Pty Ltd (Private Company)
Quick Answer
What is Pty Ltd (Private Company)?
A Pty Ltd is a private company – a separate legal entity registered at CIPC, owned by shareholders and run by directors.
Pty Ltd (Private Company) explained
The default structure for serious South African small businesses: limited liability, 27% company tax (or SBC rates), and the entity tenders and funders expect.
Who it applies to: Entrepreneurs who want limited liability and credibility.
Cost: R175 to register; annual return from R100.
Related terms and guides
Official source: CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission)
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
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Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.