Registering a company is the easy part. Knowing what obligations start the moment you do is what saves money later.
Do you need a company at all?
You can trade legally as a sole proprietor without registering anything. A registered company makes sense when you need limited liability, want to bid for tenders, need a business bank account in the business name, or intend to raise funding.
If none of those apply yet, registering early just starts the compliance clock.
What you need
- Certified ID copies for all directors
- Proposed company names, in order of preference
- Physical business address
- Details of directors and shareholders
The process
- Reserve a name, or register with the registration number as the name
- Submit the registration with director and shareholder details
- Pay the CIPC fee
- Receive your registration certificate and company number
Registration is usually processed within days. Name reservations can take longer if your first choices are rejected.
What starts immediately
| Obligation | When |
|---|---|
| Income tax registration | Automatic with SARS on registration |
| CIPC annual return | Every year on your registration anniversary |
| Beneficial ownership | Filed and kept current |
| Financial records | From day one |
| VAT registration | Compulsory above the turnover threshold |
| PAYE and UIF | Once you employ anyone |
If you register and never trade, you still owe annual returns and nil tax returns. Registering a company you are not ready to use creates cost, not protection.
After registration
- Open a business bank account in the exact registered name
- Register on CSD if you intend to bid for government work
- Obtain a B-BBEE affidavit if applicable
- Set up bookkeeping from the first transaction
Need this filed without the admin?
Annual returns, beneficial ownership, director and address changes, registrations and reinstatements. Filed online, from R199.
General information, not legal or accounting advice. CIPC fees and requirements change. Confirm current details with CIPC before acting.