Cyprus corporate tax deadlines and provisional tax in 2026

The tax reform enacted on 31 December 2025 changed both the rate of Cyprus corporate income tax and the calendar that companies work to. From the 2026 tax year the rate is 15%, the return is due earlier than before and the final balancing payment has moved to the same date as the return.

Companies that were incorporated recently, following the steps in our guide on how to set up a company in Cyprus, will meet these dates for the first time in 2026. This article sets out the timetable as published by the Tax Department and the Ministry of Finance as of October 2026.

What changed with the 2026 reform

The reform legislation was published in the Official Gazette on 31 December 2025, and most changes apply from 1 January 2026. For companies, the headline changes are:

• the corporate income tax rate increased from 12.5% to 15%;
• the deemed dividend distribution rules were abolished for profits generated after 31 December 2025;
• passive interest and rental income are no longer subject to defence contribution and are taxed under income tax only;
• the definition of a tax-resident company was widened to include an incorporation test, unless a double tax treaty provides otherwise;
• stamp duty was abolished from 1 January 2026.

The changes for individual shareholders, including the treatment of dividends for non-domiciled residents, are covered in our article on non-dom status after the 2026 tax reform.

The provisional tax instalments

A company estimates its taxable income for the current year and pays provisional tax in two equal instalments, on 31 July and 31 December of that year. The estimate is submitted through the Tax Department’s systems and can be revised before the second instalment if the year turns out differently from the original forecast.

Estimating carefully matters. A company that underestimates may face additional charges when the final position is known, while a large overestimate ties up cash. Many companies review their estimate in the autumn, once management accounts for the first nine months are available.

If you would like support preparing provisional tax estimates and the annual return, our tax registration and filing service explains how we work with your auditors.

The annual return and final payment

The reform shortened the time for filing the annual corporate income tax return (form TD4). From the 2026 tax year, the return is due 13 months after the end of the tax year, rather than 15 months.

Tax year	Provisional tax	Return deadline	Final payment

|—|—|—|—|

2025	31 July and 31 December 2025	31 March 2027	1 August 2026
2026	31 July and 31 December 2026	31 January 2028	31 January 2028
2027	31 July and 31 December 2027	31 January 2029	31 January 2029

The final balancing payment is calculated on a self-assessment basis, so that the total paid matches the tax due under the return. The Tax Department occasionally extends deadlines by announcement, so its calendar should be checked before each due date.

Audited accounts and record keeping

Cyprus companies prepare financial statements that are generally audited under accepted auditing standards, and the tax return is completed on the basis of those accounts for the calendar year. The reform also changed the statute of limitations: the Tax Department may raise an enquiry within six years from the date the return, or a revised return, is filed. Books and records should be kept for at least the same period.

The reform also strengthened the Tax Department’s audit and collection powers and increased administrative penalties, which makes it more important than before to meet each date.

A practical annual calendar

For a company with a calendar year end, the main tax and corporate dates usually fall as follows:

• 31 July: first provisional tax instalment;
• 1 October to 31 December: beneficial ownership register confirmation;
• 31 December: second provisional tax instalment;
• 31 January, two years after the year end: corporate tax return and final payment.

VAT returns, payroll contributions and the annual return to the Registrar run alongside these dates. Our guides on VAT registration and on the beneficial ownership register cover two of them in detail.

If you would like to talk through how these rules might apply to your own circumstances, our team would be glad to help. You can call +357 979 42 388 or write to us through our contact page.

Sources

• Tax Department, Tax Reform 2026 legislation, circulars and guides, posted 29 May 2026.
• Ministry of Finance, Tax reform 2026 overview (in Greek), as of October 2026.
• Tax Department, announcements and tax calendar, as of October 2026.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Figures are stated as of 2026 and may change; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and an independent adviser before acting. AT Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government or official programme.

Featured image: “Nicosia Skyline park in Makariou Avenue Cyprus” by NicosiaSkylines, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.