Private Funds and the Cayman Islands Fund Annual Return 2026 Deadline

The Maples Group provides Fund Annual Return (“FAR”) completion, filing and regulator fees payment services to ensure filings are made with accuracy and timeliness, alleviating the burden on fund managers.

Cayman Islands-domiciled closed-ended investment funds that are registered as private funds with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”) are subject to a filing requirement.  These filings are made via the online portal Regulatory Enhanced Electronic Forms Submission (“REEFS”), which includes informational data encompassing general, operating, related fund entity and financial information, as well as submission of annual audited financial statements and an operator declaration.

What is the FAR? Who needs to complete it?

The FAR is a Microsoft Excel-based tool through which CIMA captures general, operating and financial information relating to registered funds. It is required to be filed annually alongside the audited financial statements accompanying an operator declaration within six months after the financial year end.  While the local Cayman Islands auditor or other designated person files the FAR on behalf of the fund, the fund operator, which includes the directors, trustee or general partner depending on how the fund is structured, ultimately is responsible for completing the FAR.

CIMA regulatory updates

This filing is an annual requirement.  The initial period covered for a newly launched fund coincides with the initial financial statement audit period, which can be up to 18 months from commencement of operations.  The filing deadline is no later than six months after the end of a fund’s financial year.  Declarations and waivers are required for closed-ended funds not filing, whether because of a fund not yet drawing down capital from investors for investment purposes or reporting an approved extended period (up to 18 months for first and last reporting periods).

In February 2026 CIMA announced various updates to its fee structure, which applies to funds with reporting periods commencing 1 January 2026 onwards.  The annual FAR filing fee will be consolidated into the annual registration fee payable at the beginning of 2026 for the 2026 FAR reporting period for filings completed in 2027.

How the Maples Group can help with the FAR process

To alleviate the operational burden as it relates to FAR completion, the Accounting, Tax & Agency Services team at the Maples Group can provide FAR services that include on-boarding and managing a portfolio of funds’ FAR requirements, assistance with FAR preparation and coordination, monitoring the requirements, providing updates and training, and assisting to ensure corresponding regulator fees are paid.  The team can also submit the approved FAR directly to CIMA through the portal or provide it to the fund’s auditor for filing.

Our experienced team has a deep understanding of the FAR requirements and overall financial statement preparation process and is committed to providing high-quality and timely service.  This approach ensures that a fund is compliant while freeing up the fund operator to focus on its core management functions.   As a market leader in the provision of legal, fiduciary, fund, regulatory and compliance, and entity formation and management services, the Maples Group is committed to supporting our clients’ efforts to comply with the Private Funds Act (“PFA”) regime.

For legal and regulatory disclosures please visit: maples.com/legal-notices.