MIDDELBURG – The Youth Entrepreneur Expo hosted by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality on June 19, 2025 empowered aspiring business owners with critical information on launching and managing businesses.
At the event, Anesthesia Masilela from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) delivered a key presentation on business tax compliance. She emphasised that registering a company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) automatically generates a tax number but that alone does not render the business fully compliant.
“Once your business is registered with CIPC, you still need to visit SARS to update your company’s details and appoint a public officer,” Masilela explained. “Appointing a public officer is essential for managing your company’s tax affairs via the eFiling system.”
She further clarified that businesses or organisations registered through the Department of Social Development (DSD) do not automatically receive a tax number. In such cases, entrepreneurs must go to SARS offices to apply for one.
Masilela’s presentation formed part of a broader programme that included contributions from the Mpumalanga Stainless Steel Initiative, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, AgriSETA, First National Bank (FNB), and the Steve Tshwete Local Economic Development (LED) Office. All these institutions are committed to equipping young people with the knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in the business sector.
