notifications, terminations, financial statements and corrections. Paper filings received from 1 January 2026 are not processed. Private traders, associations and foundations are excluded.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingPH1 Jan 2026
Philippine SEC tightens beneficial ownership disclosure from 2026
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission's revised beneficial ownership disclosure rules (Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025) took effect on 1 January 2026, replacing earlier SEC issuances. All SEC-registered corporations, domestic or foreign, must report beneficial owners using a 20% threshold, disclose nominees and report changes promptly. The SEC will verify filings, and officers who file false declarations face fines of up to PHP 1 million and disqualification.
- ReportingESGRegulationTW1 Jan 2026
Taiwan's largest listed companies start IFRS sustainability reporting in 2026
Under the Financial Supervisory Commission's roadmap, Taiwan's listed companies with paid-in capital of NT$10 billion or more apply standards aligned with IFRS S1 and S2 from financial year 2026, with the first disclosures in 2027. Smaller listed companies follow in later phases, with the third phase starting in 2028. Scope 3 emissions become mandatory only from the fourth year a company applies the standards.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingUS1 Jan 2026
New York's LLC Transparency Act takes effect for foreign-formed LLCs
From 1 January 2026, New York's Department of State requires non-exempt LLCs formed under the law of a foreign country and authorised to do business in New York to file beneficial ownership disclosure statements, initially and then annually, or an attestation of exemption. Each statement names people who own 25% or more or exercise substantial control. Filings are confidential, cost $25 and are submitted by email.
- TaxTaxLegislationIL29 Dec 2025
Israel enacts a 15% domestic minimum tax for large groups from 2026
Israel's Knesset approved Pillar Two legislation on 29 December 2025, published on 31 December and in force from 1 January 2026. It introduces a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax so that Israeli entities of multinational groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million in two of the previous four years pay at least 15%. Israel is not adopting the income inclusion or undertaxed profits rules for now.
- TaxTaxLegislationCY22 Dec 2025
Cyprus raises corporate tax to 15% and ends deemed dividend distribution from 2026
Cyprus's House of Representatives passed a tax reform package on 22 December 2025, published on 31 December and mostly in force from 1 January 2026. The corporate income tax rate rises from 12.5% to 15% from tax year 2026. Deemed dividend distribution is abolished for profits from 2026, the special defence contribution on dividends falls to 5% in most cases, stamp duty is abolished and tax losses can be carried forward for seven years instead of five.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceRO18 Dec 2025
Romania brings back minimum share capital for SRLs and restricts dividends when net assets fall
Romania's Law no. 239/2025, in force from 18 December 2025, amends the Companies Law. New limited liability companies (SRLs) need share capital of at least RON 500, and SRLs with net turnover above RON 400,000 need at least RON 5,000, with existing companies given until 18 December 2027. Companies whose net assets fall below half their share capital cannot pay dividends, and every company must hold a Romanian bank account.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyCZ17 Dec 2025
Czech beneficial ownership register closes to the public
From 17 December 2025 the Czech Ministry of Justice withdrew public online access to the register of beneficial owners. Access is now limited to public authorities, anti-money laundering obliged entities such as banks and notaries, and people who show a legitimate interest. The move followed 2025 rulings of the Czech supreme courts that open access breached EU law.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGovernanceID17 Dec 2025
Indonesian companies must file their approved annual reports with the Ministry of Law
Indonesia's Minister of Law Regulation No. 49 of 2025 requires limited liability companies (PT) to file their annual report, and the notarial deed of the shareholders' approval, with the Ministry of Law through its online legal entity system (SABH). The annual report goes to shareholders within six months of the financial year end, and the notary must file the deed within 30 days. The Ministry says sanctions, including blocking access, apply from November 2026.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationLU16 Dec 2025
Luxembourg proposes letting S.à r.l. founders pay the minimum capital within 12 months
Luxembourg's Government filed bill 8669 on 16 December 2025 to amend the law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies. Founders of a private limited company (S.à r.l. or S.à r.l.-S) would be able to pay the legally required minimum capital in cash up to 12 months after incorporation, instead of in full at incorporation. The capital must still be fully subscribed, and contributions in kind stay payable up front. The bill still has to pass Parliament.
- LegislationESGLegislationFilings & ReportingEU9 Dec 2025
EU agrees Omnibus I: CSRD only for companies over 1,000 staff, CSDDD only above 5,000
The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional deal on Omnibus I on 9 December 2025. CSRD reporting applies only to EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and over €450 million turnover. The CSDDD applies only above 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion turnover. The climate transition plan duty is dropped and civil liability becomes a national matter.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGovernanceLegislationNO9 Dec 2025
Norway's new register laws drop the deputy chair role, with knock-on effects for signing rights
New Norwegian laws on the Central Coordinating Register and the Register of Business Enterprises took effect on 1 January 2026. Deputy chairs (nestleder) are no longer a registered role for most businesses and were re-registered as board members in early 2026, alongside the removal of observers and many contact persons. Signature rights or procuration tied to the deputy chair role may no longer be relied on by banks.
- TaxTaxLegislationEE3 Dec 2025
Estonia cancels the rise to 24%: tax on distributed profits stays at 22% in 2026
Estonia's Parliament adopted amendments on 3 December 2025 cancelling the planned rise in the income tax rate from 22% to 24% from 2026. Corporate income tax on distributed profits stays at 22/78 of the net distribution, and no new tax on annual company profits is introduced.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingBM1 Dec 2025
Bermuda's Registrar consults on beneficial ownership rules and sets enforcement for June 2026
In December 2025 Bermuda's Registrar of Companies released draft Beneficial Ownership Regulations and Guidance Notes for industry comment by 30 January 2026, and said it would start enforcing the beneficial ownership regime on 1 June 2026. Legal persons were told to have their registers in order and their information filed with the Registrar before then.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationIN1 Dec 2025
India raises the 'small company' thresholds to ₹10 crore capital and ₹100 crore turnover
From 1 December 2025, an Indian private company counts as a 'small company' if its paid-up capital is no more than ₹10 crore and its turnover no more than ₹100 crore, up from ₹4 crore and ₹40 crore. Small companies get lighter compliance, including two board meetings a year, lower penalties, the fast-track merger route, and exemption from compulsory dematerialisation.
- TaxTaxLegislationRU28 Nov 2025
Russia raises VAT to 22% from 2026
Russia's Federal Law no. 425-FZ of 28 November 2025 raises the standard VAT rate from 20% to 22% from 1 January 2026. The 10% reduced rate for food, medicines, books and children's goods stays. The Federal Tax Service says supplies made from 1 January 2026 are taxed at 22% whenever the contract was signed.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceGB18 Nov 2025
Identity verification becomes compulsory for UK directors and PSCs
From 18 November 2025, anyone becoming a director or person with significant control of a UK company must verify their identity with Companies House. Existing directors confirm verification with their company's next confirmation statement over a 12-month transition. More than 1.5 million people had already verified voluntarily. Failing to comply on time is an offence.
- LegislationData & PrivacyFilings & ReportingLegislationNZ18 Nov 2025
New Zealand lets company directors hide their home addresses from November 2026
New Zealand's Companies (Address Information) Amendment Act 2025 became law on 18 November 2025 and comes into force on 18 November 2026. Directors can ask the Companies Office to replace their residential address on the public register with an address for service where publishing it is likely to cause physical or mental harm to them or someone living with them. The Companies Office still holds the residential address.
- LegislationESGLegislationUS18 Nov 2025
Ninth Circuit pauses California's climate-risk reporting law (SB 261) weeks before its first deadline
On 18 November 2025 the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit enjoined enforcement of California's SB 261, which required companies with more than $500 million revenue doing business in California to publish climate-related financial risk reports by 1 January 2026, pending appeal. SB 253, the emissions reporting law for companies over $1 billion, was not affected. CARB said it would not enforce SB 261 while the injunction stands.
- RegulatorGovernanceRegulationUS17 Nov 2025
SEC staff stop giving views on most shareholder proposal exclusions for the 2025-26 season
On 17 November 2025 the SEC's Division of Corporation Finance said it would not respond to most Rule 14a-8 no-action requests for the 2025-26 proxy season, except those arguing a proposal is improper under state law. Companies still had to notify the SEC 80 days before filing their proxy, and could get a 'no objection' response on their own representation that exclusion was justified.
- TaxTaxLegislationFilings & ReportingMX7 Nov 2025
Mexico tightens control of electronic invoices from 2026
Mexico's amendments to the Federal Tax Code (CFF), published on 7 November 2025 as part of the 2026 economic package, take effect on 1 January 2026. Electronic invoices (CFDIs) that don't back real transactions can be treated as false, and the tax authority (SAT) can restrict the digital seal certificates of companies that use them, which blocks their invoicing. The reform also changes taxpayer registration (RFC) and invoice cancellation rules.
