Corporate tax compliance in Nepal comes with a stricter set of rules than individual filing — a firm audit requirement, a shorter default deadline, and extra obligations for publicly listed companies. This guide covers the complete corporate tax return process for FY 2082/83, from the standard Ashwin-end deadline through to the presumptive tax scheme available to smaller businesses. For every other deadline in the fiscal year, bookmark our complete Nepal Tax Calendar for FY 2082/83.
Standard Deadline: Three Months After Fiscal Year End
Registered companies and business entities must file their annual income tax return within three months of the fiscal year closing — meaning the standard deadline for FY 2082/83 falls at the end of Ashwin. This gives companies a compressed window to complete their audit, finalize accounts, and submit the return compared to the longer runway individuals get.
Extension Rules: Up to Three Additional Months
Companies that cannot complete their audit or finalize accounts in time can request an extension of up to three additional months, pushing the final deadline to the end of Poush. This extension is not automatic — it requires a formal written application to the IRD submitted before the original Ashwin-end deadline lapses. Waiting until after the deadline to request more time forfeits the option entirely and exposes the company to late-filing penalties from day one.
Required Forms and Documents
Corporate filers submit their return using Form 02 or Form 03, depending on entity type and the nature of income, accompanied by a complete set of supporting documents. At minimum, the filing package should include the audited balance sheet, profit and loss statement, cash flow statement, and a schedule of advance tax instalments already paid during the year, so the final balance due is calculated correctly.
Audit Requirement Before Filing
Unlike the individual return, a corporate filing cannot proceed without a statutory audit completed by a licensed auditor registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal. The audited financial statements form the backbone of the tax computation, and the IRD will reject a return submitted without them. Companies should engage their auditor well ahead of the Ashwin-end deadline, since audit season overlaps across most Nepali businesses at the same time of year, and last-minute bookings often mean longer turnaround times.
Extra Requirement for Public Companies: Post-AGM Filing
Publicly listed companies carry an additional obligation beyond the standard tax return. Once financial statements are approved at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the company must file the AGM-approved accounts with the Office of Company Registrar within 30 days of the meeting date. This filing is separate from — and in addition to — the income tax return submitted to the IRD, and missing it carries its own set of penalties under company law, independent of tax penalties.
Penalties for Late Corporate Filing
Corporate late-filing penalties stack in the same way as individual penalties, but the amounts involved are typically far larger given higher revenue and tax liability. A fixed late-filing fee applies immediately once the deadline passes, and 15% annual interest accrues on any unpaid tax balance from the original due date until payment is made. Because corporate tax bills are often many times larger than an individual's, even a few months of delay can translate into a substantial and entirely avoidable cost.
Small Business and Presumptive Tax Scheme Deadlines
Not every business files under the standard corporate framework. Sole proprietors and small businesses below a specified turnover threshold can opt into Nepal's presumptive tax scheme, which simplifies both the computation and the filing deadline.
Because the presumptive scheme deadline aligns with the individual filing deadline at Poush end rather than the corporate Ashwin-end date, small business owners should double-check which scheme they are registered under before assuming either deadline applies to them by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard corporate tax filing deadline in Nepal?
The end of Ashwin, three months after the fiscal year closes at Ashadh end.
Is an audit mandatory for all companies?
Yes, a statutory audit by a licensed auditor is required before a corporate tax return can be filed, regardless of company size.
How long can the corporate deadline be extended?
Up to three additional months, moving the final deadline to Poush end, provided a written extension request is filed before the original deadline.
Do small businesses need an audit under the presumptive scheme?
No, the presumptive tax scheme does not require an audit and uses a simplified flat-rate computation instead.
Corporate Filing Checklist
Before the Ashwin-end deadline arrives, confirm: audit engaged and completed, Form 02/03 prepared, advance tax instalments reconciled, supporting financial statements attached, and — for public companies — the AGM scheduled with enough runway to file within 30 days afterward. For the complete picture of every other deadline your business needs to track this year, revisit our Nepal Tax Calendar for FY 2082/83.
Discussion