Company Registration
Everything you need to start an official company
- R 750
- 24Hrs
Fast Biz Registration Leaders in Fast Company Registration
Do you need to do Company Registration in South Africa? Join our list of thousands of happy Clients who register a Company successfully through us! It is easy and fast. We also offer Discounted Packages for complete Tender Compliance.
Easy Requirements for our 24-Hour Company Registrations:
We need your (1) ID Number / Passport; (2) Home or Business Address in SA. (3) Three business name options .That is all we need to register your company within 24-hours.
Register Non Profit
(NPO Registration in South Africa R1200) (NPC & NPO Combo R1700)
- R 1200
- 3 -6 Weeks
Our specialists will Register a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) for you at the Department of Social Development.
A Nonprofit Organisation (NPO) is an organisation that uses its surplus revenues to further achieve its purpose or ‘mission’, rather than distributing its surplus income to the Organisation’s Directors / Shareholders (or equivalents) as profit or dividends. We can assist with your Non Profit Organisation (NPO) Registration.
Our NPO Registration Service will:
*Help you create trust with your donors.
*Promote better access to government or corporate funding.
NPO Registration
*NPO Number
*Requirements: (1) Non-Profit Company (NPC); (2) ID Number / Passport; (3) Address in SA
NPC & NPO Combo
*NPC Registration at CIPC
*NPO Number
*Requirements: (1) ID Number / Passport; (2) Address in SA
Annual Returns
Calculate and file your CIPC annual returns online
- TBC
- 3 Days
What is an Annual Return
An annual return is a small yearly fee, paid to the Registrar of Companies, to make certain that your company is still active and to keep it registered.
Must I pay it?
Yes, you are legally required to pay it every year, on the anniversary of the date that the company was started. If you fail to pay it penalties are added. If you continually fail to pay it your company will become deregistered.
Time it takes?
Annual returns are completed within one business day after receiving payment.
Costs
Fast Biz Reg fees are R350 + the CIPC Fees for an Annual Return. Past years that remain unpaid are R100 per year.
But I am not using my company?
If your company has no assets and you don’t want it any more, then do not pay. It will eventually cease to exist. If you have property, assets or liabilities under this company, you must pay it. Deregistration under these circumstances will become a great headache to you, and the results can take months to resolve.
Register Incorporation
We assist with the incorporation of SA companies.
- R 1700
- 3 -6 Weeks
What is an Incorporation?
A Incorporation is basically the same as a private company which we know as Pty Ltd. However the Incorporation are exclusively used to register professionals such as accountants, lawyers and practises.
Do you have to register your Incorporation for Income Tax number?
No, you will receive a Income Tax number automatically from Cipc.
Will I receive a Tax Clearance when I register an Incorporation?
No, In order for you to obtain tax clearance you will have to apply for a tax clearance with South African Revenue Service (SARS). Remember when applying for the tax clearance you have to open a business bank account at South African Revenue Service (SARS) they will require the business banking details. They will also need the income tax number for the company which was issued to you when your companies registration was done.
Must you apply every year for a tax clearance certificate?
Once you receive your tax clearance certificate weather you did it yourself or you had a professional company assist you to obtain one. Your tax clearance certificate will be valid for one year. Remember tax clearance certificate is mainly to say that your company are clear from all taxes.
Can I apply for a bee certificate or bee affidavit for the Incorporation?
Yes you certainly can. All companies with a turnover of less than R50 million per year can use a BEE affidavit. Companies with an annual turnover of more than R50 million per year need to apply for BEE certificate.
Does the bee certificate or the bee affidavit last forever or does it have to be renewed?
No unfortunately It does not last forever. The bee certificate or the bee affidavit has to be renewed every year.
Can there be amendments done on the Incorporation after It has been registered?
Yes definitely once the company has been registered various changes can be done on the incorporation.
Will I be able to apply for a Vat number once my company is registered?
In order for you to register for a Vat number your companies turnover should exceed R50 000 per annum.
Can foreigners also register an Incorporations?
Yes if you are a foreigner you can also register an Incorporation as long as you have a valid passport.
Co-Op Registration
Register your Co–operative within the quickest time
- R 1690
- 2 Weeks
What is a Co-op?
A Co-op is a registered legal entity which is owned and run by its members. Each member has one vote regardless of how many shares they own which makes it more democratic in terms of managing the company. It is important to be aware that members can have differing amounts of shareholding which could result in differing amounts of shares in the profits.
What types of Co-ops are there?
There are 4 types of Co-ops namely: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Apex.
How many members can there be on a Co-op
You need a minimum of 5 members to register a Co-op, two of whom must be appointed as directors. Co-ops can have employees who are not members.
Can a Pty be a member of a Co-op
Yes, but then there must be a minimum of two companies. The companies will have the same voting rights as the other members.
What is the Patronage Principle
This is when the profits are paid out according to the amount of business each member does with the Co-op and not according to the amount of shareholding.
