FIC Issues Reminder for 2026 Risk and Compliance Return Submissions

Posted 08 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Regulatory Compliance

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has issued a reminder to designated accountable institutions regarding the mandatory submission of the 2026 Risk and Compliance Return (RCR) under Directive 11 of 2026.

In terms of Directive 11 of 2026, issued pursuant to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, No. 38 of 2001 (FICA), specified accountable institutions must submit their 2026 RCR electronically via the FIC’s online platform. The return covers the 2023—2026 reporting period and is designed to assess institutions’ exposure to money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks, as well as the efficacy of their internal control measures.

Submission deadlines are staggered based on the category of the accountable institution, falling between 30 June 2026 and 31 July 2026. Failure to submit the return within the prescribed deadlines constitutes non-compliance with a directive, which may attract administrative sanctions in terms of section 45C of FICA.

To assist institutions in preparing their submissions, the FIC has made a 38-page composite questionnaire sample available. This allows compliance officers to compile the necessary data offline before transposing the information onto the electronic portal.

Click here to download the FIC Directive 11 of 2026.

Click here to download the 2026 RCR Composite Questionnaire Sample.

Click here to download the FIC Notice on Platform Opening.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: As a compliance officer or professional adviser, you must familiarise yourself with the 38-page composite questionnaire to understand the specific risk metrics and control disclosures required for the 2023—2026 reporting cycle.
  • For your business: If your firm is an accountable institution under Schedule 1 of FICA (such as auditing firms, legal practitioners, or trust property administrators), you must compile the required risk data and submit the completed RCR on the FIC portal before your specific sector deadline (ranging from 30 June 2026 to 31 July 2026).
  • For your clients: You must advise clients who qualify as accountable institutions to immediately begin gathering their compliance and transaction monitoring data for the 2023—2026 period to avoid administrative penalties for late or non-submission.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/fic-reminder-re-2026-rcr-submissions

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