The Registrar-General’s Department has announced it has extended the deadline for filing of annual returns and renewal of partnerships from July 31 to December 31, 2020.

The change affects “all companies limited by shares, by guarantee, including Churches, associations and external companies.”

“There will also not be any penalty increase from GH¢400.00 to GH¢450.00 from 3rd August, 2020 as initially communicated,” a statement from the Department said.

In a bid to enforce Covid-19 preventive protocols, the statement said the department is introducing “a coupon system for all our services offered at the Front Office by serving only 200 clients daily effective Wednesday July 15.”

“Our officers will issue coupons to clients on first – come – first - served basis daily throughout the working hours of 8 am to 4pm. If for any reason one is not served on a particular day within the first 200 numbers, they can come over the next day with their ticket number to be served.”

The statement also cautioned that the department has not authorised any person to demand mobile money payment for either filing of Annual Returns or Renewal of Businesses.

“The Registrar-General’s Department does not have a Mobile Money Account Number.

"The Department has not appointed any registration agents to visit Offices and homes to enforce compliance. There is no Cancellation Unit at RGD mandated to call clients to file Returns,” the statement said.

It added: “Renewal fee for Business Names is GH¢25 for each year. This service does not attract any penalty and Filing of Annual Returns for all Companies attract a fee of GH¢50.”