- TaxTaxLegislationPT7 Nov 2025
Portugal cuts corporate tax to 19% in 2026, falling to 17% by 2028
Portugal's Law 64/2025, published on 7 November 2025, cuts the general corporate income tax (IRC) rate to 19% for tax periods starting in 2026, 18% in 2027 and 17% from 1 January 2028. The rate on the first EUR 50,000 of profit for small and mid-sized companies falls to 15% from 2026. The general rate had already fallen from 21% to 20% in 2025.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyJE31 Oct 2025
Jersey consults on letting people with a legitimate interest see beneficial ownership data
Jersey's Government consulted from 31 October 2025 to 30 January 2026 on giving people with a legitimate interest in fighting money laundering access to its central register of beneficial ownership. Applicants would have to show the information is directly relevant and access proportionate. Beneficial owners could see who looked at their data, and minors would be protected.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGB30 Oct 2025
Companies House fees rise again from 1 February 2026: £50 confirmation statement, £100 incorporation
Companies House announced on 30 October 2025 that from 1 February 2026 the digital confirmation statement fee would rise to £50, digital incorporation to £100, and the voluntary strike-off fee would change to £13. Fee income also funds the Insolvency Service's company investigations and Companies House's new enforcement work.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyLegislationPTEU27 Oct 2025
Portugal limits access to its beneficial owner register to a legitimate interest
Portugal's Decree-Law 115/2025 of 27 October 2025, in force from 1 November 2025, amends the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (RCBE) regime. Public access ends: only people and organisations that show a legitimate interest can see beneficial ownership information, and every access is logged for five years with the interest invoked. Undivided inheritances no longer need to register beneficial owners.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationAU15 Oct 2025
Australia to build a public register of who owns unlisted companies
Australia's Government said on 15 October 2025 it would go straight to a public, Commonwealth-operated register of the beneficial owners of unlisted companies, dropping its earlier plan for companies to keep their own registers first. A parallel regime for trusts is planned. Detailed policy work begins in early 2027. Separate laws tightening ownership disclosure for listed entities passed in December 2025 and apply from 4 December 2026.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationFI3 Oct 2025
Finland's PRH starts charging fees for late financial statements
The Finnish Patent and Registration Office began charging limited liability companies and co-operatives for late financial statements in autumn 2025, under Trade Register Act changes in force from 1 January 2025. The fee is €150, €300 or €600 depending on how late the filing is, doubled for public companies and for repeat failures. It applies to financial periods ending on or after 1 December 2024.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationAE1 Oct 2025
UAE allows multiple share classes in LLCs and private companies
The UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, issued on 1 October 2025, amends the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021). Limited liability companies and private and public joint stock companies can now have several classes of shares or quotas with different rights, under models approved by Cabinet decision. It also adds statutory drag-along and tag-along rights and a framework for non-profit companies.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingCA1 Oct 2025
Canada: banks and other reporting entities must flag beneficial ownership discrepancies to Corporations Canada
From 1 October 2025, FINTRAC-regulated reporting entities must check Corporations Canada's register of individuals with significant control for CBCA corporations they rate high risk, and report material discrepancies within 30 days. Typos and address differences do not count. CBCA corporations can expect their ISC filings to be compared with what they give their banks and advisers.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingBM29 Sep 2025
Bermuda moves its beneficial ownership register to the Registrar of Companies under a new Act
Bermuda's Beneficial Ownership Act 2025 received assent on 29 September 2025 and was expected to come into force on 3 November 2025. It takes the beneficial ownership rules out of the Companies Act 1981 and moves the central register from the Bermuda Monetary Authority to the Registrar of Companies. Access remains limited to competent authorities and regulated firms doing due diligence.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingCH26 Sep 2025
Swiss Parliament adopts a central register of beneficial owners
On 26 September 2025 the Swiss Parliament adopted the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners, with a partial revision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. It creates a central federal transparency register, kept by the Federal Office of Justice, where Swiss companies and other legal entities, and some foreign entities, must report their beneficial owners. The register is not public.
- RegulatorGovernanceRegulationUS17 Sep 2025
SEC says mandatory arbitration clauses will not hold up IPO registrations
On 17 September 2025 the SEC issued a policy statement that a provision requiring investors to arbitrate federal securities claims will not affect its decisions to accelerate the effectiveness of registration statements. Staff will look instead at whether the provision is adequately disclosed. Whether such provisions are valid under state law remains a separate question.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceBH8 Sep 2025
Bahrain amends its Commercial Companies Law: single-shareholder closed companies and wider liability for managers
Bahrain's Decree-Law No. 38 of 2025, issued on 8 September 2025 and in force from 12 September, amends the Commercial Companies Law. Founders, partners and capital owners are no longer personally liable for company debts by default, while managers and board members, including shadow managers, are personally liable for damage caused by negligence or breach. A closed joint stock company can now have a single shareholder, and virtual meetings and e-voting are allowed.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceIN4 Sep 2025
India widens fast-track mergers to unlisted companies with up to ₹200 crore of debt
India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs amended the merger rules in September 2025 to open the fast-track route under section 233 of the Companies Act to unlisted companies with borrowings of no more than ₹200 crore and no defaults. Holding-subsidiary mergers where the transferor is unlisted, and mergers between fellow subsidiaries, are also covered. The route avoids the National Company Law Tribunal.
- LegislationESGLegislationDEEU3 Sep 2025
Germany's cabinet approves CSRD implementation and a lighter supply-chain due diligence law
On 3 September 2025 Germany's cabinet approved a bill to implement the EU sustainability reporting directive, covering up to 3,900 companies, and an amendment to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) that drops its reporting duty and limits fines to serious breaches. Germany had missed the CSRD deadline. Both bills were still in Parliament in 2026, and the CSRD bill must reflect the EU's Omnibus I changes.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyGB27 Aug 2025
Companies House WebFiling moves to GOV.UK One Login from 13 October 2025
From 13 October 2025, signing in to a Companies House WebFiling account requires GOV.UK One Login, with two-factor authentication. Filers must connect their WebFiling account on first sign-in after that date. Companies House advised checking that the WebFiling email address is current and pruning the list of companies the account files for. Charge documents can still be filed without connecting.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationKR25 Aug 2025
South Korea makes cumulative voting compulsory for large listed companies
South Korea's National Assembly passed a second amendment to the Commercial Act on 25 August 2025. Listed companies with assets of KRW 2 trillion or more can no longer opt out of cumulative voting for director elections in their articles, and must elect at least two audit committee members separately from the rest of the board, up from one. The changes took effect on 10 September 2026.
- RegulatorESGFilings & ReportingRegulationSG25 Aug 2025
Singapore extends climate reporting timelines for most listed and large private companies
ACRA and SGX RegCo extended Singapore's climate reporting timelines on 25 August 2025, with immediate effect. All listed companies still report Scope 1 and 2 emissions from FY2025, and Straits Times Index constituents keep full ISSB-based disclosures from FY2025. Other listed companies get until FY2028 or FY2030 depending on size, and external assurance is deferred to FY2029.
- RegulatorFilings & ReportingRegulationAU20 Aug 2025
ASIC finds most formerly 'grandfathered' large private companies are not lodging accounts
ASIC said on 20 August 2025 that 755 of 1,166 large proprietary companies that lost their 'grandfathered' exemption in 2022 had not lodged financial reports for FY23 or FY24. Auditors had mostly not reported the breaches. ASIC launched a wider surveillance of non-lodgement by large proprietary companies, due to finish in early 2026, and warned of enforcement.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacySI9 Aug 2025
Slovenia closes its beneficial ownership register to the public
From 9 August 2025 Slovenia's register of beneficial owners, kept by AJPES, is no longer publicly accessible. The ZPPDFT-2C amendment to the anti-money laundering act limits access to authorities, obliged entities and people with a legitimate interest, who must apply.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationMU8 Aug 2025
Mauritius tightens beneficial ownership duties for companies, with a June 2026 deadline
Mauritius's Finance Act 2025, assented to on 8 August 2025, amends section 91 of the Companies Act 2001. Companies must keep a record of the steps taken to identify their beneficial owners, obtain a signed declaration from each beneficial owner, and be told of any change in status. Companies incorporated before the changes had until 30 June 2026 to comply.
- TaxTaxLegislationMU8 Aug 2025
Mauritius brings in a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large groups
Mauritius's Finance Act 2025 adds a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax to the Income Tax Act 1995 from the year of assessment starting 1 July 2025. Mauritian entities of multinational groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million pay top-up tax where their combined effective rate in Mauritius is below 15%. Detailed regulations followed in July 2026.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceGB5 Aug 2025
Companies House confirms compulsory identity verification from 18 November 2025
Companies House confirmed on 5 August 2025 that identity verification for directors and people with significant control would become a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. New directors must verify before incorporation or appointment. Existing directors confirm verification with their next confirmation statement during a 12-month transition, and existing PSCs verify by an appointed day within that year.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationGI31 Jul 2025
Gibraltar raises Companies House fees from 1 August 2025
The Companies Act (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, published on 31 July 2025, raised Gibraltar Companies House fees from 1 August 2025. Late-filing fees under section 426 rose by about 3%, from £150–£300 to £154.50–£309, and the fee schedule was reissued, with incorporation at £100 plus stamp duty and express incorporation at £200 (same day) or £500 (within two hours).
