BEE certificate issued by CIPC

Business owners that run firms with an annual turnover of up to R10 million and that use one of the Companies Intellectual Properties Commission’s (CIPC) self-service terminals to register a business or renew an annual return, can now also use the terminals to get BEE certificates.

Under the amended BEE codes, which come into effect this month, firms with an annual turnover of under R10 million are exempted from having to get a BEE verification – a declaration from one’s accountant stating ones turnover will suffice. The move to allow the CIPC’s self-service terminals to also issue such declarations, will make the process more affordable as it will cut out any fees accountants may charge. The service is only available to enterprises with a turnover of R1 million to R10 million.

As company registrations and BEE certificates are often required by small business owners, it makes sense to make it available in one transaction.  She said the new service will enable customers who register private companies through the terminals to also apply for these certificates at the end of the company registration transaction or when they file their annual returns. Through this process, certificates will be issued for free to registrants.

Currently there are 42 self-service terminals available for entrepreneurs to do transactions. Aside from the centre in Pretoria, business owners can also visit self-service terminals at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg and the Waldorf Arcade in Cape Town. There are plans in place to ensure that the self-service terminals are available throughout the country.

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