When is the beneficial ownership declaration due?
Short answerFile it every year, before your annual return, and within 10 business days of any change. A company's annual return is due within 30 business days, starting the day after its registration anniversary. A late annual return costs an extra CIPC penalty fee.
Beneficial ownership deadlines
- New companies (incorporated after 24 May 2023): within 10 business days of incorporation.
- Companies incorporated before 24 May 2023: CIPC set the first filing for within 30 days of the anniversary date.
- Any change to the beneficial owners: within 10 business days.
- Every year: confirm the information is still correct, before the annual return.
Annual return deadlines
- Companies: within 30 business days, starting the day after the anniversary of the date of registration. This applies whether the company traded or not.
- Close corporations: from the first day of the month in which the CC was registered, until the end of the following month.
If you are late
- You can still file a late annual return, but CIPC adds a penalty fee.
- The annual return cannot go through until the beneficial ownership declaration is current.
- If annual returns stay unfiled, CIPC can start to deregister the company or CC.
Let us file it for you. FilingFlowSA files your beneficial ownership declaration for R499. For companies with turnover under R1 million a year, we also file your CIPC annual return at no extra cost. Standard CIPC fees included. Independent; not affiliated with CIPC.
Start your filingCommon questions
How do I find my anniversary date?
It is the date the company or CC was registered. You can see it on your CIPC registration certificate.
Do I file even if the company did not trade?
Yes. CIPC requires the annual return whether the company or CC was active or not.
What if the owners change during the year?
Update the beneficial ownership information within 10 business days of the change.
Related guides
Sources
- CIPC: Frequently asked questions (Beneficial Ownership and Annual Returns)
- Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr: CIPC announcement on beneficial ownership (5 June 2024)
- Fasken: CIPC reporting requirements update, who is the beneficial owner? (May 2023)
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice.