You can outsource your bookkeeping. But you can’t outsource legal responsibility.
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Every South African company needs a public officer. This person is the one SARS and the Companies Act hold responsible when things go sideways. If your public officer isn’t up to the job, your company pays the price.
What’s a Public Officer?
The public officer is your company’s legally appointed representative for all tax matters. They’re the face of your business to SARS.
Companies Act Responsibilities:
- Represent the company in legal and financial compliance matters.
- Ensure that the company’s statutory duties are met.Â
- Sign off on statutory financial statements.
SARS Responsibilities:
- Register the public officer with SARS (mandatory).Â
- May file tax returns on behalf of the company if no in-house or external tax practitioner has been appointed.Â
- Respond to SARS queries, audits, and correspondence.
What Can Go Wrong?
- If your public officer isn’t registered with SARS, you risk delayed refunds, failed submissions, and compliance penalties.Â
- If SARS correspondence is missed, you might face audits or legal issues.Â
- If no one is taking ownership, the director can be held liable.
What You Need To Do:
- Make sure the public officer is appointed in writing.
- Register them with SARS.
- Give them access to eFiling.
- Educate them on their legal responsibilities.
- Download our FREE checklist and ensure you’re covered.
Need help? The Busy Bookkeeper can register your public officer and assist with your statutory responsibilities. We ensure compliance, manage SARS communication, and file on time, every time.Â
Download our free guide to keep you on track. Link below.
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