Question 1

What is a company share register?

Accepted Answer

The share register is an official record of all shareholders, their shareholding percentages, and past share movements.
It is a legal requirement under the Companies Act.

Question 2

Who must maintain a share register?

Accepted Answer

All private and public companies must maintain an up-to-date share register.

Question 3

Is the share register submitted to CIPC?

Accepted Answer

No — it is kept internally by the company but must be available for inspection.

Question 4

What information must the register contain?

Accepted Answer

• Shareholder names
 • ID/passport numbers
 • Share classes
 • Number of shares held
 • Issue dates
 • Transfers
 • Certificates issued

Question 5

What is a share certificate?

Accepted Answer

A legal document confirming ownership of shares.
Issuing share certificates is mandatory when shares are allocated.

Question 6

What are share classes?

Accepted Answer

Different categories of shares, such as ordinary, preference, or voting shares.

Question 7

How are new shares issued?

Accepted Answer

Through a directors’ resolution and formal update of the share register.
CIPC must also be notified in certain cases.

Question 8

Can shares be transferred between individuals?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a share transfer form must be signed and recorded in the register.

Question 9

What happens if a share register is missing?

Accepted Answer

Penalties, compliance issues, ownership disputes, and difficulty with tax or funding applications may occur.
We reconstruct missing registers.

Question 10

How often must the register be updated?

Accepted Answer

Every time shares are issued, transferred, or cancelled.

Question 11

Can a company have one shareholder?

Accepted Answer

Yes — private companies may have a single shareholder.

Question 12

Do foreign shareholders require a share register?

Accepted Answer

Yes — foreign shareholders must appear in the register with verified passport details.

Question 13

What is a share transfer form?

Accepted Answer

A document used to transfer shares between parties, containing transfer details and signatures.

Question 14

Must share transfers be stamped by SARS?

Accepted Answer

Not anymore — securities transfer tax (STT) is paid electronically.

Question 15

Can directors change shareholders?

Accepted Answer

Only with proper resolutions, agreements, and updates to the register.

Question 16

Is a share register required for tax compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes — SARS may request the register during audits.

Question 17

Can shareholding changes affect beneficial ownership?

Accepted Answer

Yes — BO updates must reflect the new shareholders.

Question 18

What happens during due diligence?

Accepted Answer

Auditors, banks, or buyers request the register to confirm ownership.

Question 19

Can we assist with drafting share registers?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we create, update, and manage fully compliant registers.

Question 20

Do we assist with share certificates?

Accepted Answer

Yes — including design, issue, and digital or physical copies.

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