Register a Company in South Africa
Free tools and plain-English guides for registering a Pty Ltd, NPC or sole proprietorship in South Africa. We don't sell registrations - we publish what the official CIPC fees actually are, what year-1 really costs, and where most service providers mark you up. 2026 CIPC fee data verified 2026-05-03.
Tools
Everything is free, no email required (the help form below is optional).
Year-1 Total Cost Calculator
What a Pty actually costs in year one - registration, banking, BEE, accounting, AR, sector regulators. Most guides skip everything past R175.
Sole Prop vs Pty Tax Break-Even
At what profit does a Pty save you tax? Runs the 2026 SARS brackets and shows the cross-over point.
Annual Return Fee + Penalty Calculator
Exact CIPC AR fee for your turnover bracket, including late penalties and how close you are to deregistration.
Best Business Bank Account Comparison
Capitec, TymeBank, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA, Discovery - independent comparison with Reddit user feedback.
CIPC Deregistration Reinstatement Wizard
Got deregistered in the 2025 mass-clearance? See what to file, in what order, and the total fee.
Beneficial Ownership Plain-English Wizard
Who counts as a 5% beneficial owner? Walk through your shareholders + control and see who CIPC needs filed.
Do I Need a Tax Clearance / TCS PIN?
Tenders, BEE, FX, immigration, CSD - which of your situations actually requires a TCS PIN today.
Step-by-step guides
The honest version - including what guides paid by registration services tend to leave out.
How to Register a Pty Ltd in South Africa (2026 Step-by-Step)
Honest 2026 walkthrough of registering a Pty (Ltd) in South Africa. BizPortal vs CIPC eServices, real costs, what to do after CIPC, and where most first-time founders go wrong.
BizPortal vs CIPC eServices: Which Should You Use? (2026)
BizPortal and CIPC eServices both register companies. BizPortal is faster and cheaper for simple SA-citizen Ptys. eServices is the only path for foreign directors, complex MOIs, and most post-registration changes. Plain-English comparison.
Company Registration Cost in South Africa: What You'll Actually Pay (2026)
The R175 CIPC fee is just the start. Real year-1 cost of a Pty Ltd in South Africa includes name reservation, banking fees, BEE affidavit, accounting, COID, UIF/PAYE, and CIPC annual return. Full breakdown with calculator.
CIPC Annual Return Fees 2026: Cost, Penalties and What Happens If You Miss It
CIPC Annual Returns 2026: fees scale R100-R3,000 by turnover. Miss two and CIPC starts deregistration. SARS keeps charging penalties for years after - even if you closed the company. Full fee table, late penalties, reinstatement, and how to get out cleanly.
CIPC Deregistration Explained: Why It Happens and How to Get Your Company Back (2026)
In January 2025 CIPC began deregistering 800,000+ companies for missed Annual Returns and Beneficial Ownership filings. Here's what AR-deregistration means, how to check your status, and how to reinstate (R200 + catch-up).
Beneficial Ownership at CIPC: Plain-English Guide for Small Companies (2026)
Since May 2023, every SA company must file a Beneficial Ownership register with CIPC. Since 1 July 2024 you can't file your Annual Return without BO. Who counts as a 5% beneficial owner, what documents you need, and where to file.
Registering a Company Without a Name in South Africa (2026)
BizPortal lets you register a Pty without a name for R125. CIPC issues a registration number like K2026/123456/07 that you trade under until you reserve a real name. When it's smart, when it isn't.
Can Foreigners Register a Company in South Africa? (2026 Guide)
Yes - foreigners can register a SA Pty Ltd. You'll need a SA registered address, CIPC eServices (not BizPortal), and patience for SARS and bank KYC. Step-by-step for non-residents.
Shelf Companies in South Africa: When to Buy One (and When Not To) (2026)
A shelf company is a pre-registered Pty Ltd with no trading history. Service providers sell them for R3,000-R10,000+. Honest take on when it's worth it (rare) and when to just register a new Pty.
Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) Explained: Short vs Long Form (2026)
Your MOI is the rulebook for how your Pty operates. Short-form (CoR15.1A) is R175 and works for most SMEs. Long-form (CoR15.1B-E) is R475 and you only need it for partner agreements, share classes, or NPCs.
Central Supplier Database (CSD) Registration in South Africa (2026)
If you want to do business with the SA government, you must be on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). It's free, takes 1-2 weeks, and needs your CIPC, tax compliance, and bank account in place first.
How to Register a Non-Profit Company (NPC) in South Africa (2026)
An NPC is the SA equivalent of a non-profit corporation. R475 to register at CIPC (long-form MOI required), then NPO Directorate registration is separate and free. Plus 18A tax exemption is its own SARS application.
SARS After CIPC: Registered Representative + eFiling Setup (2026)
Just registered a Pty? CIPC gave you a tax number, but your company is not yet on your eFiling profile. This is the SARS-after-CIPC walkthrough most service providers gloss over: registered representative, public officer, VAT/PAYE/UIF, first ITR14.
How to Deregister a Company in South Africa (CIPC + SARS, 2026)
Closing a Pty Ltd in South Africa is brutal: CIPC takes 4-12 months, SARS keeps billing penalties for years. This walkthrough covers both processes, includes free letter templates, and explains the loan-account trap that blocks deregistration.
After You Register a Pty Ltd in SA: Complete Compliance Checklist (2026)
Just got your CIPC certificate? Here's everything else you must do - SARS registered representative, public officer, MOI, BO, AR, banking, BEE, COID, sector regulators. Printable checklist organised by deadline.
Personal Service Provider Tax Trap: Why Your Pty Might Cost You More (SA 2026)
If your Pty has one director, one client, and that's you delivering the work, SARS may classify you as a Personal Service Provider - taxed at 27% with almost no deductions. Plain-English explainer of section 11(d), how to test if you qualify, and how to avoid it.
CIPC Contact Details, Email Addresses, and Office Locations (2026)
Need to reach CIPC? Phone numbers, email addresses (per issue type), regional offices, banking details, and the escalation path when nobody answers. Updated 2026.
CIPC Company Name Change: Cost, Process, and Documents (2026)
Changing your registered company name with CIPC costs R30-R250 depending on the change. Step-by-step process, document checklist, common rejection reasons, and free shareholder resolution template.
CIPC iXBRL Annual Financial Statements: Who Must File and How (2026)
iXBRL is the digital format CIPC uses for company financial statements. Whether you must submit AFS, the Public Interest Score test, costs to convert, and the alternative if you're below the threshold.
Is CIPC Down Today? Login Issues, BizPortal Errors, and Workarounds (2026)
CIPC eServices and BizPortal go down or freeze frequently. Check status, common login errors, OTP problems, captcha mismatches, browser fixes, and what to do when you can't log in to file.
Apostille a CIPC Document for Overseas Use (DIRCO Process, 2026)
Need a CIPC certificate apostilled for a visa, foreign tender, or overseas business filing? Step-by-step DIRCO apostille process, what NOT to submit (PDF copies fail in many countries), high-court notarisation alternatives, and timing.
How to Look Up a Company at CIPC (Free Company Search, 2026)
How to look up any registered SA company by name, registration number, or director ID. Free public CIPC company search via BizProfile, what each status means (In Business, AR Deregistration, Final Deregistration), and what data you can extract.
Govchain vs SwiftReg vs Company Partners: Honest 2026 Review
Independent comparison of South Africa's three biggest Pty registration services - Govchain (R950), SwiftReg (R590), Company Partners (phone-quoted). Pricing, what's included, hidden upsells, modern UX scores.
How to Register for COIDA / Compensation Fund (South Africa, 2026)
COIDA registration is mandatory the moment you employ anyone in SA. Step-by-step CF-1E filing, Return of Earnings (ROE), Letter of Good Standing, and what each industry pays as a percentage of payroll.
How to Register for PAYE, UIF and SDL (SARS, 2026)
Once you employ anyone in SA, you must register for PAYE, UIF and (if payroll over R500k/year) SDL. Step-by-step eFiling registration, monthly EMP201 filing, six-monthly EMP501 reconciliation, and common rejections.