What planning should be done before registering a Co-op
Planning is an essential element of any Co-op’s success. For example: How many shares must be authorised? What value should the Par Value shares be fixed at? Should the members raise the money by contributing to shares or using the entrance fee or both? Once you have resolved these questions you should draw up a business plan and familiarise yourself with the standard constitution for your specific industry, before you register your Co-op.
Should we draw up our own constitution
It is not necessary as CIPC has drafted 6 different standard sector constitution which cover all industry types, you need only select the most appropriate one.
Does my Co-op need an auditor
Only if the annual turnover exceeds R25 million. However, CIPC requires annual returns to be paid which will depend on the turnover of your Co-op.
Company Directors Change
Add, remove or update your company directors
- R500
- 15 Days
Why do companies change directors?
There are a number of reasons to change the directors of a company such as a change in management, the a sale of the company or even death.
Who appoints the directors of a company?
The shareholders (owners) of the company appoint the directors of the company to act in their best interest. The director on the other hand issue the share certificates to the shareholders.
Company Address Change
Change your registered company address
- R 450
- 10 Days
Why is the registered address so important?
This is the address where all legal notices are served.
Can I update my registered address and my residential address with CIPC at the same time?
No, CIPC has two separate applications, one for the companies registered address (CoR 21.1) and another to update the director’s residential address (CoR 39)
Who is responsible for updating the registered address?
The directors are responsible for all statutory updates of the company including the updating of the companies registered address.
Are there penalties for not updating the company’s registered address?
Yes, the directors can be held liable for a fine or even face prosecution if the registered address is not kept up to date.
- R700
- 10 Days
How do you change a company name?
Starts with the submission of 4 proposed names for approval to CIPC. Once the new name is approved, it needs to be resubmitted to CIPC to do the company name change. The name approval is an online digital process – provided the names are not rejected by CIPC.
How long does it take to change a company name?
It is fairly simple process and usually between 1 to 2 working days. However, if all of the names are rejected by CIPC, this adds costs and delays the process as another 4 names will need to be submitted for approval.
How long does it take to get a proposed company name approved?
It shouldn’t take more than a day, unless your proposed company names are rejected – if that is the case the 4 new names need to be submitted to CIPC as well as the additional costs.
Trademark Registration
Register a trademark to protect your brand
- R2850
- TBC
How long does it take to register a trademark in South Africa?
It can take anything from six months to a year to register a trademark in South Africa.
Do you need a logo for a trademark?
You do not need a logo for a trademark. You can register a word, slogan or name as a trademark. If you have a logo you would like to register then Fast Biz Reg can design one for you. A trademark application is not just for logos. It is not compulsory to have a logo in order to apply for a trademark, this is your decision and you can decide on how you would like to protect your company be it just the name or slogan, or both.
Can a word be trademarked?
A word can be trademarked. A trademark can be a word, slogan, phrase or logo. You can also register these as one trademark application. Even though the company is registered, it does not mean that someone can trademark a similar name to the already registered company. This can happen if the person is a sole proprietor; they will be using their name but then will create their own trade as name that they will try to trademark, if they submit this application before you then the chances are they will be approved. There is further legality that go into matters such as these. We always advise, rather be safe than sorry.
How do I trademark a word?
To trademark a word, the process will be the same. Any submission, be it a word, slogan or logo the application will be the same. You will apply for the word trademark application online and select the class that you would like the word trademark protected under.
Do you trademark or copyright a logo?
You do not copy right a logo, you will need to trademark a logo. The reason behind this is that copyrighting is to protect literary and artistic works. These would include videos and books etc. A Trademark is used to protect a company brand, slogan, name, or logo etc.
Should I trademark my business name?
You should trademark your business name after the company is registered through Fast Biz Reg. The name will be protected from another company registration but it will not be protected if someone tries to trade under your name, meaning they do not register their company with CIPC. They can try to submit a trademark application if you have not, and in most cases will be approved. The best way to protect your brand would be to register the company, then register the trademark which will include the name, slogan, logo etc.
How do I trademark a catch phrase?
You can trademark a catch phrase, which can also be referred to as a slogan. “Finger Lickin’ Good” from KFC is a good example.
How long does a trademark last?
A trademark will last ten years. After the 10 years passes, you can apply to renew your trademark.
Can I use the TM symbol without registering?
You cannot use the TM symbol without registering.
What are the three types of trademarks?
Word mark, logo or slogan.
Print Share Certificate
Share Certificate for all Shareholders
- R 550
- 1 Day
What is a Share Certificate?
A share certificate is legal proof of ownership of a company. Its a signed document, signed by the directors of the company, and shows information such as the Name and Surname of the individual, the ID number of the person, residential address, the quantity of shares owned and the actual share numbers owned.
It is supposed to match the share register, a particular series of documents, that specify who has the share certificates, which ones have been cancelled and which are active.
Share certificates are not issued by CIPC the registrar of companies, nor does CIPC keep track of the ownership of your company at the present time. They keep track of directors, namely people responsible for the company legally and appointed by the shareholders. Subsequently all share certificates, share registers are supposed to be maintained by the directors of the company in a company register.
