CIPC Automates Reinstatement Applications for Companies and Close Corporations.
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has launched a fully digital process for reinstatement applications for companies and close corporations, marking a significant step toward modernising business services in South Africa.
All applications to reinstate a deregistered entity using Form CoR 40.5 must be submitted through CIPC eServices, BizPortal, or via self-service terminals.
The previous email address (re-instatements@cipc.co.za) has been officially discontinued and will no longer accept submissions.
Under the updated system, applicants are no longer required to upload supporting documents unless they are submitting a court order. In such cases, court orders are uploaded and processed at no cost. The reinstatement fee remains set at R200, payable electronically via the CIPC card payment facility.
Importantly, only those companies or close corporations that were either operational or held economic value at the time of deregistration qualify for reinstatement. Evidence of such must be retained and presented if requested, in compliance with Companies Regulation 168.
Entities that successfully reinstate must file all outstanding Annual Returns, Beneficial Ownership Declarations, and Audited Financial Statements/Financial Accountability Supplements (AFS/FAS) within 30 business days of reinstatement. Failure to do so may result in another deregistration.
While businesses with pending manual submissions may still apply electronically, they should be cautious: duplicate processing or billing could occur, and CIPC will not issue refunds or cancel any manual applications already lodged.
Should you require professional advice in this regard do not hesitate to contact our offices.
How AI Can Streamline Administration and Accounting in SMEs.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to cut costs, improve efficiency, and reduce administrative burdens. From automating invoices to predicting cash flow, AI is reshaping the way smaller businesses manage their back offices.
Accounting tasks, traditionally a time-consuming drain on resources, are among the most promising areas for AI adoption. Machine learning tools can now categorise expenses, flag anomalies, and reconcile bank transactions in real time. This not only reduces human error but also frees up business owners and finance teams to focus on strategic decision-making rather than manual bookkeeping.
Payroll and compliance are also being transformed. AI-powered systems can track regulatory changes, calculate tax obligations, and ensure timely filings—critical functions for SMEs that often lack dedicated compliance officers. Automated reminders and digital assistants help reduce the risk of costly fines or missed deadlines.
On the administrative side, AI chatbots are taking over routine queries from employees and customers alike, while natural language processing tools can draft reports, schedule meetings, and handle internal documentation. Combined, these applications reduce the paperwork that frequently overwhelms small business managers.
Perhaps most significantly, predictive analytics is giving SMEs access to insights once reserved for large corporations. AI tools can forecast sales trends, model cash flow, and provide real-time dashboards that guide better financial planning. This visibility allows smaller firms to anticipate challenges and allocate resources more effectively.
While concerns remain about data privacy and the upfront investment in new technologies, early adopters are already seeing returns. According to recent surveys, SMEs using AI in finance report faster turnaround times, improved accuracy, and lower overhead costs.
As AI becomes more affordable and accessible, experts predict it will move from being a competitive advantage to a basic requirement for SMEs striving to survive and grow in an increasingly digital economy.
IRR Warns Parliament Against SARB Amendment Bill.
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has called on Parliament to reject the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Amendment Bill, arguing that it is unconstitutional and economically unsound.
The bill, first introduced in 2018 by Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, proposes the expropriation of SARB shareholders without compensation. According to the IRR, although the financial value of the shares is relatively low—around R20 million—the measure would set a precedent for wider expropriation without compensation in South Africa.
Currently, SARB shareholders receive a fixed dividend of R1,000 annually and are entitled to elect seven of the bank’s 15 directors. The IRR argues that this mixed ownership model has contributed to the bank’s ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate of keeping inflation between 3% and 6% for more than two decades.
The organisation contrasted this record with the poor performance of many state-owned enterprises under full state control. It questioned the rationale for centralising control of the Reserve Bank when government has acknowledged the need for more public–private partnerships elsewhere.
The IRR submission to Parliament also notes that, under Companies Regulation 168, reinstated entities must file outstanding annual returns, beneficial ownership declarations, and financial statements within 30 business days. Failure to do so risks deregistration once again.
The group further stated that the amendment appears to be driven by ideological objectives, pointing to the broader policy agenda of nationalising land, banks, and mines. It warned that weakening the Reserve Bank’s independence could undermine monetary stability and harm investor confidence.
The IRR urged lawmakers to vote against the bill, cautioning that its passage could damage South Africa’s economic outlook and weaken the protection of property rights.
National Treasury and SARB Publish 2025 Draft Tax Bills and Regulations for Comment.
On 16 August 2025, National Treasury and SARS released the 2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB), Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB), and revised VAT regulations for public comment. These proposals give effect to tax measures announced in the 2025 Budget Review and the May 2025 Budget Overview.
Key proposals in the Draft TLAB include:
- Corporate reorganisation rules — Removal of certain asset-for-share and amalgamation exemptions to limit tax avoidance by collective investment schemes.
- Foreign retirement funds — Removal of current exemptions, making benefits taxable in South Africa based on residence (subject to double tax treaties).
- Assessed losses — Stricter ring-fencing rules to curb misuse by non-commercial activities.
- Hybrid equity instruments — Clarification that instruments classified as debt under IFRS will also be treated as debt for tax purposes.
- VAT treatment — Removal of the tax-free threshold for low-value imports, clarification of VAT on vouchers, and adjustments to export zero-rating.
- Carbon tax (Phase 2) — Extension of energy efficiency incentives, retention of electricity neutrality until 2030, increased offset allowance, and higher rates for emissions above carbon budgets.
Key proposals in the Draft TALAB include:
- Express deliveries — Simplified customs entry introduced for parcels under R500.
- Manufacturing waste and scrap — New duty rebates allowed under specified conditions.
- Customs compliance — Introduction of a voluntary disclosure programme for customs and excise.
- Registration processes — Broader inspection powers granted to SARS at application stage.
- Penalty framework — Clearer definition of bona fide inadvertent errors for understatement penalties.
- Reverse charge regime — Revised definitions of “residue” and “valuable metal” to improve implementation.