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationIE16 Jul 2025
Ireland: a single late annual return no longer costs small companies their audit exemption
From 16 July 2025, Irish small and micro companies lose their audit exemption only if they file an annual return late and have also filed late in any of the previous five years. Before, one late filing was enough. Late returns filed before 16 July 2025 do not count, and late filing fees still apply every time.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingMX16 Jul 2025
Mexico's anti-money laundering reform requires every company to identify its beneficial controller
Mexico's reform of its anti-money laundering law (LFPIORPI), published on 16 July 2025, defines the beneficial controller (beneficiario controlador) as the individual who ultimately benefits from or controls a company. All commercial companies must identify their beneficial controllers, and businesses carrying out vulnerable activities must collect that information from clients. The reform also widens the list of vulnerable activities and toughens penalties.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyLegislationNLEU16 Jul 2025
Netherlands restores limited access to its UBO register
The Dutch act restricting access to the UBO registers (Wijzigingswet beperking toegang UBO-registers) was passed by the Senate on 8 July 2025 and largely took effect on 16 July 2025. Public access, suspended since the EU Court of Justice ruling of November 2022, is replaced by access for competent authorities, obliged entities doing customer due diligence, people with a legitimate interest and entities for their own data. A decree setting out who has a legitimate interest followed separately.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationGR8 Jul 2025
Greece switches on fines for late or missing filings with the GEMI business register
Greece's Joint Ministerial Decision 46982/2025, published on 8 July 2025, puts into effect the fines in article 50 of Law 4919/2022 for failing to register, or registering late, acts with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI). Fines range from €50 to €100,000 by entity type and breach, and are halved if paid within 30 days with the filing made. Entities had until 31 December 2025 to catch up, and fines apply from 1 January 2026.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationKR3 Jul 2025
South Korea extends directors' duty of loyalty to shareholders
South Korea's National Assembly passed an amendment to the Commercial Act on 3 July 2025. Directors now owe their duty of loyalty to shareholders as well as to the company, and must treat all shareholders fairly, from promulgation. After a one-year grace period, listed companies must have independent directors on at least one-third of the board and the 3% voting cap widens. Large listed companies must offer electronic shareholder meetings from 1 January 2027.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationGH1 Jul 2025
Ghana gives older companies until 30 October 2025 to file beneficial ownership details
Ghana's Office of the Registrar of Companies directed on 1 July 2025 that companies existing before it began collecting beneficial ownership information electronically in January 2020 must file those details by 30 October 2025. The duty covers companies limited by shares or guarantee, unlimited companies and external companies, under the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992). Daily penalties were announced for late filers.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingVN1 Jul 2025
Vietnam's amended Enterprise Law requires companies to disclose beneficial owners
Vietnam's Law No. 76/2025/QH15 amending the Law on Enterprises took effect on 1 July 2025 with Decree 168/2025/ND-CP on enterprise registration. Companies must collect and file information on their beneficial owners, generally individuals owning 25% or more of capital or voting shares or with power over key decisions. New companies file at registration, and existing companies when they next register or notify a change. Listed, public and state-owned companies are exempt.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingHU26 Jun 2025
Hungary moves company registration from the courts to a central authority from 2027
In June 2025 Hungary's Parliament adopted two acts that, from 1 January 2027, replace the laws on registering, supervising and winding up legal entities. Registration moves from the courts to a single registry run by a new central administrative authority, most changes are registered automatically, and not all registration documents will be public. Courts keep judicial supervision and winding-up.
- TaxTaxLegislationLT26 Jun 2025
Lithuania raises corporate income tax to 17% from 2026 to fund defence
Lithuania's Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on Corporate Income Tax in June 2025, raising the standard rate from 16% to 17% and the reduced rate from 6% to 7% from 1 January 2026, as part of a package creating a Defence Fund. The 0% rate for newly registered small companies now lasts two years and depends only on taxable income of up to EUR 300,000.
- TaxTaxLegislationNG26 Jun 2025
Nigeria consolidates its tax laws, with a 15% minimum rate for large companies from 2026
Nigeria's President signed the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 on 26 June 2025, in force from 1 January 2026. It replaces the Companies Income Tax Act and other tax laws with one Act. Companies with turnover of at least N20 billion, and members of multinational groups, must pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, and Nigerian parent companies may owe a top-up tax. The 30% rate for large companies stays.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceBS19 Jun 2025
The Bahamas bans nominee directors and tightens rules on nominee shareholders
The Bahamas' Companies (Amendment) Act 2025 and International Business Companies (Amendment) Act 2025, enacted on 19 June 2025, prohibit anyone acting on a third party's instructions from serving as a company director. Acting as a nominee director is an offence with fines up to USD 50,000 and 12 months' imprisonment. Nominee shareholders remain allowed but must be disclosed and backed by a declaration of trust.
- TaxTaxLegislationEE19 Jun 2025
Estonia scraps its planned security tax and legislates a 24% income tax rate from 2026
Estonia's Parliament voted on 19 June 2025 to repeal the security tax that would have added 2% on company profits from 2026, and to raise the income tax rate from 22% to 24% from 2026 instead, including the tax on distributed profits. The law was published on 8 July 2025. Estonia keeps its system of taxing companies only when they distribute profits.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceSG16 Jun 2025
Singapore's nominee disclosure and controller verification rules take effect
From 16 June 2025, Singapore companies and LLPs must verify their registrable controllers every year, new companies must give ACRA controller and nominee details on incorporation, and nominee directors and shareholders are flagged on the public register. Existing companies had until 31 December 2025 to file their nominee information with ACRA. CSP registration became mandatory the same month.
- RegulatorRegulationEUPABBGIAEPH10 Jun 2025
EU takes Panama, Barbados, Gibraltar, the UAE and others off its money-laundering high-risk list
On 10 June 2025 the European Commission adopted Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1184, removing Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates from the EU list of high-risk third countries for money laundering. It was published on 16 July and took effect on 5 August 2025. EU firms no longer have to apply mandatory enhanced due diligence to them.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationCA1 Jun 2025
Québec: businesses with 5 to 24 employees must report French-language capacity to the enterprise register
From 1 June 2025, enterprises registered in Québec with 5 to 24 employees must state in their annual or current updating declaration to the Registraire des entreprises the proportion of employees unable to communicate in French at work. The duty, added by Bill 96 to the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises, previously applied to businesses with 5 to 49 employees. The information is public.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationUS30 May 2025
Nevada amends its corporate law: controlling stockholder duties narrowed and jury trial waivers allowed
Nevada's Governor signed Assembly Bill 239 on 30 May 2025, with immediate effect. Stockholders generally owe no fiduciary duties, but a controlling stockholder must not use undue influence to induce directors or officers to breach their duties, with a presumption of compliance where disinterested directors approved the transaction. Nevada corporations can also put a jury trial waiver for internal disputes in their articles.
- TaxFilings & ReportingRegulationPE28 May 2025
Peru's SUNAT sets a staggered schedule for all remaining companies to declare beneficial owners
Peru's tax authority SUNAT published Resolución de Superintendencia No. 168-2025/SUNAT on 28 May 2025, setting deadlines for companies and entities not covered by earlier rules to file their beneficial owner declaration (Formulario Virtual 3800). Deadlines run from October 2025 to November 2026 by 2024 net income band, with the smallest companies and newly obliged entities filing in November 2026. Late or inaccurate filings carry fines of 0.6% of net income, between 5 and 50 UIT.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceFilings & ReportingHK23 May 2025
Hong Kong opens a re-domiciliation regime for overseas companies
From 23 May 2025 companies incorporated outside Hong Kong can re-domicile to Hong Kong and keep their legal identity, under the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2025. Applicants must meet solvency, integrity and creditor-protection conditions, and approve the move by a 75% majority. They must then deregister in their original place of incorporation within 120 days.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationUS14 May 2025
Texas codifies the business judgment rule and lets companies limit small-holder derivative suits
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 29 on 14 May 2025, effective immediately. It codifies the business judgment rule for Texas corporations and lets listed or larger corporations require shareholders to hold up to 3% of shares before bringing a derivative suit. It also adds a process for testing directors' independence and routes disputes to the new Texas Business Court, part of Texas's push to attract incorporations from Delaware.
- RegulatorRegulationData & PrivacyLI7 May 2025
EFTA Court rules on access to Liechtenstein's beneficial ownership register
On 7 May 2025 the EFTA Court answered questions from Liechtenstein's Administrative Court about access to the register of beneficial owners. It held that showing a legitimate interest is necessary and sufficient for access, and that a rigid national rule always requiring the applicant to name the legal entity, rather than the beneficial owner, could make access excessively difficult.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationMY24 Apr 2025
Malaysia's Labuan centre rewrites beneficial ownership rules for Labuan companies
Malaysia's Labuan Companies (Amendment) Act 2025 (Act A1756), gazetted on 24 April 2025, replaces the beneficial ownership provisions of the Labuan Companies Act 1990 with a new Part VA. Labuan companies and foreign Labuan companies must keep a register of beneficial owners with each owner's identity, residence and dates. Parallel amendments cover Labuan trusts, foundations and partnerships.
