What are the key benefits and compliance requirements to register a UK company?
Key Benefits of Registering a UK Company
Limited liability – personal assets protected from business debts
Separate legal entity – the company can own assets, enter contracts, and sue/be sued in its own name
Tax efficiency – access to R&D reliefs and other allowances
Credibility – Ltd status enhances trust with clients, suppliers, and banks
Access to finance – easier to raise investment, issue shares, or secure loans
Continuity – the company survives changes in ownership or management
Key Compliance Requirements
Incorporation – register with Companies House
PSC Register – identify and register all Persons with Significant Control (25%+ ownership/voting rights)
Confirmation Statement – file annually at Companies House (due within 14 days of the anniversary of incorporation)
Annual Accounts – file statutory accounts each year, usually 9 month after year end.
Corporation Tax – register with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade. File CT600 annually
VAT – register if turnover exceeds £90,000 (mandatory); voluntary registration possible below threshold
Payroll/PAYE – register as employer if paying directors/employees; operate RTI reporting
Identity Verification – Companies House now requires identity verification for directors and PSCs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Registered Office – must maintain a UK registered address at all times
