Lithuania is the largest of the Baltic economies and, unlike Estonia and Latvia, it taxes profit as it accrues. That brings an annual corporate income tax return, advance payments for larger companies and a clear June deadline. The annual financial statements go to a separate authority, the Register of Legal Entities run by the Centre of Registers, and the two filings have different dates.

This guide covers the private limited company (uždaroji akcinė bendrovė, UAB), the usual vehicle for a foreign-owned subsidiary, and notes where the public company (AB) and a branch differ. It is written for founders and for legal, finance and operations teams.

Updated November 9, 2026. Lithuania raised its standard corporate tax rate from 2026, and sources differ on some filing dates, so confirm both with the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) and the Centre of Registers.

Entity compliance Lithuania: the quick answer

• Hold the shareholder meeting that approves the annual financial statements within four months after year-end, which is 30 April for a calendar-year company.

• File the approved statements with the Register of Legal Entities within 30 days of approval, so by about 31 May at the latest.

• File the corporate income tax return with the VMI by the 15th day of the sixth month after the tax period, which is 15 June for a calendar-year company.

• File VAT returns by the 25th of the following month, and keep the participants and beneficial owner data current.

What determines a Lithuanian company's compliance requirements?

The size, activity and tax profile of the company decide the work. UAB companies prepare statements under the Business Accounting Standards or under IFRS where the size criteria require it, and an audit is mandatory when at least two of the statutory indicators are exceeded on the last day of the financial year. The audit report must be ready before the shareholders approve the statements.

Tax profile matters. Professional sources describe a standard corporate income tax rate of 17 percent from 1 January 2026, up from 16 percent in 2025, with reduced rates for small companies and a zero rate for start-ups in their first periods. Because the reforms are recent, check the current rates and eligibility with the VMI.

Annual entity requirements in Lithuania: the core checklist

1. Approval of the financial statements

The director signs the statements and the shareholders approve them. Professional sources and law firm notes describe four months from the year-end for the shareholder decision. A sole shareholder can approve by written decision. Keep the decision with the statements, and make sure that the signatories are the registered ones.

2. Filing with the Register of Legal Entities

The approved statements, the annual report and the auditor's report if required are filed with the Register of Legal Entities within 30 days after approval. For a calendar-year company approving on 30 April, that produces an outer date of 31 May. One accounting provider describes the filing deadline as 30 June, which may reflect a different reading, so use the statutory sequence of approval within four months and filing within 30 days, and confirm with the Centre of Registers. Professional sources describe penalties for late filing, and strike-off risk after two consecutive years without filing.

3. Corporate income tax return

The corporate income tax return is filed electronically with the VMI by the 15th day of the sixth month after the end of the tax period, which professional sources and KPMG describe as 15 June for calendar-year companies. The final payment falls on the same day. Larger taxpayers pay advance instalments based on the prior year's result. The return should match the filed statements.

4. VAT

VAT-registered companies file monthly returns by the 25th of the following month, according to professional sources. The standard rate is 21 percent, and the registration threshold is in the tens of thousands of euros, so confirm both with the VMI. EU supplies need summary statements, and large traders also file Intrastat declarations.

5. Participants and beneficial owners

Lithuanian companies report their shareholders and beneficial owners to the register and update them after changes. Professional sources describe disclosure obligations for all private legal entities except those whose only participant is the state or a municipality. Check the current deadline for updates, which is short.

Tax and indirect tax obligations

Employers pay social insurance contributions and withhold personal income tax. Withholding tax applies to certain payments to non-residents, such as dividends, interest and royalties, with EU rules and treaties reducing it when conditions are met. Real estate tax is levied by municipalities at rates set within a national range.

Transfer pricing rules require arm's-length terms for related-party transactions, and larger groups prepare documentation. A foreign-owned UAB that borrows from its parent or pays service fees should keep agreements and invoices that show the benefit received.

Foreign-owned subsidiaries

Foreign ownership of a UAB is generally unrestricted, with screening for investments in sectors that affect national security. A UAB needs a registered address in Lithuania, a manager, minimum share capital and an incorporation deed. Professional sources describe an option for a lower capital amount for some start-ups, so confirm the current figure. Foreign corporate shareholders provide apostilled documents with translations.

Banks apply due diligence to foreign-owned accounts and ask for beneficial owner evidence. Intercompany loans, services and royalties need contracts, and interest limitation rules can restrict deductions.

First-year and event-triggered obligations

In the first year, the company registers with the Register of Legal Entities, registers with the VMI for tax within a few business days, registers for VAT if needed, registers employees with the social insurance fund and opens a bank account. Bookkeeping starts at registration.

Events that trigger filings include a change of manager, a share transfer, a capital change, a change of registered address, a merger and a liquidation. Changes to the board or supervisory council are notified to the register, and professional sources describe a 30-day period for certain decisions.

Employment and local requirements

Lithuanian employers register employees with the social insurance fund before work starts, pay contributions and give written contracts. Employees have statutory minimum wage, at least 20 working days of annual leave for a five-day week and notice rights tied to service, and works councils exist in larger workplaces. Many foreign-owned subsidiaries use a local payroll provider.

Record-keeping and governance in Lithuania

Lithuanian accounting law requires companies to keep primary documents, ledgers and statements for the periods in the law, and professional sources give different periods by document type, so ask your accountant for the schedule. The manager is responsible for the books. Keep the shareholder decisions, the auditor's engagement and report, and the filing confirmations together. Record who holds the credentials for the VMI system and the register, and move them when staff change.

Build a compliance calendar for Lithuania

A compliance calendar turns the rules above into dated tasks with named owners. Start from the financial year-end and the incorporation anniversary, then add the recurring monthly and quarterly items. Review it each quarter, because deadlines, extensions and registry systems change.

• January to March: close the books and arrange the audit if required.

• By 30 April: hold the shareholder meeting that approves the financial statements.

• Within 30 days of approval, by about 31 May: file with the Register of Legal Entities.

• By 15 June: file the corporate income tax return and pay the balance.

• By the 25th of each month: file VAT returns.

• After any change: update the register and the beneficial owner data.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the register filing date and the tax return date.

• Missing the four-month approval window.

• Relying on a rate from before the 2026 reform.

• Overlooking advance payments for larger taxpayers.

• Skipping the filing for a dormant company.

• Failing to update shareholder or beneficial owner data.

Entity compliance Lithuania: frequently asked questions

When must a UAB approve its financial statements?

Within four months after the financial year-end, which is 30 April for calendar-year companies.

When are the statements filed with the register?

Within 30 days of approval, so about 31 May at the latest for a calendar-year company.

When is the corporate income tax return due?

By 15 June for calendar-year companies.

What is the standard corporate tax rate?

Professional sources describe 17 percent from 2026, with reduced rates for small companies and start-ups.

Do dormant companies file?

Yes. Professional sources say a dormant UAB still files its annual statements and tax return.

When is the VAT return due?

By the 25th of the following month for monthly filers.

How CoverPin can help

CoverPin helps finance, legal and operations teams track entity obligations across countries. See our international entities overview, learn about compliance advisory, or browse more guides in our legal and compliance resources.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified local adviser before acting.