By Brenda Jacobs (Managing Director), The Tax Shop Johannesburg South East
We would like to bring to your attention the recent CIPC Customer Notice No. 36 of 2026 regarding the verification of Beneficial Ownership (BO) compliance requirements. The notice confirms that the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) will be conducting inspections to verify the accuracy and completeness of Beneficial Ownership information submitted by registered entities.
Key points from the notice:
• CIPC is mandated to collect and maintain Beneficial Ownership information in accordance with applicable legislation.
• The Commission will conduct both physical and virtual inspections to verify compliance with Beneficial Ownership filing requirements.
• Company directors and, where applicable, members of entities are required to attend inspections and participate in the process personally. Representatives, consultants, or administrators cannot attend in their place.
• During inspections, entities may be required to provide access to Beneficial Ownership records, securities and beneficial interest registers, shareholding structures, director registers, and supporting documentation relating to ultimate beneficial owners.
• Companies remain responsible for ensuring that their Beneficial Ownership information is accurate, complete, up to date, and submitted within the prescribed timeframes.
• Non-compliance may result in enforcement action, administrative penalties, compliance notices, and, in cases involving false or misleading information, potential criminal prosecution.
Given the increased focus on Beneficial Ownership compliance, we encourage all businesses to proactively review their records and compliance status to ensure they are inspection-ready.
Our team is available to conduct a comprehensive compliance review and provide an overview of your current Beneficial Ownership obligations, identify any potential gaps, and assist with remediation where required.
Should you require an assessment of your company’s compliance position or guidance on preparing for a potential CIPC inspection, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be pleased to assist in ensuring your records and filings meet the applicable regulatory requirements.
