North Macedonia has a short, early annual reporting cycle. Companies close their books for the calendar year and submit the annual accounts and the tax balance in the first weeks of the next year, which is much earlier than in many European countries. The Central Registry receives the annual accounts, the Public Revenue Office receives the tax filings, and the two are linked by the same dates.

This guide covers the limited liability company (društvo so ograničena odgovornost, DOO), the usual vehicle for a foreign-owned subsidiary, and notes where the joint-stock company (AD) and a branch differ. It is written for founders and for legal, finance and operations teams.

Updated November 9, 2026. Some professional sources give different dates from the Public Revenue Office, so this guide follows the authority's own published dates where available and flags the conflicts. Confirm all dates with the Public Revenue Office and the Central Registry.

Entity compliance North Macedonia: the quick answer

• Submit the annual accounts to the Central Registry by the end of February after the financial year, or by 15 March when they are submitted electronically, according to the Public Revenue Office and an investment agency.

• Submit the tax balance (form DB) to the Public Revenue Office by the same deadline, as published by the authority.

• Pay corporate income tax at 10 percent of the taxable profit, and calculate tax on dividends on the dividend form when profit is paid out.

• File VAT and payroll returns monthly, and keep the company and beneficial owner records current.

What determines a Macedonian company's compliance requirements?

The size, the revenue and the legal form decide the work. Companies prepare statements under the accounting regulations, which are based on international standards, and a statutory audit is required when the company meets criteria in the Audit Law. An investment agency page lists the criteria as including more than 50 employees, though other thresholds can apply, so ask an adviser which test fits. Branches of foreign companies are treated differently for publication, according to a professional source.

The tax regime matters too. The Public Revenue Office describes an annual tax on total income for small companies whose income is below a ceiling, which it gives as MKD 6,000,000, as an alternative to the profit tax. A company that meets the conditions is entered in a register of such taxpayers and can be removed, for example if it has transactions with related parties.

Annual entity requirements in North Macedonia: the core checklist

1. Annual accounts

Companies submit the annual accounts to the Central Registry, which professional sources describe as available electronically or on paper at its offices. The Public Revenue Office states that the deadline is the end of February of the following year and that taxpayers who file electronically have until 15 March. One data provider says that statements are due within six months of year-end, and another gives 30 April for tax returns, which conflict with the authority. Follow the authority and confirm the date each year.

2. Tax balance and corporate income tax

The Public Revenue Office states that the assessment and payment of corporate income tax follow the tax balance (form DB), submitted by the deadline for the annual accounts. The tax rate is 10 percent according to professional sources. Advance payments are made during the year on the basis of the previous result, so build them into the cash plan. An investment agency says that applications are due by the end of February or by 15 March if submitted electronically.

3. Tax on dividends and other distributions

When profit is distributed, the taxpayer calculates the tax on the paid dividend or other distribution on a dedicated form (DD-ID), according to the Public Revenue Office. Dividends paid to non-residents may attract withholding tax, with relief under double tax treaties, which professional sources say North Macedonia has concluded with dozens of countries.

4. Transfer pricing and Pillar Two

PwC describes transfer pricing documentation that must be provided when the Public Revenue Office requests it, no earlier than 30 days after the deadline for the financial statements and tax return. Pillar Two legislation was enacted on 27 December 2024 with a domestic top-up tax at 15 percent for large multinational groups, and PwC notes thresholds below which the additional tax does not apply. Check whether your group is in scope.

5. Beneficial owners and registry records

Companies keep records of the beneficial owner and report changes to the Central Registry, which also keeps the trade register. Changes of managers, address, capital and articles are registered with the Central Registry. Company names must be written in Cyrillic when submitted to the Trade Registry, according to a professional source.

Tax and indirect tax obligations

The standard VAT rate is 18 percent, with a reduced rate for some goods and services, and VAT returns are filed monthly or quarterly depending on turnover. Employers withhold personal income tax and pay social contributions monthly. Withholding tax applies to certain payments to non-residents, such as royalties, interest, management fees and services, with relief under treaties when conditions are met.

Loans between residents and non-residents are allowed, but professional sources say loans must be registered with the central bank. Interest limitation and thin capitalization rules can restrict deductions, so document the terms of intercompany loans.

Foreign-owned subsidiaries

Foreign persons can own Macedonian companies. A DOO is registered at the Central Registry, which has become the authority for registration, and needs a seat in North Macedonia, a manager and the founding act. Foreign corporate shareholders provide apostilled documents with translation into Macedonian. Professional sources advise using local attorneys, because foreign attorneys cannot practise there.

Banks apply due diligence to foreign-owned accounts and ask for beneficial owner evidence. Companies must open a bank account with a local bank to register the company and pay in capital.

First-year and event-triggered obligations

In the first year, the company is registered with the Central Registry, receives its tax number, registers for VAT when needed, registers employees with the social insurance funds, opens a bank account and sets up its accounting. A new company submits its first annual accounts for the first financial year, according to a data provider.

Events that trigger filings include a change of manager, a share transfer, a capital change, a change of seat or activity, a merger and a liquidation. Each is registered with the Central Registry, and ownership changes should update the beneficial owner records.

Employment and local requirements

Macedonian employers register employees before work starts, pay social contributions and withhold personal income tax. Employees have written contracts, statutory annual leave of at least twenty working days and notice rights tied to service. Work permits apply to foreign staff, so plan the process before assigning employees.

Record-keeping and governance in North Macedonia

Accounting law requires companies to keep books and supporting documents for the periods set in the regulations, and professional sources give different periods for different records, so ask your accountant for the schedule. Keep the signed annual accounts, the shareholder decisions, the audit file and proof of electronic submission. A foreign parent should name a person who tracks the February and March dates, because they come right after year-end and leave little time for corrections.

Build a compliance calendar for North Macedonia

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: close the books, count inventory and brief the auditor.

• By 28 or 29 February: submit the annual accounts and the tax balance, or by 15 March if filed electronically.

• During the year: pay advance tax and monthly VAT and payroll.

• When profit is paid out: calculate tax on dividends on the dividend form.

• On request: provide transfer pricing documentation.

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

Common mistakes

• Following a data provider's date instead of the authority's date.

• Missing the early February and March cycle.

• Forgetting the dividend tax form when paying out profit.

• Not registering a foreign loan with the central bank.

• Assuming the small company regime applies without checking related-party dealings.

• Skipping the Cyrillic form for the company name.

Entity compliance North Macedonia: frequently asked questions

When are the annual accounts due?

By the end of February, or 15 March if submitted electronically, according to the Public Revenue Office.

What is the corporate income tax rate?

10 percent according to professional sources.

What is the tax balance?

Form DB, which is submitted to the Public Revenue Office for the assessment and payment of corporate income tax.

Is there a tax on dividends?

Yes. The taxpayer calculates it on the dividend form when profit is distributed.

Is Pillar Two in force?

Legislation was enacted on 27 December 2024 with a 15 percent domestic top-up tax for large groups.

What is the VAT rate?

18 percent, with a reduced rate for some supplies.

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.