How to Avoid Penalties During End-of-Year Tax Filing in Cameroon (A Practical Guide for SMEs)

Every December, most business owners in Cameroon start feeling that familiar pressure:
“Have I kept my books well? Did I file everything? Will I get penalized?”

End-of-year tax filing season is not fun for anyone — big or small. But the truth is this:

Most penalties are avoidable. What hurts businesses is not the tax itself, but lack of preparation.

Whether you run a small shop in Molyko, a consulting firm in Bonamoussadi, or a startup launching in Yaoundé, the rules are the same.
The General Tax Code is clear: every registered business must file its annual declarations.

So let’s talk about how to stay safe, organised, and compliant—without stress.

1. Understand What You Must Declare

Many penalties happen because business owners simply don’t know what they are supposed to be filing.
There are two mandatory end-of-year declarations in Cameroon:

1. Statistical Return (DSF)

A detailed summary of your financial performance:

• Revenue
• Expenses
• Assets and liabilities
• Profit or loss
• Management report
• Notes and supporting information

This is where your financial statements matter.

2. Tax Return (Déclaration Fiscale)

This is what determines your:

• Company Tax (IS)
• Additional Council Tax
• Minimum Tax
• Other statutory obligations

If your business falls under the Comprehensive Tax Regime (Classes 8–10), these filings are mandatory — even if you had zero activity.

Read Also: SARL vs Enterprise — Which One Should You Choose

2. Do Not Wait Until May

One reason small businesses face penalties is simple:

They wait until the very last week.

By January, accountants are overwhelmed, tax officials are strict, and even small mistakes lead to fines.

The smart move?

Start preparing your books in November or early December.

At OpenHub Consulting, we start calling clients as early as November because we know that January panic is not good for business.

3. Keep Your Books Throughout the Year (Not Just in December)

A common mistake Cameroon entrepreneurs make is keeping records only when filing.

But here’s the truth:

• You cannot produce accurate statements in one week.
• Guesswork leads to penalties.
• Missing receipts lead to penalties.
• Incomplete ledgers lead to penalties.

The General Tax Code requires every business to maintain:

• A sales journal
• A purchases journal
• Payroll records
• Cash book
• Bank statements
• Supporting invoices and receipts

If the tax officer asks and you cannot present them, you’re already in trouble—even if your filing is correct.

4. Understand That “No Activity” Does NOT Mean “No Filing”

This is the trap most new businesses fall into.

If your company is registered, the tax administration considers you active unless you file for “cessation of activity,” which most people don’t.

Meaning:

Even if you did no business, you must file your DSF and tax return.
If you don’t, penalties apply.

And worse, you can be taxed d’office — the tax officer will estimate your revenue and bill you based on their calculation, not yours.

You don’t want that.

5. Avoid Penalties by Asking for Help Early

This is where expertise saves you money.

Many penalties come from small mistakes:

• Forgetting to include depreciation
• Misclassifying expenses
• Mixing personal and business spending
• Missing deadlines
• Wrong regime calculations
• Not knowing new Finance Law updates

End-of-year tax rules change almost every year.
The 2025 Finance Law already introduced major updates to the new Comprehensive Regime.

Instead of risking penalties worth hundreds of thousands, it’s wiser to work with a professional early enough.

6. Let’s Handle Your End-of-Year Tax Filing for You

This is where we come in.

At OpenHub Consulting, we help you:

• Prepare your financial statements
• Organize missing records
• File your statistical returns
• File your tax returns
• Update your books
• Avoid penalties
• Stay compliant
• Understand your tax obligations in simple English
• Plan better for next year

Our team works with SMEs, startups, new companies, and diaspora investors who want peace of mind.

Because compliance should not be a burden — it should be part of the foundation of a successful business.

7. Preventing Penalties Is Cheaper Than Paying Them

Waiting is expensive.
Guesswork is expensive.
Late filing is expensive.

But preparing early, keeping good records, and getting help?

Much cheaper. Much safer.

We are one month to the end of the year.
This is your chance to avoid unnecessary penalties and start the new year with peace of mind. Get in touch with us now!