CIPC Deregistration Reinstatement Wizard
In January 2025 CIPC began deregistering 800,000+ entities for missed Annual Returns and Beneficial Ownership filings. If you're one of them, this wizard walks the path back. The math depends on your status (AR-deregistered is cheap; final-deregistered needs a court order).
Your reinstatement path
- File Beneficial Ownership first. CIPC won't accept your Annual Return without it (since 1 July 2024). File at eservices.cipc.co.za. Free. Use our BO Wizard if you're not sure who counts.
- File catch-up Annual Returns (2 year(s)). Each at the late penalty: R150 per year = R300 total. Filed at annualreturns.cipc.co.za.
- File Form CoR40.5 (Application for Re-instatement). Cost: R200. You'll need: a certified copy of your ID, proof the company was actively trading at deregistration (bank statement, lease, customer invoice), and a motivation letter.
- Wait 4-12 weeks for CIPC to process. Status updates on BizPortal as you go.
- Once reinstated: file the current year's AR, update SARS that you're back, and reactivate your bank account if it was frozen.
| Catch-up AR (2 year(s) at late penalty) | R300 |
| CoR40.5 reinstatement fee | R200 |
| Beneficial Ownership filing | R0 (free) |
| Total CIPC fees | R500 |
This is the official-route cost. Service providers typically add R1,500-R3,500 in facilitation fees if you outsource the filing.
How to check your status
- Go to bizportal.gov.za.
- Use the public BizProfile search (or the "Enterprise Enquiry" link).
- Search by company name or registration number.
- Look at the "Status" field in the result.
Statuses you might see: In Business (you're fine), AR Deregistration Process (recoverable cheaply), Final AR Deregistration (still recoverable, act quickly), Final Deregistration (needs court order), In Liquidation / In Business Rescue (separate processes).
Related
CIPC fees verified 2026-05-03. This is a planning tool, not legal advice. For final-deregistration cases or complex reinstatements, talk to an attorney.