- LegislationESGLegislationFilings & ReportingEU16 Apr 2025
EU 'stop-the-clock' directive delays CSRD reporting by two years and the CSDDD by one
Directive (EU) 2025/794 was published on 16 April 2025, fast-tracked from the Commission's Omnibus I proposals. It postpones CSRD reporting by two years for companies not yet reporting, the second and third waves, and delays the CSDDD by a year, to July 2027 for transposition and July 2028 for the first companies. Member states had to transpose it by 31 December 2025.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationKE11 Apr 2025
Kenya gives companies that missed the beneficial ownership deadline 30 days or face strike-off
On 11 April 2025 Kenya's Registrar of Companies published a list of companies that had not filed their beneficial ownership registers by the 30 November 2024 deadline. They had 30 days, to 11 May 2025, to comply and to confirm that they were still trading, or be struck off the register. The Business Registration Service continues to accept late filings.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGovernanceGB8 Apr 2025
Directors and PSCs can now verify their identity with Companies House, ahead of compulsory checks
From 8 April 2025 directors, people with significant control and anyone filing with Companies House could verify their identity voluntarily, directly through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Companies House expected verification to become compulsory from autumn 2025. Existing directors' checks would be tied to their companies' confirmation statements.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingSA3 Apr 2025
Saudi Arabia's new commercial register replaces renewals with annual confirmation
Saudi Arabia's new Commercial Register Law and Trade Names Law came into force on 3 April 2025. Each business now has one national commercial registration with a unified national number instead of separate branch registrations, and registrations no longer expire. Instead, businesses must confirm their data every year. Changes must be registered within 15 days, and fines reach SAR 500,000.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGovernanceIM1 Apr 2025
Isle of Man companies must notify director changes within a month
From 1 April 2025, companies under the Isle of Man's Companies Act 2006 must notify the Companies Registry of their first directors, and of any later change to the register of directors, within one month. Existing companies had until 1 May 2025 to file earlier unreported appointments. Director details are no longer updated through the annual return, which has a new form from 1 May 2025.
- TaxTaxLegislationSK1 Apr 2025
Slovakia's financial transaction tax starts for companies
Slovakia's Act No. 279/2024 on the financial transaction tax took effect on 1 January 2025, with the first tax period from 1 April 2025. Companies and other legal entities with a seat or business in Slovakia pay 0.4% of debit transactions from their business accounts, capped at €40 per transaction. Self-employed people were taken out of the tax from 2026, leaving companies in scope.
- RegulatorESGFilings & ReportingRegulationAU31 Mar 2025
ASIC issues its sustainability reporting guide (RG 280) as climate reporting begins
ASIC published Regulatory Guide 280 on 31 March 2025, explaining who must prepare a sustainability report under the Corporations Act, what it must contain and how ASIC will administer the regime. ASIC said it would be pragmatic and proportionate in the early years, focusing enforcement on serious or reckless misconduct and on failures to prepare a report.
- TaxTaxLegislationQA27 Mar 2025
Qatar introduces a 15% minimum tax for large multinational groups
Qatar's Law No. 22 of 2024, published in the Official Gazette on 27 March 2025, amends the Income Tax Law to introduce a domestic minimum top-up tax and an income inclusion rule for multinational groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million in two of the last four years. It applies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025, across Qatar including the Qatar Financial Centre and free zones. Executive regulations followed in February 2026.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationUS26 Mar 2025
Delaware's SB 21 creates safe harbours for conflicted and controller transactions and narrows books-and-records demands
Delaware enacted Senate Bill 21 on 26 March 2025, rewriting section 144 of the General Corporation Law to give statutory safe harbours for transactions involving interested directors, officers and controlling stockholders, and narrowing stockholders' books-and-records rights under section 220. It applies to past acts except actions or demands made on or before 17 February 2025. The Delaware Supreme Court upheld it in February 2026.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingUS21 Mar 2025
FinCEN exempts all US companies from beneficial ownership reporting
On 21 March 2025 FinCEN issued an interim final rule narrowing Corporate Transparency Act reporting to foreign companies registered to do business in a US state or tribal jurisdiction. All companies formed in the US, and their owners, became exempt. Foreign reporting companies had 30 days from publication to file and need not report US beneficial owners.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGB18 Mar 2025
Companies House opens registration for Authorised Corporate Service Providers
From 18 March 2025, accountants, lawyers, formation agents and other third parties could apply to Companies House to become Authorised Corporate Service Providers. ACSPs must be UK-based and supervised for anti-money laundering, and will verify clients' identities and file for them. Voluntary identity verification for individuals followed from 8 April 2025.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFR12 Mar 2025
France reforms when company decisions can be annulled, from 1 October 2025
France's Ordinance no. 2025-229 of 12 March 2025 reforms the rules on annulling company acts and decisions (nullités en droit des sociétés). From 1 October 2025 the limitation period for nullity actions falls from three years to two, a breach of the articles is generally no longer a ground for nullity, and capital increases by listed companies can no longer be annulled once completed. SAS articles may still provide for nullity of decisions taken in breach of their rules.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingTaxGB6 Mar 2025
Companies House and HMRC to close the free joint accounts and tax return filing service
Companies House and HMRC announced on 6 March 2025 that their joint online service for filing company accounts and Company Tax Returns would close on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026, companies file accounts through software, Companies House web services or on paper, and must use software for their Company Tax Return. Companies House also confirmed that accounts will eventually have to be filed by software only.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyKY28 Feb 2025
Cayman Islands opens beneficial ownership data to applicants with a legitimate interest
The Cayman Islands' Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Legitimate Interest Access) Regulations, 2024 took effect on 28 February 2025. Journalists, academics, civil society organisations and prospective counterparties can apply for limited beneficial ownership information on a named legal person, for anti-money laundering purposes. Searches by an individual's name are not allowed, and owners at serious risk can seek protection under separate access restriction regulations.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingUS28 Feb 2025
Wyoming can dissolve companies that give false information to their registered agent
Wyoming's Senate File 56, in force from 28 February 2025, lets the Secretary of State administratively dissolve or revoke a business entity that gave false or fraudulent information to its registered agent. A separate 2025 law, from 1 July 2025, adds foreign adversary ownership or control as a ground for dissolution of corporations, LLCs and foundations. A wider bill requiring commercial registered agents to verify identity failed.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceDK27 Feb 2025
Denmark halves the minimum share capital for private limited companies (ApS) to DKK 20,000
From 27 February 2025, the minimum share capital for a Danish private limited company (anpartsselskab, ApS) fell from DKK 40,000 to DKK 20,000, under Act no. 1667 of 30 December 2024. Existing ApS companies can reduce their capital to the new minimum using the ordinary capital reduction rules.
- LegislationESGLegislationFilings & ReportingEU26 Feb 2025
Commission proposes Omnibus I: CSRD scope cut by about 80% and CSDDD simplified
On 26 February 2025 the European Commission proposed its first 'Omnibus' simplification package. It would take about 80% of companies out of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, delay reporting for later waves by two years, narrow due diligence under the CSDDD, and cut EU Taxonomy reporting. The Commission estimated annual savings of about €6.3 billion.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyJE24 Feb 2025
Jersey gives regulated firms access to its beneficial ownership register
From 24 February 2025, Jersey obliged entities could apply through myJFSC for access to the Obliged Entity Beneficial Owner register, which holds personal information on the beneficial owners and controllers of Jersey entities. Access is limited to customer due diligence under the Money Laundering (Jersey) Order 2008, following a 2024 amendment approved by the States Assembly.
- TaxTaxLegislationAE11 Feb 2025
UAE introduces a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large groups
On 11 February 2025 the UAE Ministry of Finance published Cabinet Decision No. 142 of 2024, which imposes a domestic minimum top-up tax on UAE entities of multinational groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million in two of the last four years. It applies for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025 and tops up their effective tax rate in the UAE to 15%. Detailed rules were published with it.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingID4 Feb 2025
Indonesia tightens beneficial owner reporting, with annual updates and access blocks
Indonesia's Minister of Law Regulation No. 2 of 2025, in force from 4 February 2025, replaces the 2019 rules on corporate beneficial owners. Every corporation, including small businesses and civil partnerships, must update its beneficial owner information at least once a year even if nothing has changed, and notaries must complete a beneficial owner questionnaire on incorporations and amendments. Sanctions include blacklisting and blocking access to the AHU online system.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyRU3 Feb 2025
Russia lets companies with a sanctioned parent hide their data in the state register
Russia's Government Decree no. 94 of 3 February 2025 widens the cases in which information about a company in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (EGRUL) can be restricted. A company can now ask for its data to be closed where a corporate founder that controls it, or has significant influence over it, is subject to foreign restrictive measures.
- LegislationRegulationData & PrivacyLegislationLUEU23 Jan 2025
Luxembourg limits access to its beneficial owner register and gives the registry sanctioning powers
Luxembourg's law of 23 January 2025, in force from 1 February 2025, amends the laws on the trade and companies register (RCS) and the register of beneficial owners (RBE) after the EU Court of Justice's 2022 ruling. Public access ends: the RBE is open to national authorities, AML-regulated professionals and people with a legitimate interest such as journalists and non-profit organisations. Luxembourg Business Registers can now check data and impose warnings, daily fines and administrative deregistration.
- RegistryGovernanceFilings & ReportingSA18 Jan 2025
Saudi companies' deadline to align their articles with the Companies Law passes
Companies in Saudi Arabia that existed before the Companies Law took effect on 19 January 2023 had until 18 January 2025 to amend their articles of association to comply. The Ministry of Commerce asked them to file amendments through the Saudi Business Center platform and waived publication fees. Companies that missed the deadline face enforcement action.