VAT Registration in South Africa: When and How (2026)
VAT is mandatory above R1m turnover, voluntary above R50k. Step-by-step SARS eFiling registration, what SARS asks for in verification, and the trap of voluntary VAT below the threshold.
Public Officer for Your Pty: Companies Act Section 246 Explained (2026)
Every company in SA must appoint a public officer within 30 days of registration (Companies Act s246). Plain-English explainer of the role, how to appoint yourself, what they're liable for, and how this differs from the SARS registered representative.
How to Add a Director at CIPC (Form CoR39, 2026)
Adding a director to your Pty? Form CoR39 at CIPC, R100 fee, what documents are needed, and timing. Plus the SARS update step most guides miss.
How to Remove or Resign a Director at CIPC (Form CoR39, 2026)
Removing a director or resigning from a Pty? Form CoR39, the resignation letter, shareholder requirements, and how to protect yourself from ongoing liability after stepping down.
Issuing Share Certificates and the Share Register at a Pty (2026)
Every SA Pty must keep a share register and issue share certificates to shareholders. Plain-English explainer of the share register, certificate format, when to issue/transfer, and free downloadable templates.
Amending Your MOI: Process and Cost (CIPC, 2026)
Need to change your Memorandum of Incorporation? Special resolution requirements, R80-R250 CIPC fee depending on amendment type, and what an MOI amendment actually changes versus a new MOI.
How Long Does CIPC Take? Real 2026 Turnaround Times
Honest breakdown of CIPC turnaround times by transaction: Pty registration, name reservation, AR filing, deregistration, reinstatement, MOI changes. Official SLA vs observed reality, and what to do when CIPC misses deadlines.
Voluntary Deregistration vs Liquidation vs Business Rescue: Which Path? (2026)
Three ways out of a SA Pty: voluntary deregistration (cheap, slow, must be solvent), liquidation (insolvent companies, formal court process), or business rescue (Chapter 6, save a struggling but viable business). Plain-English comparison with cost and timing.
CIPC Customer Code: What It Is and How to Get One (2026)
The CIPC Customer Code is a six-character ID you need to file anything at CIPC. How to register one (free), why it matters, what to do if you've forgotten it, and how it differs from your company registration number.
CIPC Name Reservation: Cost, Process and Status Tracking (2026)
How to reserve a name at CIPC: R50 online, 24-hour to 5-day turnaround, valid 6 months. Plus how to track your reservation status, common rejection reasons, and what to do when it lapses.
BizPortal vs Paying a Service: When Each Makes Sense (2026)
BizPortal direct is R175. Govchain is R950. SwiftReg is R590. Honest decision guide for when DIY BizPortal is enough, when paying a service genuinely saves you time, and when you'd be flushing money.
By industry
CIPC alone doesn't let you trade in most industries. Each page below maps the full stack - sector regulator, BEE, COID, banking - and what time-to-trade actually looks like.
How to register a security company
A registered security company in South Africa needs more than a CIPC certificate.
How to register a construction company
Construction is one of the most paperwork-heavy stacks in South Africa.
How to register a cleaning company
Cleaning is one of the easier stacks to set up: no sector regulator like PSIRA or CIDB, but the BEE and tender side matters because cleaning contracts are heavily B2B and government.
How to register a transport / trucking company
Transport companies need a Pty plus an operating licence regulated by the National Land Transport Act (NLTA).
How to register a catering company
Catering combines a standard Pty with municipal Certificate of Acceptability for any premises that handles food.
How to register a restaurant
A restaurant is essentially a catering company with fixed premises and (usually) a liquor licence.
How to register a it / software company
IT and software companies have one of the lightest regulatory stacks in South Africa - there's no sector regulator like PSIRA or CIDB.
How to register a electrical contractor
An electrical contractor needs a Pty plus a Department of Employment and Labour registration as an Electrical Contractor (under OHSA Regulations).
Other OurPower tools you'll want
This page is general guidance, not legal or tax advice. CIPC fees and SARS rules change - figures verified 2026-05-03. For your specific situation, talk to an accountant or attorney.