Beneficial Ownership in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve started a business in South Africa, you’ll need to complete a Beneficial Ownership (BO) application with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).

Many business owners only realise they need to do this when they try to file their CIPC Annual Returns—but by then, it is already too late and can cause delays and frustration.

To keep your business compliant and stress-free, here’s everything you need to know about the CIPC Beneficial Ownership application, including what it is, when to submit it, how to do it, and what happens if you don’t.

What is a Beneficial Ownership Application?

A Beneficial Ownership application is a required submission that tells CIPC who really owns or controls your company.

Every company has owners and directors, but sometimes, the real control is in the hands of someone who isn’t listed as a director on official records.

This is where Beneficial Ownership comes in—it ensures that CIPC knows who the ultimate decision-makers are.

Who is a Beneficial Owner?

A beneficial owner is:

Anyone who owns 5% or more of the company’s shares.
An individual who directly or indirectly benefits from the company’s profits.

Here’s an example to put it into perspective:

A company is registered in the name of one person (a director), but the real decision-maker is someone else who isn’t officially listed as an owner.

That second person is a beneficial owner and must be declared in the BO application.

When Must You Submit a Beneficial Ownership Application?

You must submit your BO application at 2 key times:

1. Right After Registering Your Company

You have 10 working days after registering your company to submit your first Beneficial Ownership application.

There are no penalties if you don’t do it immediately, but it’s best to complete it early to keep your records up to date.

2. Before Filing Your CIPC Annual Returns

Every company must submit a BO application once a year before filing their CIPC Annual Returns.

Your Annual Return due date is based on your company’s registration month.

So, for example:

If your Annual Return is due in October 2025, you must submit your BO application anytime between January 2025 and October 2025—but it must be done before your annual returns deadline.

Best Practice for Business Owners

CIPC consultants recommend submitting your BO application at the start of each year.

This helps businesses avoid the last-minute rush and ensures that their compliance is taken care of in advance.

How to Submit a Beneficial Ownership Application Online

Filing a Beneficial Ownership application is a simple process, but many business owners find it time-consuming—especially if they’re already dealing with other compliance tasks.

Here’s how you can submit it yourself:

Step 1: Log Into CIPC e-Services

Visit CIPC e-Services and log in with your account details.

Step 2: Find the Beneficial Ownership Section

Look for the Beneficial Ownership submission tab.

Step 3: Enter Beneficial Owner Details

Fill in the details of all beneficial owners, including:

Full name
ID number or passport number
Percentage of ownership or control
Contact details

Step 4: Submit & Save Your Records

Always be sure to double-check all your details before submitting.

Submit the application and keep a copy for your records, in case you ever need it.

What Happens If You Don’t Submit a BO Application?

Many business owners forget about this step until they try to file their Annual Returns—and then they can’t. This is a big problem and can cause A LOT of unnecessary stress.

If you don’t file your beneficial ownership, you won’t be able to file your CIPC Annual Returns, which can result in:

Late penalties from the CIPC.
Your business being flagged as non-compliant.
Risk of company deregistration.

Since CIPC doesn’t send reminders, many businesses miss the deadline without realising.

The Fastest & Easiest Way to Submit Your BO Application

Submitting a CIPC Beneficial Ownership application might seem simple, but the reality is different.

Many business owners struggle with…

Technical issues on CIPC’s website.
Missing information or errors that delay the process.
Forgetting to update their BO details before their Annual Returns are due.

That’s why Govchain is the best way to file your Beneficial Ownership hassle-free.

We handle the process for you, getting it done quickly and accurately.
No more missed deadlines—we send reminders so you never forget.
Avoid costly mistakes—our experts make sure your application is 100% correct.

Instead of struggling with CIPC’s online system, Govchain takes care of everything for you—so you can focus on running your business.

This isn’t something to ignore

The Beneficial Ownership application is an essential compliance step for all registered companies in South Africa.

By submitting it early in the year, you can avoid delays, penalties, and the risk of non-compliance.

For a fast and hassle-free process, Govchain makes Beneficial Ownership compliance easy—so you never have to worry about missing deadlines.