- TaxTaxLegislationFilings & ReportingBR16 Jan 2025
Brazil enacts the rules for its new consumption taxes, with a 2026 test year
Brazil's Complementary Law no. 214 of 16 January 2025 sets the rules for the new dual VAT: the federal contribution on goods and services (CBS) and the state and municipal tax on goods and services (IBS). In 2026 they are charged at test rates of 0.9% and 0.1%, offset against existing taxes, and companies must show them separately on electronic invoices. The old taxes are phased out over the following years.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationHK8 Jan 2025
Hong Kong passes law allowing treasury shares and paperless shareholder communications
Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 8 January 2025. Hong Kong-incorporated listed companies can hold bought-back shares in treasury and later resell them, and all Hong Kong companies can use an implied-consent mechanism for electronic communications with shareholders. The changes took effect on 17 April 2025.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationVG2 Jan 2025
BVI companies must file registers of members and beneficial ownership with the Registrar
Amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act, gazetted in September 2024, require BVI companies to file a copy of their register of members, nominee shareholder details and beneficial ownership information with the Registrar, through their registered agent and the VIRRGIN system. New companies file at incorporation and changes within 30 days. Existing companies had six months, extended by a further six to January 2026.
- TaxTaxBM1 Jan 2025
Bermuda's 15% corporate income tax applies to large multinational groups from 2025
Bermuda's Corporate Income Tax Act 2023 applies a 15% tax to Bermuda entities of multinational groups with annual revenue of €750 million or more, for fiscal years beginning on or after 1 January 2025. A new Corporate Income Tax Agency administers it. It was Bermuda's response to the OECD global minimum tax.
- TaxTaxLegislationJEGGIM1 Jan 2025
Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man start taxing large groups at 15%
From 1 January 2025, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man apply the OECD's 15% global minimum tax to multinational groups with annual revenue of at least EUR 750 million, for fiscal years starting on or after that date. Jersey brought in an income inclusion rule and a multinational corporate income tax, Guernsey made regulations under its income tax law, and the Isle of Man made an order later confirmed by Tynwald. The islands' 0/10 tax regimes continue for everyone else.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingKZ1 Jan 2025
Astana International Financial Centre updates its company rules: registered email, director changes, simpler strike-off
Amendments to the Astana International Financial Centre's legal entities framework took effect on 1 January 2025. AIFC companies must keep a registered email address and notify the Registrar of director changes, including residential and email addresses, and resigning directors must notify too. Non-operating companies can be struck off without a liquidator, shareholder registers must be kept in the AIFC, and the Registrar can require inconsistencies in filed documents to be fixed.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingSE1 Jan 2025
Sweden gives Bolagsverket new powers to check identities and strike out incorrect officers
Amendments to the Swedish Companies Act (aktiebolagslagen) in force from 1 January 2025 let the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) require a person filing a registration, or a registered company representative, to appear in person or by video to prove identity or authority. Bolagsverket can also remove incorrect information about a company's representatives from the register.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationIE31 Dec 2024
Ireland's CRO restarts involuntary strike-off after a year-long pause
Ireland's Companies Registration Office suspended involuntary strike-offs in February 2024 because of IT problems, after some companies were wrongly struck off in early 2024 and later restored. It restarted on a limited basis in late 2024, publishing a first notice on 31 December 2024 aimed at companies with no recorded directors, under the no-directors ground, which the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 had just reworded.
- TaxTaxLegislationKW31 Dec 2024
Kuwait replaces corporate tax with a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinationals
Kuwait's Decree-Law No. 157 of 2024, the Multinational Entity Group Tax Law issued at the end of December 2024, imposes a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax on Kuwaiti entities and permanent establishments of groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million, for fiscal years starting on or after 1 January 2025. For in-scope groups it replaces Kuwait's 15% corporate income tax and zakat. Executive regulations followed in June 2025.
- TaxTaxLegislationOM31 Dec 2024
Oman enacts a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinationals from 2025
Oman's Royal Decree No. 70/2024, issued on 31 December 2024, enacts the Supplementary Tax Law on entities of multinational groups. From 1 January 2025, Omani companies, branches and permanent establishments of groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million in two of the last four years must pay at least 15% tax on their profits through a domestic minimum top-up tax.
- TaxTaxLegislationBR27 Dec 2024
Brazil brings in a 15% minimum tax for large multinationals
Brazil's Law no. 15,079 of 27 December 2024 creates an additional social contribution on net profit (CSLL) so that multinational groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million pay an effective 15% minimum tax on Brazilian profits, from 1 January 2025. It works as a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax under the OECD rules. Brazil has not adopted the income inclusion or undertaxed profits rules.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFilings & ReportingZA27 Dec 2024
South Africa's Companies Act amendments start, with faster changes to company constitutions
Parts of South Africa's Companies Amendment Act 16 of 2024, and all of the Companies Second Amendment Act 17 of 2024, came into force on 27 December 2024. An amendment to a company's memorandum of incorporation (MOI) now takes effect ten business days after the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) receives the notice, unless the CIPC endorses or rejects it sooner. Public companies must also present social and ethics committee reports at their AGMs.
- TaxTaxLegislationTH26 Dec 2024
Thailand brings in the 15% global minimum tax from 2025
Thailand's Emergency Decree on Top-Up Tax B.E. 2567 (2024), published in the Government Gazette on 26 December 2024, applies the OECD's 15% global minimum tax to large multinational groups from 1 January 2025. It was made by emergency decree to meet the start date. Groups with Board of Investment tax privileges are particularly affected, as their incentives may now be topped up.
- TaxTaxLegislationGI23 Dec 2024
Gibraltar enacts its global minimum tax law
Gibraltar's Global Minimum Tax Act 2024 was enacted on 23 December 2024. It introduces a 15% domestic top-up tax for fiscal years starting on or after 31 December 2023, covering large multinational groups and wholly domestic groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million, and an income inclusion rule from fiscal years starting on or after 31 December 2024. Groups had to register with the Income Tax Office by 28 February 2026.
- TaxTaxLegislationESEU20 Dec 2024
Spain enacts its 15% minimum tax for large groups
Spain's Law 7/2024 of 20 December 2024, in force from 22 December 2024, creates the complementary tax (impuesto complementario) that tops up the effective tax rate of large multinational and domestic groups to 15%, for periods starting on or after 31 December 2023. It applies to groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million in two of the previous four years. Detailed rules followed in Royal Decree 252/2025 of 1 April 2025.
- RegistryGovernanceLegislationNO20 Dec 2024
Norway extends board gender balance rules to more types of company
Brønnøysundregistrene reminded businesses on 20 December 2024 that Norway's board gender balance requirements now cover more organisation types, including larger private limited companies. They are phased in from 1 January 2024 by size, measured by employees or total revenue. Boards of three to four may have at most two members of the same sex, rising to 60% for boards of nine or more, with matching rules for deputies and employee-elected members.
- RegistryRegulationData & PrivacyIM18 Dec 2024
Isle of Man opens its beneficial ownership register to regulated businesses
The Isle of Man announced on 18 December 2024 that businesses subject to its anti-money laundering codes, known as obliged entities, can access the Island's register of beneficial ownership for customer due diligence from 31 December 2024. The Beneficial Ownership (Obliged Entities Access) Order 2024 delivered a joint Crown Dependencies commitment. Access for journalists and civil society was deferred.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingSC18 Dec 2024
Seychelles requires nominators in the register of members and speeds up strike-off
Seychelles' International Business Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 (Act 19 of 2024), signed on 16 December 2024 and in force from 18 December, requires the details of anyone for whom a nominee holds shares to be entered in the register of members. Changes to registers must be filed within 30 days, former registered agents must hand over records within 30 days, and companies that do not pay annual fees are struck off after 180 days.
- LegislationLegislationESGGovernanceSIEU18 Dec 2024
Slovenia amends its Companies Act for sustainability reporting, public country-by-country reports and board gender balan
Slovenia's amendment to the Companies Act (ZGD-1M), published in Official Gazette no. 102/2024, took effect on 18 December 2024. It transposes the EU directives on sustainability reporting (CSRD), public country-by-country tax reporting, gender balance on listed company boards and adjusted size criteria. Country-by-country reports are filed electronically, usually through AJPES, and are free to view.
- TaxTaxLegislationLU11 Dec 2024
Luxembourg cuts corporate income tax to 16% from 2025
Luxembourg's Parliament voted on 11 December 2024 to cut the corporate income tax rate from 17% to 16% for companies with taxable income above EUR 200,000, and from 15% to 14% below EUR 175,000, from tax year 2025. The combined rate in Luxembourg City, including the employment fund surcharge and municipal business tax, falls from 24.94% to 23.87%. A further one-point cut is planned for 2027.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationGB9 Dec 2024
UK raises company size thresholds by about 50% from April 2025
Regulations made on 9 December 2024 raised the turnover and balance sheet thresholds that decide whether a UK company is micro, small, medium or large. A small company can now have turnover up to £15 million and a balance sheet up to £7.5 million. The new limits apply to financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2025.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyRegulationSG9 Dec 2024
Singapore's new Bizfile portal launches, exposes full NRIC numbers and brings a filing-penalty waiver
ACRA launched its new Bizfile portal on 9 December 2024, adding a contact address requirement and other data-quality features. Its People Search showed full NRIC numbers until 13 December, when ACRA disabled it and apologised. Filing problems on the new portal led ACRA to waive late-filing penalties for filings due from 9 December 2024 to 28 February 2025, which could be made up to 15 March 2025.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceFilings & ReportingIE3 Dec 2024
Ireland's new Companies Act commences: permanent virtual AGMs and new strike-off grounds
Most of Ireland's Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 commenced on 3 December 2024. Companies can now hold general meetings fully or partly by electronic means, the CRO has more grounds for involuntary strike-off, and the Corporate Enforcement Authority has new powers. The softer audit-exemption rule awaited CRO system changes in 2025.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationUS3 Dec 2024
Texas court blocks the Corporate Transparency Act nationwide weeks before the filing deadline
On 3 December 2024 a federal court in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act, weeks before the 1 January 2025 deadline for companies formed before 2024. The Fifth Circuit stayed and then reinstated the injunction in late December. On 23 January 2025 the Supreme Court stayed it pending appeal.
