How to Use the CIPC Company Fee Calculator 2026 - Registration Costs SA

Before incorporating a company or filing an annual return in South Africa, it helps to know exactly what CIPC will charge. The CIPC Company Fee Calculator gives you an instant estimate of registration costs, annual return fees, and other CIPC transaction charges — so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises when your application is submitted.

CIPC Fee Structure in 2026: What You Are Paying For

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) charges fees for most transactions under the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act. The main fee categories are:

1. Company Registration Fees

Company Type	Registration Fee
Private Company (Pty) Ltd — standard MOI	R175
Private Company (Pty) Ltd — customised MOI	R475
Non-Profit Company (NPC) — standard MOI	R175
Non-Profit Company (NPC) — customised MOI	R475
Personal Liability Company (Inc.)	R175
Public Company (Ltd)	R475

Using the standard MOI (Memorandum of Incorporation) pre-approved by CIPC is cheaper and faster. If your shareholders require specific provisions (unusual share classes, pre-emptive rights modifications), a customised MOI is necessary and costs more.

2. Name Reservation Fees

Reserving a company name before registration costs R50 per name. You may reserve up to three names in order of preference with a single application. The reservation is valid for 6 months; it does not guarantee CIPC will accept the name — they will check it against existing registered names and trademarks.

3. Annual Return Fees

All registered South African companies and close corporations must file annual returns with CIPC every year. Late filing results in penalties and ultimately deregistration. The annual return fee is based on the company's annual turnover:

Annual Turnover	Annual Return Fee
R0 (dormant)	R100
R1 - R999,999	R100
R1 million - R10 million	R450
R10 million - R25 million	R2,000
R25 million - R50 million	R3,000
Above R50 million	Contact CIPC

Note: these figures are approximate and are subject to annual adjustment by CIPC. Use the calculator for the current published rates.

4. Other Common CIPC Fees

• Director/member amendment: R150
• Change of company name: R150 (plus R50 for new name reservation)
• Certified copies of documents: R30 per page
• B-BBEE certificate filing: No CIPC fee (filed via accredited verification agency)

How to Use the CIPC Fee Calculator

Step 1: Open the Calculator

Navigate to the CIPC Company Fee Calculator.

Step 2: Select the Transaction Type

Choose from: new company registration, name reservation, annual return, or amendment.

Step 3: Enter the Required Details

• For registration: select company type and MOI type
• For annual return: enter the company's annual turnover (from the most recent financial statements or a reasonable estimate)
• For amendments: select the specific change type

Step 4: Review the Fee Estimate

The calculator displays:

• The applicable CIPC fee
• Whether VAT applies (CIPC fees are generally VAT-inclusive)
• Any additional fees if you are using a registered company formation service vs. self-filing

Paying CIPC Fees

CIPC accepts payment online through the CIPC e-Services portal (www.cipc.co.za). Payment methods:

• Credit or debit card: Visa and Mastercard accepted
• EFT pre-payment: Pay into the CIPC bank account and load the funds onto your CIPC account before submitting the transaction
• CIPC account balance: All payments are made from a pre-loaded CIPC account — you cannot pay per transaction directly; you must first top up your account

Avoid using third-party intermediaries who charge inflated "facilitation fees" over and above the official CIPC fees. The official CIPC system at cipc.co.za is straightforward for most standard registrations.

What Affects the Final Cost

Several factors can increase the total cost beyond the CIPC fee:

1. Professional fees: If you use an attorney, chartered accountant, or company secretary to prepare and file documents, their professional fees are separate from CIPC fees
2. Commissioner of oaths: Some documents require notarisation or commissioning (typically R50-R200 per document)
3. Turnaround time: CIPC standard processing is 5-10 business days. Expedited processing is not currently offered, but ensuring your documents are correct reduces delays
4. B-BBEE verification: Not a CIPC fee, but a separate cost if you need a B-BBEE certificate once registered

Common Errors That Cause Rework Costs

1. Choosing a name too similar to an existing registered company — CIPC rejects it and you must pay the R50 reservation fee again for a new name
2. Incorrect director details — ID numbers that don't match the Department of Home Affairs database cause automatic rejection
3. Submitting a customised MOI with prohibited clauses — CIPC examiners reject non-compliant MOI provisions
4. Wrong company type for the business purpose — an NPC being used for profit, or a (Pty) Ltd being incorporated for public interest activities

After Registration

Once CIPC approves the registration, you receive:

• A company registration number (CK number for close corporations; (Pty) Ltd number for private companies)
• A registered Memorandum of Incorporation
• Access to the CIPC portal to file future annual returns and amendments

Remember: registration with CIPC does not automatically register you with SARS for income tax or VAT. You must separately register on SARS eFiling. Similarly, if you hire employees, you must register for PAYE with SARS and UIF with the Department of Labour.

Related Guidance

• Explore related guides: Blog hub
• Use our free tools: CIPC Fee Calculator

Official References

• CIPC - www.cipc.co.za
• Companies Act 71 of 2008 - www.gov.za

Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03. This article is informational only - verify requirements with official sources before acting.