Nominee Public Officer for Your Dormant South African Company
Living abroad with a dormant South African company? SARS still expects a South African resident public officer on record, and the company still has yearly filings. We appoint a named Maltech-Africa public officer and handle the filings for a fixed annual fee.
Who this is for
Directors and shareholders who have moved abroad, or are finalising SARS tax residency cessation, and who keep a dormant South African company with no trading, no bank activity, no employees and no assets.
What the service does
• Appoints a South African resident public officer on SARS eFiling.
• Confirms the company's dormant status.
• Files the annual ITR14 and CIPC annual return, including beneficial ownership.
• Forwards SARS and CIPC correspondence to you within 3 business days.
What it does not do
You remain the director and shareholder. The service replaces only the public officer function. If you want to be fully out of the company, the options are to deregister it or transfer the shares to a South African resident, and we quote either separately. Also not covered: your own exit-tax position, and how your new country treats a foreign company you control. Confirm both with a tax practitioner.
Choose your tier
Not sure which tier? If the company is not registered for VAT, PAYE or UIF/COIDA, Essential is normally enough.
Not included (quoted separately)
• Arrears, late filings and penalties.
• Annual financial statements, if required.
• Deregistration of VAT, PAYE or the company.
• SARS audits, objections or disputes.
• Government fees.
• Foreign (non-South African) tax advice.
What we need to start
• Certified copy of your passport and proof of residential address.
• Company registration documents and CIPC details.
• Your SARS eFiling details for the company.
• Confirmation that the company has no trading, bank activity, employees or assets.
• The status of its returns.
Engagement and terms
Engagement is subject to dormancy confirmation and KYC acceptance. If we cannot accept your company, the retainer is refunded less a R850 admin fee. Except where an engagement is declined on this basis, fees are paid annually in advance and are non-refundable. From year two the annual retainer is invoiced 30 days before the anniversary. Either party may end the service on 30 days' notice, and you must appoint a replacement public officer within the statutory period. If the company starts trading, you must tell us immediately and move to a full compliance package. The service is delivered by named Maltech-Africa employees.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a dormant company need a public officer?
Every South African company must have a public officer who lives in the country, and SARS expects a vacancy to be filled within 30 days.
Does this remove me as director?
No. You stay director and shareholder. Only the public officer function changes.
Do I still need to file returns if nothing happened?
Yes. A dormant company still files an ITR14 and a CIPC annual return, plus nil VAT201 or EMP201 returns if it is still registered for those.
What if the company has arrears?
We clear them first and quote that separately.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, our Promise to Pay option can apply. Ask us when you order.
Related reading and services:
• Dormant Company, Living Abroad? Why You Still Need a South African Public Officer