- TaxTaxLegislationPH28 Nov 2024
Philippines cuts tax for registered business enterprises under the CREATE MORE Act
The Philippines' CREATE MORE Act (Republic Act No. 12066) took effect on 28 November 2024. It cuts corporate income tax for registered business enterprises under the enhanced deductions regime from 25% to 20% on income from their registered projects, and keeps a 5% special corporate income tax on gross income as an alternative for qualifying enterprises. The general corporate tax rate stays at 25%.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationRegulationEU14 Nov 2024
EU Listing Act published, including rules allowing multiple-vote shares for growth-market listings
The EU Listing Act package was published in the Official Journal on 14 November 2024. It simplifies prospectus and market abuse rules for listed companies. Its multiple-vote share structures directive (2024/2810) lets companies seeking a first listing on an SME growth market or other multilateral trading facility use multiple-vote shares, with safeguards. Member states must transpose the directive by December 2026.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationRegulationGB6 Nov 2024
UK publishes guidance on the new failure to prevent fraud offence, in force from September 2025
On 6 November 2024 the UK Government published guidance on the corporate offence of failure to prevent fraud, created by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Large organisations can be criminally liable when an employee, agent or subsidiary commits fraud intended to benefit them, unless they had reasonable fraud prevention procedures. The offence took effect on 1 September 2025.
- TaxTaxLegislationPLEU6 Nov 2024
Poland enacts its 15% minimum tax law from 2025
Poland's Act of 6 November 2024 on top-up tax of constituent entities of international and domestic groups, signed on 15 November and published on 19 November 2024, took effect on 1 January 2025. It applies a domestic top-up tax, income inclusion rule and undertaxed profits rule to groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million. Groups could elect, between 1 March and 30 May 2026, to apply it from 2024.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingCN1 Nov 2024
China requires companies to file beneficial owner information
China's Measures for the Administration of Beneficial Owner Information, issued by the People's Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation, took effect on 1 November 2024. Companies, partnerships and branches of foreign companies must file their beneficial owners through the company registration system. New entities file on registration, existing entities had until 1 November 2025, and changes must be filed within 30 days.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingKE30 Oct 2024
Kenya sets a November 2024 deadline for companies to file beneficial owners
Kenya's Registrar of Companies issued Directive No. 1 of 2024 requiring private companies to file their register of beneficial owners with the Business Registration Service by 30 November 2024. A beneficial owner is an individual with at least 10% of the shares or votes, the right to appoint or remove a director, or significant influence or control. Failure to comply carries a KES 500,000 penalty plus KES 50,000 a day, and changes must be filed within 14 days.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingBR15 Oct 2024
Brazil's company tax number becomes alphanumeric for new registrations from July 2026
Brazil's Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) announced in October 2024, through Normative Instruction RFB no. 2,229/2024, that the national company registration number (CNPJ) will include letters as well as numbers for new registrations from July 2026. Existing CNPJs do not change, and both formats remain valid. Systems that store or validate CNPJs need to accept letters.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingNO1 Oct 2024
Norway opens its register of beneficial owners, with registration due by 31 July 2025
Norway's register of beneficial owners (register over reelle rettighetshavere) opened at the Brønnøysund Register Centre on 1 October 2024. Most companies and other legal entities had until 31 July 2025 to register who ultimately owns or controls them. After that, Brønnøysund began issuing daily coercive fines to those that had not registered.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGB30 Sep 2024
Companies House starts imposing financial penalties of up to £10,000
On 30 September 2024 Companies House said it would begin using its new power to impose financial penalties for offences under the Companies Act, such as failing to file a confirmation statement on time. Penalties can be up to £10,000 per offence. More serious cases can lead to director disqualification or prosecution, working with the Insolvency Service.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingIN30 Sep 2024
India: larger private companies must hold all securities in demat form
Under rule 9B of the Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules 2014, inserted in October 2023, Indian private companies that are not small companies had to issue securities only in dematerialised form and dematerialise existing holdings. The deadline was 18 months after the financial year end, 30 September 2024 for most. The MCA later extended it to 30 June 2025.
- RegulatorFilings & ReportingRegulationData & PrivacyUS27 Sep 2024
SEC adopts EDGAR Next: individual logins and account administrators for every filer
On 27 September 2024 the SEC adopted EDGAR Next. Everyone filing on EDGAR must use an individual Login.gov account with multi-factor authentication, and each filer must authorise at least two account administrators who confirm annually who may file. Compliance was required from 15 September 2025.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingTaxDE26 Sep 2024
Germany cuts the retention period for accounting vouchers from ten years to eight
Germany's Fourth Bureaucracy Relief Act (BEG IV), passed by the Bundestag in September 2024, shortens the retention period for accounting vouchers (Buchungsbelege) under commercial and tax law from ten years to eight. Books, inventories, annual financial statements and management reports must still be kept for ten years.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationLegislationFI18 Sep 2024
Finland pauses removing companies from the Trade Register and plans a route back for those removed
On 18 September 2024 the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) suspended removals from the Trade Register while the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment drafted legislation. The law would let companies removed since 2023 for failing to file financial statements or beneficial owner details apply to be reinstated. The amendment took effect on 1 January 2025.
- LegislationESGFilings & ReportingLegislationAU9 Sep 2024
Australia legislates mandatory climate reporting, starting with the largest companies in 2025
Australia's Parliament passed mandatory climate-related financial disclosure on 9 September 2024, with Royal Assent on 17 September. Large entities must add a sustainability report with a climate statement to their annual reports. The largest begin with financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025, a second group from 1 July 2026 and a third from 1 July 2027.
- TaxTaxLegislationCH4 Sep 2024
Switzerland adds the income inclusion rule to its minimum tax from 2025
On 4 September 2024 Switzerland's Federal Council decided to bring the income inclusion rule (IIR), the international supplementary tax under Pillar Two, into force on 1 January 2025. Swiss parent companies of large groups pay top-up tax where their foreign subsidiaries are taxed below 15%. Switzerland is not applying the undertaxed profits rule for now.
- TaxTaxLegislationBH1 Sep 2024
Bahrain brings in a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large multinationals from 2025
Bahrain's Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024, published on 1 September 2024, imposes a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax on Bahraini entities of multinational groups with revenue above EUR 750 million in two of the last four years, for fiscal years starting on or after 1 January 2025. It was the first such tax in the Gulf. Bahrain has no general corporate income tax for other businesses.
- LegislationGovernanceRegulationLegislationCL1 Sep 2024
Chile's economic crimes law widens corporate criminal liability from September 2024
From 1 September 2024 the changes made by Chile's Economic Crimes Law (Law 21.595) to the corporate criminal liability law (Law 20.393) apply. Companies can be criminally liable for more than 200 offences, face higher fines and, for the most serious, closure. A company is liable where it had no crime prevention model, or one that was not effectively implemented, so an effective model is now the main defence.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingUA1 Sep 2024
Ukraine: regulated firms must report beneficial ownership discrepancies, and the register flags them
From 1 September 2024, Ukrainian financial monitoring entities such as banks, auditors, accountants and notaries must report to the Ministry of Justice any mismatch between a company's beneficial ownership and ownership structure data in the Unified State Register and what they find in due diligence. The registrar then marks the entry as potentially unreliable and asks the company to explain. Fines for missing updates are suspended during martial law.
- TaxTaxLegislationTR2 Aug 2024
Türkiye adopts a 10% domestic minimum corporate tax and the global minimum tax
Türkiye's Law no. 7524, published on 2 August 2024, introduces a domestic minimum corporate tax: companies pay the higher of normal corporate tax and 10% of profit before most deductions and exemptions, from 2025 profits. The same law brings in the OECD's 15% global minimum tax for large groups from fiscal years starting on 1 January 2024, with the undertaxed profits rule from 2025.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingCL1 Aug 2024
Chile's Senate starts work on a beneficial owner register run by the tax service
In August 2024 the finance committee of Chile's Senate began its review of the Government's bill to create a register of beneficial owners, filed in December 2023 and fast-tracked by agreement with Congress. The Internal Revenue Service (SII) would run the register, covering companies, non-profit entities, investment funds and other entities, and Chilean residents involved in trusts. The bill had not passed by the end of 2025.
- LegislationGovernanceESGLegislationESEU1 Aug 2024
Spain requires 40% of listed company boards to be women or men
Spain's Organic Law 2/2024 of 1 August 2024 on equal representation, in force from 22 August 2024, requires the boards of listed companies to include at least 40% of the under-represented sex. The 35 largest listed companies must comply by 30 June 2026 and other listed companies by 30 June 2027. Large public-interest entities must reach 33% by 30 June 2026 and 40% by 2029, and breaches are a serious infringement under the securities law.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationNZ1 Aug 2024
New Zealand plans to modernise its Companies Act, with director identifiers
In August 2024 New Zealand's Government announced a two-phase reform of the Companies Act 1993. Phase one would modernise the Act and simplify compliance, give directors and general partners of limited partnerships a unique identifier to tackle phoenixing, and let directors and shareholders show an address for service instead of a home address. Phase two is a Law Commission review of directors' duties and liability.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingKY31 Jul 2024
Cayman's new beneficial ownership law brings partnerships in and removes most exemptions
The Cayman Islands' Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023 came into force on 31 July 2024, replacing the earlier beneficial ownership rules with a single Act. Exempted limited partnerships and limited partnerships are covered for the first time, and many previously exempt entities must now identify their registrable beneficial owners. Corporate service providers file the information with the Registry at least monthly, and enforcement began in January 2025.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyAR19 Jul 2024
Argentina launches a central beneficial owner register
Argentina's federal tax authority (then AFIP, now ARCA) set up the Centralised Public Register of Beneficial Owners by General Resolution 5529/2024, in force from 19 July 2024. A beneficial owner is an individual holding at least 10% of the capital or votes of an entity, or exercising final control by other means. The register draws on existing reporting regimes. Access is limited to authorities and, for their own data, the entities and individuals concerned.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationRegulationGB17 Jul 2024
King's Speech promises a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill to replace the FRC
The King's Speech on 17 July 2024 included a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill. The new Government said it would replace the Financial Reporting Council with a statutory regulator, the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority, with powers over financial reporting and accountability for directors of large companies.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationUS17 Jul 2024
Delaware amends its corporation law to validate stockholder governance agreements
Delaware's Governor signed Senate Bill 313 on 17 July 2024, amending the General Corporation Law. The main change is a new section 122(18), which lets a corporation enter into governance agreements with stockholders that limit the board's discretion, without putting those terms in the certificate of incorporation. It responded to the Court of Chancery's Moelis decision.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingAR16 Jul 2024
Buenos Aires registry overhauls its rules and drops annual reports for foreign companies
Argentina's Inspección General de Justicia (IGJ), which registers companies in the City of Buenos Aires, adopted General Resolution 15/2024 on 16 July 2024, replacing its 2015 rules from 1 November 2024. It drops several registration requirements for foreign companies, scraps their annual information filings, simplifies the cancellation of inactive companies and sets mandatory processing deadlines. The IGJ described it as a first step in applying the Bases Law (Law 27,742).
- TaxTaxLegislationRU12 Jul 2024
Russia raises corporate profit tax to 25% from 2025
Russia's Federal Law no. 176-FZ of 12 July 2024 raises the general corporate profit tax rate from 20% to 25% for income received from 1 January 2025. The federal share rises to 8% for 2025 to 2030 and the regional share stays at 17%. Accredited IT companies pay 5% instead of 0% for 2025 to 2030.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationGovernanceSG2 Jul 2024
Singapore passes laws on corporate service providers, nominee directors and beneficial ownership
Singapore's Parliament passed the Corporate Service Providers Bill and the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill on 2 July 2024. All Singapore corporate service providers must register with ACRA, nominee directors must be arranged through a registered CSP, nominee directors and shareholders are flagged on the public register, and register-keeping penalties rise to S$25,000.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFilings & ReportingCN1 Jul 2024
China's revised Company Law takes effect, with a five-year limit to pay in capital
China's revised Company Law took effect on 1 July 2024. Shareholders of a limited liability company must pay their subscribed capital in full within five years of incorporation. Under State Council provisions issued the same day, companies formed before then whose remaining payment period runs more than five years beyond 1 July 2027 must shorten it by 30 June 2027, so that capital is paid by 30 June 2032 at the latest.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingRegulationCY1 Jul 2024
Cyprus Registrar of Companies gets powers to correct its records
An amendment to the Cyprus Companies Law (Law 101(I)/2024) in July 2024 lets the Registrar of Companies correct, delete or add information in its registers so that they are accurate and current, and ask companies periodically to confirm or update their data within a set time. Earlier in 2024, Parliament lowered the maximum penalty for late annual returns from EUR 500 to EUR 150. A further amendment in late 2025 (Law 155(I)/2025) simplified restoring struck-off companies.
- TaxTaxGI1 Jul 2024
Gibraltar raises corporation tax to 15% from July 2024
Gibraltar announced in its Budget on 1 July 2024 that the standard corporation tax rate would rise from 12.5% to 15%, in line with the OECD global minimum rate. The Rates of Tax (Amendment) Rules 2024, gazetted on 10 December 2024, apply the new rate from 1 July 2024, with profits for an accounting period that straddles that date apportioned by days.
- RegulatorRegulationMC28 Jun 2024
FATF puts Monaco under increased monitoring
At its June 2024 plenary the Financial Action Task Force added Monaco to its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (the 'grey list'), after MONEYVAL's evaluation. Banks and other regulated firms in many countries must apply enhanced due diligence to Monaco links. Monaco committed to an action plan, and in June 2026 the FATF found it substantially complete.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingLegislationNO28 Jun 2024
Norway: company form must come last in company names, and NUF branches must update names by July 2026
From 1 July 2024, amendments to Norway's Business Names Act require entities in the Register of Business Enterprises (other than sole proprietorships and associations) to put their company-form designation at the end of their name. Norwegian branches of foreign companies (NUF) must use the parent's name with its foreign designation followed by 'NUF', and all NUFs had until 1 July 2026 to comply. Sole proprietorships no longer have to register.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFR13 Jun 2024
France's attractiveness law eases remote general meetings and allows multiple-vote shares
France's Law no. 2024-537 of 13 June 2024 on financing companies and France's attractiveness makes it easier for French companies to hold shareholder and board meetings remotely, and lets companies issue multiple-voting-right preference shares so founders can raise capital without losing control. It also authorised the Government to reform the rules on nullity in company law by ordinance.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationEU30 May 2024
EU formally adopts its anti-money laundering package and creates AMLA
The Council of the EU adopted the anti-money laundering package on 30 May 2024, after Parliament's vote on 24 April. It comprises the single rulebook regulation (2024/1624), the sixth AML directive (2024/1640) and the regulation creating the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (2024/1620). The acts were published on 19 June 2024 and most rules apply from July 2027.
- LegislationESGFilings & ReportingLegislationSEEU29 May 2024
Sweden adopts new sustainability reporting rules to implement the CSRD
The Swedish Riksdag approved new sustainability reporting rules on 29 May 2024, implementing the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in the Annual Accounts Act (årsredovisningslagen). The changes took effect on 1 July 2024 and first apply to the financial year beginning after the end of June 2024. That start is later than the directive requires and drew criticism from the European Commission.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationFilings & ReportingTR29 May 2024
Türkiye gives existing companies until end-2026 to meet higher minimum capital
Türkiye's Law no. 7511, published on 29 May 2024, amends the Turkish Commercial Code. Companies set up before 1 January 2024 must raise their capital to the new minimums, TRY 250,000 for a joint stock company and TRY 50,000 for a limited company, by 31 December 2026 or be dissolved. The law also lets the board chair and vice-chair serve for the board's full term.
- TaxTaxLegislationBB24 May 2024
Barbados enacts a 15% domestic minimum top-up tax for large groups
Barbados' Corporation Top-up Tax Act 2024 (Act 2024-16), published in the Official Gazette on 24 May 2024, applies a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax to Barbados entities of multinational groups with revenue of at least EUR 750 million, for fiscal years beginning on or after 31 December 2023. For the first year it applies only where the group is subject to an income inclusion or undertaxed profits rule elsewhere.
- LegislationESGGovernanceLegislationEU24 May 2024
EU adopts the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The Council gave final approval to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on 24 May 2024, after Parliament's vote on 24 April. Large EU and non-EU companies must identify and address human rights and environmental harms in their operations and chains of activities, and adopt a climate transition plan. It was published as Directive (EU) 2024/1760 on 5 July 2024.
- LegislationESGFilings & ReportingLegislationDKEU22 May 2024
Denmark adopts CSRD law and raises annual-accounts size thresholds by about 25%
Denmark's Act no. 480 of 22 May 2024 implements the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and raises the size thresholds in the Danish Financial Statements Act (årsregnskabsloven). The higher thresholds apply to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2023, so more companies fall into lighter reporting classes. Sustainability reporting is phased in from 2024.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingData & PrivacyIT17 May 2024
Italy's beneficial ownership register is suspended pending an EU court ruling
Italy's Council of State suspended the operation of the beneficial ownership register (Registro dei titolari effettivi) by order of 17 May 2024 and, by order of 15 October 2024, referred questions on the register to the Court of Justice of the EU. Obligations to report beneficial owners to the business register were on hold while the case continued.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationDEEU17 Apr 2024
Germany raises company size thresholds by about 25%, applying to 2023 accounts
An amendment to the German Commercial Code (HGB) in force from 17 April 2024 raised the money thresholds for company size classes by about 25%, implementing the EU's 2023 size-criteria directive. Companies could apply the new thresholds already for their 2023 accounts. The Government estimated about 52,000 companies would move into a smaller class.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingMY1 Apr 2024
Malaysian companies must report their beneficial owners to SSM
Malaysia's Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 brought in a beneficial ownership reporting framework from 1 April 2024. Companies must keep a register of beneficial owners, lodge it with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) through its e-BOS system, and lodge changes within 14 days. Anyone owning at least 20% of shares, or with significant control, is a beneficial owner. Existing companies had until 30 June 2024 to lodge.
