A base-level guide for South African private companies (Pty Ltd). These are the company law and registry obligations. Miss these and you risk penalties, a flagged company, or deregistration.
What it is
A yearly filing with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission confirming your company is still active and that its registry details are current. It is not a tax return — it’s a separate obligation from anything filed with SARS, and filing one does not satisfy the other.
When it’s due
Within 30 business days of your registration anniversaryNot your financial year-end, and not a fixed calendar date. A company registered on 15 June must file every year around that date.
What you need
If you miss it
A penalty applies immediately after the window closes. Miss it for two consecutive years and CIPC begins the deregistration process — which can freeze bank accounts and, in serious cases, expose directors to personal liability.
What it is
A declaration of the natural persons who ultimately own or control the company — introduced as part of South Africa’s reforms to exit the FATF greylist. A beneficial owner is generally anyone holding, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of shares, voting rights, or control.
When it’s due
What you need
Full names, ID or passport numbers, nationality, residential address, and the nature/extent of each beneficial owner’s interest.
Common mistake
Assuming this is bundled into the annual return automatically. It isn’t — it must be filed (or confirmed current) before the annual return will go through.
What it is
Depending on your company’s size and public interest score, you’ll need one of the following on file as part of your annual return:
What it is
A separate filing from CIPC, due to SARS within 12 months of your company’s financial year-end.
Common mistake
Confusing this with the CIPC annual return — one of the most common compliance mistakes. They go to different bodies, on different timelines, and neither substitutes for the other.
What applies
Once a company has employees, three additional registrations typically apply:
B-BBEE affidavit
Small businesses below the exemption threshold can usually self-certify with a sworn affidavit rather than a full verification, useful for tender or supplier requirements.
POPIA
No CIPC-style annual filing, but you’re expected to have basic data protection practices in place (an information officer registered with the Information Regulator is required for most companies).
Annual return + beneficial ownership, tied to your incorporation anniversary.
Income tax, VAT, PAYE — tied to your financial year-end and monthly/bi-monthly cycles.
Missing either one doesn’t just risk a penalty — it can quietly put the company’s legal standing at risk while the tax side looks perfectly fine.
We’ll check your CIPC and SARS status together and tell you exactly what’s outstanding, if anything.
