This article is for Irish company directors, secretaries, and business owners who need to understand their legal obligations around the Register of Beneficial Owners.If you're wondering who needs to file, what information is required, or how to stay compliant with RBO deadlines, this guide covers the complete filing process, who qualifies as a beneficial owner, and what happens if you don't comply.
Key Takeaways
All Irish companies must file beneficial ownership details within five months of incorporation, then update within 14 days of any changes.
A beneficial owner is any natural person who owns or controls at least 25% of shares, voting rights, or ownership interest.
Non-compliance with RBO requirements is a criminal offence carrying potential fines up to €500,000 upon conviction on indictment.
Directors and company secretaries remain personally liable for accurate RBO filing even when using accountants or agents as presenters.
The public can access limited beneficial owner information through RBO reports, while authorities receive unrestricted access for enforcement purposes.
Do I need to register my Irish company with the Register of Beneficial Owners?
Yes, all companies incorporated in Ireland must file with the RBO, including private limited companies, public limited companies, and companies limited by guarantee. Newly incorporated companies have five months from incorporation to complete their initial registration.
Who qualifies as a beneficial owner that needs to be registered?
A beneficial owner is any natural person who ultimately owns or controls at least 25% of your company's shares, voting rights, or ownership interest. This includes both direct shareholding and indirect ownership through other companies or trusts - you must trace ownership back to the actual people behind any corporate structures.
What personal information do I need to provide about beneficial owners?
You must file comprehensive details including full name, complete date of birth, nationality, residential address, PPS number, and the nature and extent of their interest in the company. All information must be accurate as it appears on official documents to pass the RBO's validation process.
How much does it cost to file with the RBO?
There is no fee for filing beneficial ownership information with the RBO. The entire process is completed through the free online portal at www.rbo.gov.ie.
Can I hire someone to file the RBO information on my behalf?
Yes, you can appoint a presenter such as an accountant or company formation agent to file on your behalf. However, the company's directors and secretary remain ultimately responsible for ensuring accurate and timely filing even when using a presenter.
How quickly do I need to update the RBO when ownership changes?
You must update the RBO within 14 days whenever beneficial ownership changes occur, such as when new investors acquire 25% or more ownership, existing owners increase their stake above 25%, or beneficial owners reduce their interest below 25%. This is an ongoing obligation that requires active monitoring of shareholding changes.
What information about beneficial owners can the public see?
Public RBO reports show limited information including forename, surname, month and year of birth (not the full date), nationality, country of residence (not the full address), and the nature of their interest. This provides transparency while protecting complete personal details from public view.
What happens if I don't file with the RBO or miss the deadline?
Failure to comply is a criminal offence subject to prosecution, with potential fines up to €500,000 for certain breaches on indictment. Directors and company secretaries face personal liability for compliance failures under their statutory duties.
What if I accidentally submit incorrect information to the RBO?
The RBO will reject your submission if it cannot validate the beneficial owner information. The RBO will contact the beneficial owner directly via written correspondence to resolve the issue, but due to data protection rules, they cannot contact your presenter about the beneficial owner's details - you'll need to work directly with the beneficial owner to correct errors.
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