Frequently Asked Questions About Company Registrations
Company name reservation takes 1-2 business days. Complete company registration with CIPC typically takes 1-2 business days after name approval.
You need certified ID copies of all directors and incorporators, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement not older than 3 months), completed CIPC forms (COR9.1, CoR14.1), and a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI). Foreign directors need certified passport copies. We handle all documentation for you.
The Starter Pack includes Company Name Reservation (COR9.1), Private Company (Pty Ltd) Registration, Company Tax Number registration with SARS (Income Tax), Registration Certificate (COR14.3), email updates at each step, and 1-2 business days processing after the company name has been approved. Perfect for entrepreneurs starting their business journey.
Yes, but at least one director must be a South African resident. Foreign directors need to provide certified copies of their passport and proof of address from their home country. The SA resident director ensures CIPC can communicate effectively with the company.
Our Starter Pack is R985 and includes name reservation, company registration, and tax number. The Business Essentials package is R1,450 and includes everything in Starter Pack plus professional share certificates, beneficial ownership filing, MOI, directors' resolutions templates, annual return reminders, company name and registration processing (2-4 days approx)., and free BEE EME Affidavit template.
A director manages the company's day-to-day operations and makes strategic decisions. They have fiduciary duties and legal responsibilities. A shareholder owns shares in the company, receives dividends, and has voting rights at shareholder meetings. One person can be both a director and shareholder.
Most private companies (Pty Ltd) are exempt from mandatory audits if they meet certain criteria: less than R10 million public interest score, fewer than 100 employees, and turnover under threshold limits. You may voluntarily appoint an auditor. Consult with an accountant for your specific situation.
A shelf company is a pre-registered company that's never traded. While it saves a few days, we recommend against it. New registrations are faster (2-4 days), cheaper, let you choose your company name, avoid potential historical liabilities, and start with a clean slate. Fresh registration gives you full control from day one.
VAT registration is mandatory once your annual turnover exceeds R1 million. You can voluntarily register before this threshold (useful for claiming VAT on expenses). You have 21 days to register after crossing the R1 million threshold. PAYE is required if you have employees. We assist with both VAT and PAYE registration.
Beneficial ownership (UBO) identifies individuals who ultimately own or control 5% or more of the company. It's mandatory to file with CIPC within 30 days of company registration or when beneficial ownership changes. Non-compliance can result in penalties and deregistration. Our Business Essentials package includes this filing.
Yes, you can change your company name by filing an amended MOI (CoR15.1A) with CIPC. You'll need a new name reservation (COR9.1) first. All official documents, letterheads, and signage must be updated to reflect the new name.
No. NPCs must apply to the SARS Tax Exemption Unit for PBO (and Section 18A if eligible). Governance requirements apply (e.g., independence of fiduciaries). We can guide you through the application.
We register companies nationwide across all 9 South African provinces including Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and Northern Cape.