- ReportingFilings & ReportingRegulationGBIE27 Mar 2024
FRC updates FRS 102 for UK and Irish companies: new lease and revenue rules from 2026
On 27 March 2024 the FRC issued the periodic review amendments to the UK and Ireland accounting standards, including FRS 102. They bring lease accounting and revenue recognition closer to IFRS and mostly apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. The FRC estimates the standards are used by about 3.4 million businesses.
- LegislationFilings & ReportingLegislationRegulationGB22 Mar 2024
UK plans to raise company size thresholds by about 50% and trim directors' report duties
In March 2024 the UK Government completed the first phase of its non-financial reporting review. It planned to raise the money thresholds for company size categories by about 50%, remove duplicated and outdated directors' report requirements, and simplify remuneration reporting. The FRC welcomed the plans on 22 March 2024.
- LegislationESGGovernanceLegislationEU15 Mar 2024
EU member states back the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive with narrower scope
On 15 March 2024 EU ambassadors endorsed a revised Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive after earlier votes stalled. The compromise covered EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million worldwide turnover, dropped the lower thresholds for high-risk sectors, and phased obligations in from 2027 to 2029 by company size.
- LegislationLegislationGovernanceFilings & ReportingIE15 Mar 2024
Ireland publishes plans for virtual AGMs and a softer audit-exemption rule
On 15 March 2024 Ireland published the General Scheme of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024. It proposed permanent fully virtual general meetings. It also proposed a graduated regime to replace the automatic loss of audit exemption after a first late filing with the CRO, plus new enforcement tools for the CEA, CRO and IAASA.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingGovernanceEU13 Mar 2024
EU deal on digital company law: an EU Company Certificate and a digital power of attorney
On 13 March 2024 the Council and Parliament agreed to extend digital tools in EU company law. The deal creates a free EU Company Certificate and a multilingual digital EU power of attorney, makes more company data available through the business registers interconnection system, and means companies do not have to resubmit information already held by another EU register.
- TaxTaxFilings & ReportingHK6 Mar 2024
Hong Kong raises business registration fees and waives the levy for two years
Hong Kong announced on 6 March 2024 that the annual business registration fee would rise by HK$200 to HK$2,200 from 1 April 2024, with branch fees up 10%. To offset the rise, the HK$150 levy for the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund was waived for two years from the same date.
- RegulatorESGFilings & ReportingRegulationUS6 Mar 2024
SEC adopts climate disclosure rules for US public companies, then pauses them
On 6 March 2024 the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to disclose material climate-related risks, board oversight and certain financial statement effects. Larger filers also had to disclose material Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Legal challenges followed, and the SEC stayed the rules in April 2024 before they took effect. They never came into force.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationIT5 Mar 2024
Italy's capital markets law raises multiple-vote shares to ten votes
Italy's Law no. 21 of 5 March 2024, known as the Legge Capitali, reforms the rules for raising capital and running general meetings. From 27 March 2024, a multiple-vote share in an Italian joint-stock company (SpA) can carry up to ten votes instead of three, and listed companies can extend loyalty shares to up to ten votes. Listed companies can also hold general meetings with attendance and voting only through a representative the company designates.
- RegistryRegulationLegislationFilings & ReportingGB4 Mar 2024
Companies House begins using its first ECCTA powers on 4 March 2024
The first measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 came into force on 4 March 2024. Companies House can now query filings and ask for evidence, and it checks company names more strictly. Every company needs an appropriate registered office and a registered email address, and must confirm it has a lawful purpose.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationUS1 Mar 2024
Alabama court rules the Corporate Transparency Act unconstitutional, but only for the plaintiffs
On 1 March 2024 a federal court in Alabama held that the Corporate Transparency Act exceeds Congress's constitutional powers, in National Small Business United v. Yellen. FinCEN said it would not enforce the Act against the named plaintiffs and NSBA members as of that date. Every other reporting company still had to file. The government appealed on 11 March.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingGB19 Feb 2024
Companies House fees rise from 1 May 2024 to fund new enforcement
On 19 February 2024 Companies House announced higher fees from 1 May 2024. The online confirmation statement fee went from £13 to £34 and online incorporation to £50. The fees regulations say the increases also fund the registrar's new investigation and enforcement work under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
- LegislationESGFilings & ReportingLegislationEU7 Feb 2024
EU delays sector-specific sustainability reporting standards by two years
On 7 February 2024 the Council and Parliament agreed to move the deadline for sector-specific European Sustainability Reporting Standards, and for the standards for certain non-EU companies, from June 2024 to June 2026. Companies already in scope of the CSRD still had to report under the general standards adopted in July 2023.
- RegistryRegulationFilings & ReportingLegislationCA22 Jan 2024
Canada: CBCA corporations must now file significant-control information, some of it public
From 22 January 2024, corporations under the Canada Business Corporations Act must file information on their individuals with significant control with Corporations Canada, and some of it is searchable by the public. Filings are due with each annual return, within 15 days of a change to the ISC register, and on incorporation, amalgamation or continuance.
- ReportingGovernanceRegulationGB22 Jan 2024
FRC publishes the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024, centred on internal controls
On 22 January 2024 the Financial Reporting Council published a revised UK Corporate Governance Code. The main change is a new board declaration on the effectiveness of material internal controls (Provision 29), applying from 1 January 2026. The rest of the Code applies to periods from 1 January 2025. Comply or explain remains.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingCO19 Jan 2024
Colombia's companies regulator gets access to the beneficial owner register
Colombia's Superintendence of Companies (Supersociedades) and the tax authority (DIAN) signed an agreement in 2024 giving Supersociedades access to the Single Register of Beneficial Owners (RUB). Supersociedades can now use the data to investigate control and business-group situations. Colombian companies must report beneficial owners holding 5% or more to the RUB, and update it in January, April, July or October when anything changes.
- LegislationRegulationLegislationEU18 Jan 2024
EU agrees anti-money laundering package, including wider access to beneficial ownership registers
On 18 January 2024 the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional deal on the EU's anti-money laundering package. The sixth AML directive requires accurate, current beneficial ownership data in national registers linked at EU level. Authorities get direct access, and people with a legitimate interest, including journalists and civil society, get access too.
- LegislationGovernanceLegislationAT1 Jan 2024
Austria creates the FlexCo and cuts GmbH minimum capital to EUR 10,000
Austria's Company Law Amendment Act 2023 (GesRÄG 2023) came into force on 1 January 2024. It creates the Flexible Company (FlexCo), a new limited company form with features of a GmbH and a stock corporation, including non-voting 'company value shares' for employees. It also cuts the minimum share capital of a GmbH from EUR 35,000 to EUR 10,000, the same as for a FlexCo.
- TaxTaxLegislationCH1 Jan 2024
Switzerland's 15% minimum tax for large groups takes effect
Switzerland's national supplementary tax, a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax under the OECD's Pillar Two rules, took effect on 1 January 2024. It tops up the tax of Swiss entities of groups with consolidated revenue of at least EUR 750 million to an effective 15%. The Federal Council adopted the Minimum Tax Ordinance on 22 December 2023 under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in June 2023.
- LegislationLegislationFilings & ReportingDE1 Jan 2024
Germany's partnership law reform takes effect, with a new register for civil-law partnerships
Germany's Act to Modernise Partnership Law (MoPeG) took effect on 1 January 2024. It creates a register for civil-law partnerships (Gesellschaftsregister). Registration is optional but required for key transactions such as buying land, and registered partnerships must use the suffix 'eGbR'. Partnerships already in the commercial register as a KG or OHG register there first.
- RegistryFilings & ReportingGovernanceNLEU1 Jan 2024
Dutch private companies can be incorporated online from 2024
From 1 January 2024 a Dutch private limited company (BV) can be incorporated online, under the Act on the Online Incorporation of Private Limited Companies implementing the EU Digitalisation Directive (2019/1151). Founders resident or incorporated in the EU sign the notarial deed by video with the notary using a high-assurance electronic ID, and the deed and articles can be entirely in English. Capital must be paid in cash.
- ReportingGovernanceESGSE1 Jan 2024
Revised Swedish Corporate Governance Code takes effect, requiring physical AGMs for listed companies
A revised Swedish Corporate Governance Code (Svensk kod för bolagsstyrning) took effect on 1 January 2024. Listed companies must always hold a physical general meeting, though they may also offer remote participation. New sustainability reporting provisions follow the transition timetable of Sweden's CSRD legislation.
- RegulatorRegulationFilings & ReportingUS1 Jan 2024
US beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act opens
FinCEN began accepting beneficial ownership information reports under the Corporate Transparency Act on 1 January 2024. Companies formed before 2024 had until 1 January 2025 to file, and companies formed during 2024 had 90 days from formation. US companies were later exempted entirely, and this entry records the regime as it began.