SEC tells firms: File annual reports early

The Securities and Exchange Commission urged companies to file their annual reports early or way ahead of the April 18 to May 20 filing period.

SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa said companies could file at the head office in Ortigas or at SEC’s extension and satellite offices. Companies may also file reports by courier via the SEC Express nationwide submission.

“I am appealing to all companies to file their annual reports early and not wait for the last day,” Herbosa said.

The SEC has already released the guidelines for the filing of annual audited financial statements (AFS) and General Information Sheet as required by the Corporation Code and the Securities Regulation Code.

All corporations may file their reports regardless of the last numerical digit of their registration or license number before April 18.

Meanwhile, all corporations, including branch offices, representative offices, regional headquarters and regional operating headquarters of foreign corporations, would file their AFS depending on the last numerical digit of their SEC registration or license number.

Under the guidelines, corporations whose SEC registration ends in 1 and 2 would file their reports from April 18 to 22, those ending in 3 and 4 (April 25 to 29), those ending in 5 and 6 (May 2 to 6), those ending in 7 and 8 (May 10 to 13) and those ending in 9 and 10 (May 16 to 20).

Late filings would be subjected to the prescribed penalties, the SEC said.

All corporations may file their reports at the SEC head office along EDSA Ortigas, all SEC satellite offices in Robinsons Galleria, Ali Mall-Cubao, SM Manila, and SM North EDSA.

The SEC also has offices in Baguio City, Tarlac City, Legaspi City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and Zamboanga City.