Alberta Annual Return: Filed via CORES in 1 Business Day

Deadline coming up? File your Alberta annual return in 1 business day → · $159 all-in, filed through CORES by a Certified Registry Agent — no CORES account required.

Alberta corporations incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (ABCA) must file an annual return every year with the Alberta Corporate Registry to maintain their good standing. Alberta has one of the shortest filing windows in Canada — annual returns are due within just one month of the corporation's anniversary date. This guide covers the rules, deadlines, fees, forms, and late-filing consequences — with a jump-off point to file when you're ready.

What Is an Alberta Annual Return?

An Alberta annual return is a statutory filing that confirms your corporation's continued existence, updates director and address information on the registry, and keeps your corporation in active good standing under Alberta law.

When Is the Alberta Annual Return Due?

Alberta annual returns are due within 1 month of your corporation's anniversary date. The anniversary date is the date the corporation was originally incorporated. This is a strict deadline — Alberta's 1-month window is the shortest of any Canadian jurisdiction.

For example: if your corporation was incorporated on July 22, your annual return is due by August 22 every year.

Who Must File?

All corporations incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) must file, including:

• Active operating corporations
• Holding companies
• Non-operating or dormant corporations
• Corporations with no employees and no revenue

What Information Is Required?

An Alberta annual return requires:

• Full legal name of the corporation
• Alberta Corporate Access Number (CAN)
• Registered office and records address (must be in Alberta)
• Names and addresses of all current directors and officers
• Designated officer designation (if applicable)

How to file an Alberta annual return through CORES

Alberta annual returns are filed through the Alberta Corporate Registry using the CORES portal (Corporate Registry Online filing), accessible through alberta.ca. Alberta does not offer direct public filing outside of CORES — you either use CORES yourself or file through an authorized service provider like CRS.

Steps to file your Alberta annual return:

1. Access CORES Online (Corporate Registry Online filing)
2. Search for your corporation using your Corporate Access Number
3. Select "File Annual Return" from your corporation's profile
4. Confirm or update director and address information
5. Pay the government filing fee
6. Receive confirmation of filing

Prefer to skip CORES entirely? CRS files your Alberta annual return directly with the Alberta Corporate Registry on your behalf — start on our fast-file page.

How much is the Alberta annual return fee? (CORES fee)

Service Alberta sets the government filing fee for an Alberta corporate annual return, payable at the time of filing; it was increased on 2 July 2026, and registry agents add their own service fee on top. Because CRS quotes one all-in price — $159 + GST, government fee and professional preparation included — a change to the registry's schedule doesn't change what you pay. There is no volume discount for filing multiple corporations at once.

Alberta's Strict 1-Month Deadline

The 1-month deadline is often overlooked by Alberta corporations, particularly those that have relocated their registered office or changed directors without updating the registry. Since CRS monitors your anniversary date and files well in advance of the deadline, you eliminate the risk of late filing entirely.

Can I file my Alberta annual return in Calgary or Edmonton?

Yes — and the answer is the same wherever in Alberta your corporation is based, because alberta.ca is explicit that there is no direct government filing channel: "You must submit an annual return to an authorized Corporate Registry service provider." That rule applies identically in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge or Strathmore.

That leaves two ways to file with the Alberta Corporate Registry:

1. Walk into a registry office. Every Alberta city has authorized registry agents; bring the annual return form, valid ID and payment. The government fee plus that office's service charge applies, and you make the trip every year.
2. File remotely through CRS. As a Certified CORES Registry Agent we file electronically with the Alberta Corporate Registry from anywhere — no office visit, no CORES account, $159 + GST all-in, done in 1 business day. Your registry confirmation arrives by email.

Corporations in Calgary and Edmonton use the remote route for the same reason rural corporations do: the filing is identical in the registry's system either way, so the only difference is whether you spend the time.

Director Residency Requirements

Alberta corporations have no Canadian residency requirement for directors. All directors may be non-Canadian residents, making Alberta a popular jurisdiction for incorporation by international entrepreneurs. (Starting a new one? See how to incorporate in Alberta.)

Annual returns for Alberta societies and non-profits

Alberta societies (registered under the Societies Act) and non-profit corporations must also file annual returns — but under different statutes and with slightly different information requirements. Alberta societies file annually with the Alberta Corporate Registry, disclosing directors, registered office, and (for non-profits) a summary of activities. Societies file their annual return directly with Corporate Registry on form REG3185 rather than through a registry agent, and on a different deadline — the last day of the month following the society's anniversary month. If you need a society or non-profit return filed, contact us and say so: it is a different process from a corporate annual return, and we will confirm the current fee and what has to accompany the filing before you pay anything.

What happens if my Alberta annual return is late?

Alberta is strict about annual return compliance. Missing the 1-month deadline results in:

1. The corporation entering non-compliance status on the registry
2. A notice from the registry warning of potential dissolution
3. Administrative dissolution if the filing remains outstanding
4. A revival application required to restore the corporation (additional fees and processing time apply)

Note: Alberta corporate annual returns are separate from GST returns (filed with CRA) and T2 corporate income tax returns (also with CRA). Late CORES filing does not directly trigger CRA penalties — but a dissolved corporation cannot legally operate, which cascades into GST/T2 compliance problems very quickly. If you have late CORES and late GST filings, address the CORES filing first — you cannot file GST on a corporation the registry has dissolved.

Setting up a second company, or helping someone start out? See how to register a business in Alberta.

File Your Alberta Annual Return Through a CORES Certified Registry Agent

CRS is a Certified Registry Agent authorized to file directly through CORES on your behalf. You don't need a CORES account, and you don't need to navigate the Alberta Corporate Registry yourself — we prepare the return, file it before your deadline, and email you the registry confirmation.

Turnaround: 1 business day from order. Price: $159 + applicable tax — all-in, including the government fee.

File your Alberta annual return now →