UK Company Registration

Set up a limited company, appoint directors and shareholders or guarantors, and register a uk company for tax, get a utr number, vat registration

Check if you should set up as one of the following instead:

• self-employed ('sole trader')
• a business partnership
• a social enterprise
• an overseas company
• an unincorporated association

Step 1:

Check if registering a uk company is right for you.

1. Check what a private limited company is

How you set up your business depends on what sort of work you do. It can also affect the way you pay tax and get funding.
Check if you should set up as one of the following instead:

Step 2:

Choose a company name

1. 1. Check the rules for company names
   2. Check if the name you want is available
   3. Check existing trade marks

Step 3:

Choose directors and a company secretary

You must appoint a director but you do not have to appoint a company secretary.

1. 1. Find out what directors are responsible for
   2. Check who can be a director or company secretary

Step 4:

Decide who the shareholders or guarantors are.

You need at least one shareholder or guarantor, who can be a director.

1. 1. Check if you’ll need to issue shares or set a 'guaranteed amount'
   2. Find out how dividends from shares are taxed

Identify people with significant control (PSC) over your company

For example, anyone with voting rights or more than 25% of the shares.

1. 1. Find out what counts as a PSC

Step 5:

Prepare documents agreeing how to run your company

You need to prepare a 'memorandum of association' and 'articles of association'.

1. 1. Find out how to create a memorandum and articles of association

Step 6:

Check what records you'll need to keep.

1. 1. Check the company and accounting records you must keep

Step 7:

Register your company with Companies House.

You'll need to register an official address and choose a SIC code - this identifies what your company does.

1. 1. Check the rules for registered office addresses and email addresses
   2. Check what your SIC code is
   3. Register your company with Companies House

Step 8:

Register with HMRC for UTR & VAT to Manage your Corporation Tax and Sales Tax.

1. Add Corporation Tax services to your business tax account

Ready to register your uk company? signup for a free 50£ credit.