Introduction

The Companies (Amendment) Act, No. 6 of 2019, stipulates that each company, on the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar, must disclose to the Registrar information as to all of the beneficial owners holding an interest in the company.

“Beneficial owner” refers to the one who actually directs the management of the business and affairs of the company or the person who ultimately controls the company.

The beneficial owner is defined in terms of a natural person only.

Each company is obligated to take reasonable steps to:

1. ascertain and obtain the name, address, occupation and nationality of each beneficial owner holding an interest in the company and the nature of the interest held; and
2. deliver to the Registrar a Return of the Beneficial Interest in the Shares of the Company (“the Return”), within thirty (30) days from the receipt of a declaration of beneficial ownership from a beneficial owner or a declaration of non-beneficial ownership from a shareholder of the company.

The Filing Process

The Return must be filed online using the Registrar General’s Department e-Filings Service. Enrol and login to the Registrar General’s Department e-Filings Service, here, to complete the Return.

Step 1: File the Return

• Complete the Return and submit it electronically.
• Pay the prescribed fee of forty TT dollars ($40.00).

Processing time: Within forty-eight (48) hours

A notification of the decision of the Registrar shall be sent via email.

Step 2: Deliver the Return to the Registrar

• Print and sign duplicate originals of the Return
• Print the payment receipt
• Visit a TTPost office and purchase two legal sized track packs; one self-addressed and one addressed to:

  The Registrar General's Department,
  Companies Registry,
  AGLA Tower, Government Plaza,
  Corner of London and Richmond Streets,
  Port of Spain.

• Enclose the duplicate original of the Return and the copy of the payment receipt in the envelope addressed to the Registrar General's Department and mail it.

One original Return will be couriered in the self-addressed envelope via TTPost.

Payment Method

• E-Payment

Electronic Payment can be made online, with a valid credit card or visa debit card, using the Companies Registry Payment Portal.

This notificaton is intended for general guidance only, and does not constitute legal advice.

You should seek appropriate professional advice and assistance, where necessary; the Registrar General's Department cannot provide such advice.