Qawaem financial statement filing is how Saudi companies submit their annual accounts to the Saudi Business Center. Under Article 17 of the Companies Law, companies must file within six months of their financial year-end. For example, if your financial year ends on 31 December 2026, your filing deadline is 30 June 2027.
Before you start, check who will file and whether your company needs an external auditor. Then work back from the filing deadline to allow time for the audit, management review and any corrections.
What is Qawaem and who needs to file?
Qawaem is the Saudi Business Center’s online platform for filing annual financial statements. The Ministry of Commerce says the filing requirement applies across company forms. For example, it covers limited liability companies (LLCs), unlisted joint-stock companies and simplified joint-stock companies. It also covers general partnerships and limited partnerships.
The Companies Law assigns responsibility according to the company’s legal form. For an LLC, the manager or board of managers prepares and files the statements. In an unlisted joint-stock company, the board prepares them and the chair handles filing. For a simplified joint-stock company, the responsible person or body depends on how the company is managed.
What is the Qawaem financial statement filing deadline?
Count six months from the end of your company’s financial year. For example, if your year ends on 30 June, your filing deadline falls on 31 December of the same year. For a newly incorporated company, check its first reporting period in the articles of association or bylaws. The Companies Law allows the first financial year to run for six to 18 months from commercial registration.
Your internal deadlines can come earlier. For example, an LLC must make its financial statements available to its auditor, where applicable, at least 45 days before the annual general meeting. The company must also send the statements to its partners at least 21 days before that meeting. Therefore, build your year-end calendar around the meeting as well as the filing date.
Does your company need an audit before filing?
A qualifying micro or small company may be exempt from appointing an external auditor. To meet the size test, the company must satisfy at least two of these three criteria.
| Criterion | Limit |
| Annual revenue | SAR 10 million or less |
| Total assets | SAR 10 million or less |
| Employees | 49 or fewer |
The size test is only one part of the assessment. Article 19 also sets rules for the first financial year and for qualification across two consecutive years. In addition, check the exceptions for foreign companies, listed companies and companies that issue certain securities. Group companies face extra conditions. Your articles of association or bylaws may also require an auditor.
Next, check whether partners or shareholders with at least 10% of the interests or voting shares have requested an auditor in writing. If your company qualifies for the exemption, the manager or chair must include the required declaration with the filing. The company still needs to prepare and submit its annual financial statements.
What to prepare before you file on Qawaem
First, confirm your commercial registration details, economic activity, reporting period and authorised company representative. Then prepare the financial statements and supporting notes under the accounting standards endorsed in Saudi Arabia. Have the auditor’s report ready if an audit applies. If the company qualifies for an audit exemption, prepare the declaration for that route.
Before entering the figures, reconcile the year-end balances for cash, receivables, payables and inventory. Then check that the comparative figures match the prior-year accounts or reflect any restatements. For example, if the accountant posts a final audit adjustment, update the filing figures as well as the signed statements.
How to file financial statements on Qawaem
1. Confirm who will submit the statements
First, agree who will handle the submission. The Saudi Business Center provides a route for audit firms and a separate route for qualifying companies that can file without an external auditor. For audited statements, agree with the audit firm who will handle the upload, company approval and any follow-up.
2. Open the filing request and select the reporting period
If you are using the audit-exempt route, open the Qawaem portal and sign in through Nafath. Next, open the financial statements submission request and choose the option to create financial statements. Select the reporting type and check that you are working on the correct company and year.
3. Review the figures and submit
Complete the form or upload the files required for your filing route. Before you submit, compare the figures against the final accounts. In particular, check that you selected the correct reporting dates and entered the comparative figures in the right columns. Then submit the request and retain the confirmation.
4. Check the filing status after submission
The Saudi Business Center reviews the statements after submission. If it returns the filing, read the comments, correct the issue and submit again. Once the filing receives approval, keep the confirmation with the final financial statements and any auditor’s report.
What are the penalties for missing the Qawaem deadline?
In May 2026, the Ministry of Commerce announced Ministerial Decision No. 236, which sets direct penalties for failing to file. The schedule distinguishes between company types, capital levels and the number of people responsible for management. Listed joint-stock companies fall outside this schedule.
| Company category | Direct fine announced by the Ministry |
| Micro and small companies | SAR 4,000 where there is one manager or a board chair. SAR 2,000 where multiple people are responsible for management. |
| Other companies covered by the general capital bands, with capital up to SAR 500,000 | SAR 8,000 for one responsible manager. SAR 4,000 for two or more. |
| Other companies covered by the general capital bands, with capital above SAR 500,000 | SAR 12,000 for one responsible manager. SAR 6,000 for two or more. |
| Unlisted joint-stock companies | SAR 15,000 for capital up to SAR 5 million. SAR 20,000 for capital above SAR 5 million. |
The decision also provides for a 50% increase when the failure to file recurs for two consecutive financial years after the first violation decision becomes final.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qawaem financial statement filing the same as filing with ZATCA?
Qawaem is the annual financial statement filing channel. Zakat and corporate income tax returns go through ZATCA. Therefore, track both obligations separately and check that the figures reconcile where the same balances appear.
Can a company file on Qawaem without an auditor?
Yes, if the company qualifies for the audit exemption. It can use the Saudi Business Center’s filing route for exempt companies. The manager or chair must also provide the required declaration.
How do I know if Qawaem accepted my financial statements?
Check the status through Qawaem after submitting. The initial confirmation records the filing submission. The Saudi Business Center then sends a separate notice after review. If it requests changes, address the comments and resubmit.
Where should I start if my filing is overdue?
First, confirm which financial year is outstanding and check the portal for any returned submission or notice. Then identify what is holding up the filing, such as unsigned accounts or an incomplete audit. If you received a penalty notice, check its instructions and response deadline separately.
Get help preparing your annual accounts
If your year-end accounts are still open, start by identifying the balances that need reconciliation and checking who is responsible for filing. Contact Bizcon Global to discuss financial statement preparation, audit readiness or support with your Qawaem filing.