Circular 9 of 2026: Financial Annual Statutory Returns for 2025

The purpose of this circular is to provide the industry with an update regarding the expected go-live and submission dates for the 2025 Financial Annual Statutory Return (FASR) and provide the final Financial Annual Statutory Return Word document.

Due to challenges experienced with the returns system in 2025, the 2024 FASR submission was delayed. These delays have also affected the 2025 FASR process, although not to the same extent. As a result, the expected go-live date for the 2025 FASR is mid-April 2026. The anticipated submission date is 29 May 2026, with the final submission date to be confirmed once the system goes live.

The industry was requested to provide comments on the development of the FASR for 2025 via Circular 27 of 2025. The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) would like to thank the industry for the valuable input received.

The specifications were finalised, ensuring that significant changes were prioritised as CMS encountered technology resource capacity constraints. It should be noted that although the return is aligned with IFRS Accounting Standards, it does not need to adhere to IFRS Accounting Standards, as it is a regulatory tool.

The final Word document for 2025 can be accessed here.

Download the Circular here.