A Register of Beneficial Owners is a legal record that identifies the real people who ultimately own or control a company.
A Register of Beneficial Owners (RBO) is a mandatory record that Irish companies must keep.
It shows who really owns and controls the business behind the scenes.
This includes people who own more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who have significant influence over the company's decisions.
The register helps authorities track money laundering and ensures transparency in business ownership.
It's part of the the world's effort to prevent companies being used to hide illegal activities.
Most Irish companies must keep a register of beneficial owners.
This includes private limited companies, public limited companies, and limited liability partnerships.
The only exceptions are companies whose shares are traded on certain regulated markets.
If your company has shareholders or partners, you'll likely need this register. Even if you're the sole owner, you must still record yourself as the beneficial owner.
The register must include each beneficial owner's full name, date of birth, nationality, and usual residential address.
You'll also need to record the nature of their control - whether through shareholding, voting rights, or other influence.
For companies, you must specify the percentage of shares owned and the date they became a beneficial owner.
Service addresses can be used instead of home addresses for privacy.
Start by identifying all beneficial owners in your company.
Create and maintain an accurate register, updating it within 14 days of any changes.
Keep the register at your registered office or notify the relevant company registry where it's held.
Beneficial owners must confirm their details and provide required documentation.
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