MOI Changes
Amendments of certain sections of the MOI
- R 1090
- 3 Weeks
What is an MOI?
MOI stands for the Memorandum of Incorporation and is the documents which sets out the rules of conduct for the directors and shareholders on how to govern the company.
What are the main elements of an MOI?
The main elements of the MOI set out the rights, duties and responsibilities of the directors and shareholders as how they should run the company. It is also an effective tool to hold directors and the owners accountable .
Can you change an MOI?
Yes you can, however any changes to the MOI may not be in conflict with the Companies Acts. If, for some reason, the new rules are in conflict with the New Companies Act then the Act will always take precedence in the ruling over the MOI.
What is the Short MOI?
The standard MOI or CoR 15.1A for private companies has been drafted by CIPC and is referred to as the short MOI. The benefit of using the short MOI for a new company registration is that it is compliant with Act as there are no options available for modification. It is a simplified MOI which means that it is more cost effective. So logically most newly registered (Pty) Ltd use the short MOI to register their companies.
What is the Long MOI?
Currently the most common reason to modify the standard MOI is for Non Profit companies to include the tax exemption clause. The second most common change is to convert the old Articles of Association and Memorandum of Understanding to the new MOI. This is only applicable to private companies registered before 1 May 2011.
How do I change the old Articles to the new MOI?
This is a two-step process – the first of which is the conversion of the Par Value Share into Non Par Value shares. Once this process is complete, we continue with standard procedure to adopt the new MOI.
Why do companies registered before 1 May 2011 want to adopt the new MOI?
The primary reason is that the old Articles of Association and Memorandum of Understanding require all private companies to be audited. This is a very costly exercise which most companies would prefer to avoid. The new Act requires companies to be audited only if their Public Interest Score is more than 300 points – which is a tiny fraction of private companies. To bring the company rules in line with the new audit requirement most companies adopt the new MOI.
Change Financial Year End
Entered your Financial end date incorrectly?
- R 450
- 3 Weeks
Is a financial year the same as a tax year?
Yes and no. Strictly speaking a financial year refers to companies while a tax year refers to both individuals and companies. In South African the dates for a tax year for individuals are set and permanently run from 1 March to the last day of February the following calendar year. Companies, however, can choose which month they would like to start their financial year which runs for twelve consecutive months from that date. A company’s financial year will become its tax year and this is how the terms are often used interchangeably.
What is the financial year in South Africa?
A financial year for companies runs for 12 consecutive months. A company can choose the month when it would like to start its financial year which will run for twelve consecutive months. The company must complete all of its financial statements before the financial year ends and lodge them with the tax authorities to determine the amount of tax due. The financial year must be registered with CIPC. Most companies choose to coincide the company’s financial year with the tax year for individuals as this simplifies the tax calculations.
What is the definition of a financial year?
A financial year is a consecutive 12 month period during which time a company must complete it financial statements.
Can a company choose when to start its financial year?
Yes in South Africa, companies can choose when to start their financial year. This is very useful as certain companies are seasonal in nature, for example farmers or companies in the tourism industry. This will allow these companies to complete their financial year end when the business is not so busy allowing owners to focus on stock takes, closing off their books and finalising the financial records. Individuals cannot change their tax year.
Why do most company choose the financial year to start on 1 March?
This is to simplify their employees tax calculations as individuals tax year runs from the 1 March to the end of February in the next calendar year. This is referred to as the individuals tax year. The tax tables are adjusted each year during the budget speech. If the company does not synchronize their financial year with the individual tax year the company will have to apply the old tax tables up to the end of February and then the new tax tables from the 1 March during their financial year.
Can you change your financial year end?
Yes, but only once during the financial year. It can also not be extended for longer than 15 months from the original start date, so in effect you cannot extend the financial year for longer than 3 months. The financial year can also not be back dated.
Change CIPC Contact
Change your CIPC contact details
- R 400
- 10 Days
A company can change its contact with the CIPC by filing a notice of change of contact with the CIPC. Should you have any further questions about your company’s registered office or any other questions related to company reg, contact our offices so we may set up a consultation to address your concerns and assist in having any questions resolved.
Company Conversion
Some companies types can be converted from one type to another.
- R 1700
- 2-4 Weeks
CIPC – CLOSE CORPORATION CONVERSION TO A COMPANY
Close Corporations (CCs) were attractive in the past as they had the advantage of incorporation with lower costs and simpler administration, however, it is no longer possible to register CC according to legislation. They were discontinued in order to streamline the differences between CC’s and companies and make the private company a more attractive form of business enterprise, going forward.
CCs are still allowed to carry on business as a CC provided it existed before 1 May 2011, however, there are benefits to converting a CC to a private company.
When you convert a CC to a Private Company the following changes will take place:
– Your company will now have the words ‘Pty (Ltd)‘ at the end of its name instead of ‘CC’.
– The current members will become the Company Directors.
– New directors, that were not a member of the CC, can also be appointed.
– Some or all of the directors will have a number of shares in the company.
– Your company owners will now become shareholders and each will receive a certain amount of shares.