Beneficial Ownership Services

Beneficial ownership registration and compliance services for South African companies. We help you meet CIPC requirements and maintain accurate records.

What is Beneficial Ownership?

Beneficial ownership refers to the natural persons who ultimately own or control a company, even if the shares are held by another entity or nominee. In South Africa, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) requires all companies to register and maintain accurate records of their beneficial owners.

This requirement is part of South Africa's commitment to international standards for transparency and combating financial crimes, implemented through the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act, 2022, effective from April 2023. Companies must identify and report individuals who:

  • Own 5% or more of the company's shares
  • Control 5% or more of the voting rights
  • Have the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors
  • Exercise significant influence or control over the company

Failure to comply with beneficial ownership requirements can result in penalties, fines, compliance notices, administrative penalties, and potential deregistration of the company. Companies incorporated before 24 May 2023 must submit beneficial ownership information as part of their Annual Returns, while companies incorporated on or after 24 May 2023 must submit within 10 business days of incorporation. That's why it's essential to work with professionals who understand the requirements and can ensure your company remains compliant.

Why It Matters

Legal Requirement: All South African companies must register beneficial ownership information with CIPC.

Avoid Penalties: Non-compliance can result in fines and legal complications.

Business Credibility: Proper compliance enhances your company's reputation and trustworthiness.

Stay Updated: Beneficial ownership records must be kept current and updated when changes occur.

How We Can Help

Initial Registration

We help new companies register their beneficial ownership information with CIPC. Companies incorporated on or after 24 May 2023 must submit this information within 10 business days of incorporation. Our team ensures all required information is accurately collected and submitted on time.

Record Updates

When beneficial ownership changes occur (such as share transfers, new investors, or changes in control), we update your records with CIPC within 10 business days of the change, as required by law. For existing companies, beneficial ownership information is also submitted annually alongside your Annual Returns.

Ongoing Support

We provide ongoing support to help you maintain compliance, answer questions about beneficial ownership requirements, and ensure your records stay up to date.

Our Process

1

Initial Consultation

We start by understanding your company structure, ownership details, and any specific circumstances that may affect beneficial ownership identification. This helps us determine exactly what information needs to be registered.

2

Information Collection

We guide you through collecting all necessary information about beneficial owners, including full name, date of birth, identity number (or passport for foreign nationals), physical or postal address, email address, phone number, extent of ownership or control, and certified copies of identification documents. We ensure all data is accurate and complete.

3

Registration & Submission

We prepare and submit all required documentation to CIPC on your behalf, ensuring that all forms are completed correctly and all information meets regulatory requirements.

4

Confirmation & Documentation

Once registration is complete, we provide you with confirmation and maintain copies of all documentation for your records. We also set up reminders for when updates may be needed.

Common Challenges We Solve

Understanding Complex Ownership Structures

Many companies have complex ownership structures with multiple layers of entities, trusts, or holding companies. Determining who the ultimate beneficial owners are can be challenging. We help you navigate these complexities and identify all beneficial owners correctly.

Keeping Records Up to Date

Beneficial ownership information must be updated within 10 business days whenever changes occur, such as when shares are transferred, new investors come on board, or ownership percentages change. Additionally, existing companies must submit beneficial ownership information annually with their Annual Returns. We help you stay on top of these requirements and ensure timely updates.

Meeting CIPC Requirements

CIPC has specific requirements for how beneficial ownership information must be submitted, including required formats, documentation, and deadlines. Our team is familiar with all current requirements and ensures your submissions meet these standards.

Avoiding Compliance Issues

Non-compliance with beneficial ownership requirements can result in penalties, fines, and potential legal complications. We help you avoid these issues by ensuring accurate, timely, and complete submissions from the start.

Why Choose MUTAG HOUSE for Beneficial Ownership Services?

Expert Knowledge

Our team understands South African company law and CIPC requirements, ensuring your beneficial ownership registration is handled correctly.

Time Saving

We handle all the paperwork and submissions on your behalf, saving you valuable time that you can focus on running your business.

Accuracy Guaranteed

We ensure all information is accurate and complete before submission, reducing the risk of rejections or compliance issues.

Ongoing Support

We don't just register your information once – we provide ongoing support to help you maintain compliance over time.

Need Help with Beneficial Ownership?

Don't let beneficial ownership compliance become a challenge. Our team is here to help you navigate the requirements and ensure your company stays compliant.

Get Started Today Chat on WhatsApp

Email: info@mutag.co.za | Phone: +27729572238