What happens next?
You’ll get a ‘certificate of incorporation’. This confirms the company legally exists and shows the company number and date of formation. We register company information and make it available to the public.
Apply for a UK Company Registration with easy steps. Fast turn around with our easy to use online form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Choose a Company Structure.
2. Register a Company Name (UK)
3. Select a Company Formation Package.
4. Enter Your Company Information.
5. Allocate Company Shares.
6. Complete the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
7. Submit Everything to Companies House.
Company registration for non-UK residents is the same as for residents living in the UK. There are no restrictions on foreign nationals being a UK company director, shareholder, or a secretary. You even do not have to live in the UK.
However, the company will need to be registered with Companies House in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland (depending on the location of the company).
Requirements for registering a UK Limited company:
1. Company Name: You need to make sure that your desired company name is available and different from an existing name, it also shouldn’t contain any sensitive words.
2. Director: Only one director is required for the company formation. There is no limit to the number of directors you can appoint. You cannot be the company director if you are under the age of 16, un-discharged bankrupt or disqualified from acting as a company director.
3. Shareholder: Only one shareholder is required. There is no limit to the number of shareholders you can appoint. Can be an individual or a corporate body, can also be the director. During the company registration, you will need to apportion a certain number of shares to each shareholder.
4. Registered address: This address must be in the UK and will appear on the public register. All statutory mails from Companies House and HMRC will be sent to the registered office address. Our Virtual Office services include using our address as your registered office address.
5. Directors service address: Each director, secretary and PSC must provide a service address for Companies House. This address can be located anywhere in the world but it will be on public record. Ordering directors service address is a good opportunity to keep your own home address private from customers, suppliers and other third parties. Any legal documents addressed to the directors of the company will be sent at this address.
6. Filing and reporting: Companies are legally required to submit annual accounts and a Confirmation Statement (previously called an annual return) every year. If you require any help our UK accountants are at your service.
7. Corporation Tax: The company must be registered with HMRC when they begin trading.
Companies House is the UK’s registrar of companies. All companies are required to be incorporated and registered with Companies House. All limited companies have to file financial statements as well as company returns to them, unless exempt.
If you have started a business without registering and setting up a limited company, then you are effectively a sole trader whether you intended to be or not. You are then legally required to inform HMRC when you started the business and could face fines for failing to do so earlier.
This means that a sole person can set up a UK limited company at Companies House. This is incredibly useful for many small business owners who like to work alone or have no need for a business partner. You don’t even need to be a resident of the UK to form a limited company here.
There are no restrictions on foreign investment in the UK and non-UK resident individuals investing in the UK are generally only subject to UK tax on limited UK source income and gains. If you are considering investing in the UK our key message is simple: obtain advice early.
Yes. It may come as a surprise, but anyone of any nationality can start a business in the UK. You don’t need residential status or even to be living in the country. The only stipulation is that the company must be registered to a UK address.
If you don’t register your business with HMRC you could incur a failure to notify penalty which may cost you up to 100% of the tax due as well as still having to pay that tax! So as soon as you start to trade get registered for taxes and make sure that you complete your returns on time.
How to start an online business in the UK
1. Get your business idea.
2. Decide on a business name.
3. Create a business plan.
4. Decide on the business structure for your online business.
5. Open your company in the UK.
6. Consider the costs of starting an online business.
7. Build your own website or use a third-party platform.
8. Build your website.
9. Find the best payment options for your website.
If you make up to £1000 a year from your eBay sales – assuming that they don’t account for your full-time income – this is completely tax-free with the Trading Allowance.