(Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
Filing your company’s annual return with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) prevents your company from being deregistered. When a company fails to submit an annual return the CIPC will automatically assume that your company is no longer trading. Registering with the CIPC and filing returns is an annual obligation of the Companies Act.
Who/What Is CIPC
CIPC is the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and contains the details of all companies and close corporations that have been registered in South Africa. The CIPC is responsible for storing certain information relating to the companies such as who the directors are.
The functions of the CIPC are:
Registration of Companies, Co-operatives and Intellectual Property Rights (trade marks, patents, designs and copyright) and maintenance thereof
Disclosure of Information on its business registers
Promotion of education and awareness of Company and Intellectual Property Law
Promotion of compliance with relevant legislation
Efficient and effective enforcement of relevant legislation
Monitoring compliance with and contraventions of financial reporting standards, and making recommendations thereto to Financial Reporting Standards Council (FRSC)
Licensing of Business rescue practitioners
Report, research and advise Minister on matters of national policy relating to company and intellectual property law
When should I file my CIPC returns?
Your CIPC registration documentation is valid for 12 months from your date of registration. After your 12 months has elapsed, you have 30 days to submit your return before your company is enters the de-registration process and is no longer considered a juristic entity. The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission does send out reminders, via email or SMS, when your return anniversary is approaching.
How Can We Help You?
By law, companies are required to maintain records and statutory books within the parameters defined by the Companies Act. Our team can help you fulfil these obligations and offers the full range of services required to start a company and make any changes thereto which include:
Formation of new companies
Conversions of CC’s
Maintenance of statutory records – updating director details etc.
Amendments to statutory details – changing directors, shareholders etc.
Annual CIPC submissions
Assistance with all CIPC matters