Voluntary deregistration of a company or close corporation with CIPC

When voluntary deregistration is allowed

Deregistration is not a way to escape debts. CIPC can only remove a company on request if it has stopped carrying on business and either has no assets, or its assets are so small that there is no reasonable chance it would be liquidated. CIPC also describes a third case: an entity that never traded and has no outstanding liabilities.

If the company still owes money to SARS, a bank, a landlord or a supplier, or still owns property, vehicles, investments or money in a bank account, deregistration is the wrong route. Settle or transfer those first, or look at a liquidation instead. CIPC itself warns that liquidation and deregistration are not the same thing.

• The company has stopped trading (or never traded)
• There are no assets left, or too little to justify a liquidation
• All liabilities, including SARS, bank facilities and suppliers, have been settled
• Director or member details on CIPC are correct (fix them first with a CoR39 for a company or CK2 for a CC)

How the online application works

From 8 December 2025 CIPC no longer accepts voluntary deregistration letters by email. The person filing captures the request online and completes an asset and liability checklist. To show that it is the company's own decision, at least half of the active directors or members must confirm the application by one-time PIN. The filer must also confirm that they have the company's mandate and that the company assessed its assets and liabilities.

Once processed, the status changes to In Deregistration. CIPC emails deregistration notices (form CoR40.4D) to the active directors and members at the contact details on its records, so make sure those are their own cell numbers and email addresses, not a service provider's. If no valid objection succeeds within about two months, the status becomes Final Deregistration. The deregistration letters can be downloaded free for six months after final deregistration.

Outstanding annual returns

A company that has not filed annual returns may already be in CIPC's own AR deregistration process. CIPC said in 2022 that it would accept voluntary deregistration applications for companies in AR deregistration status. The December 2025 online system blocks applications for entities that already show an in deregistration or final deregistration status, so check the status on BizPortal before you start. If the company is still trading or still has assets, file the outstanding returns instead and keep it alive until it is properly wound down.

SARS registrations must be closed separately

CIPC deregistration does not cancel the company's income tax, VAT, PAYE, SDL or UIF registrations. SARS says it deals with closure after CIPC confirms deregistration. In practice you submit all outstanding returns, settle the tax debt, and then apply to deregister each tax type: VAT on a VAT123e, PAYE through the final EMP501 or an EMP123, and corporate income tax with the CIPC deregistration letter attached. Until SARS confirms, the obligations to file and pay continue, and penalties keep building.

Objections and reinstatement risk

Any person, including a creditor, can object before final deregistration, with a clear reason and evidence. If CIPC finds the objection valid, the status goes back to In Business. CIPC does not settle disputes between directors and objectors; those go to the Companies Tribunal or another forum.

After final deregistration the company no longer exists, but liability does not disappear. Directors who allow a company with debts to be deregistered may be held personally liable, and CC members can be jointly and severally liable. A creditor or other interested person can later apply to have the company reinstated, which reopens its obligations. Giving CIPC false information is an offence under section 214 of the Companies Act.

Step by step

1. 1

   Check the status

   Log in to BizPortal and open BizProfile to confirm the current enterprise status and director or member details.

2. 2

   Clear assets and liabilities

   Pay or settle every creditor, including SARS and the bank, close or empty bank accounts, and transfer or sell any remaining assets.

3. 3

   Update directors or members

   File a CoR39 (company) or CK2 (CC) if the CIPC record is wrong, and make sure CIPC has each director's own email and cell number.

4. 4

   Pass a resolution

   Record the decision of the directors or members to deregister; at least half of the active directors or members must confirm online.

5. 5

   Apply online

   Submit the voluntary deregistration on BizPortal, e-Services or a Self Service Terminal and complete the asset and liability checklist; directors confirm by OTP.

6. 6

   Wait out the objection period

   The status shows In Deregistration for about two months, then Final Deregistration if no objection succeeds.

7. 7

   Close the SARS tax types

   Use the CIPC deregistration letter to deregister income tax, VAT and payroll taxes with SARS.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• CIPC — Notice 57 of 2025: automation of voluntary deregistration
• CIPC — Voluntary deregistration of companies and close corporations
• CIPC — Deregistration service page
• Companies Act 71 of 2008, section 82
• SARS — Closing a business or company
• SARS — SARS and CIPC deregistration process (SMME webinar)
• CIPC — Frequently asked questions

This guide explains the general rules. Requirements and portal steps change, so check the official source before you file.