We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
How to set up a limited company, appoint directors and shareholders or guarantors, and register for tax.
What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits
Incorporate a private limited company - register it with Companies House and rules on directors, shares, articles of association and telling HMRC about the company
A limited company is a company ‘limited by shares’ or ‘limited by…
You must choose a name for your business if you’re setting up a private…
You must provide a registered office address when you set up a limited…
Your company must have at least one director. Directors are legally…
Most limited companies are ‘limited by shares’. This means they’re owned…
When you register your company you need: a ‘memorandum of association’ - a…
Use this service to register your company with Companies House. You will…
Most companies register for Corporation Tax and PAYE as an employer at the…
You must register as an overseas company in the UK to do business legally - find out about what you need to do
Explains your responsibilities, including choosing a name, having a registered address, appointing designated members and registering with Companies House.
How to line up your reporting dates for accounts and Company Tax Returns at the end of your limited company's first year
How to set up a flat management company to manage property on residents' behalf and what you must do to run it legally
Steps to take if you want to provide a service or set up a business in the UK.
Register as a sole trader with HM Revenue and Customs - your legal responsibilities if you run a business as a self-employed sole trader.
Set up and run a business partnership - naming a partnership, registering with HMRC, partnership tax returns and legal responsibilities
Start a business to help people or communities - business structures including community interest companies and co-operatives
Use this form to register (incorporate) a private or public company. Include the optional continuation pages if needed.
Explains your responsibilities, including choosing a name, having a registered address, appointing partners and registering with Companies House.
This guide explains what the public register is, what details you need to give us, and how the public can access this information.
What makes you self-employed, what counts as trading and what to do, including registering for Self Assessment.
Find out what to do if you've just registered a limited company - rules to follow, financial support and what to register for.
What you need to do if you set up as a sole trader - check your employment status, understand your obligations, and register for tax.
Includes self-employment and starting a business
If you're a company secretary, use Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) form CIS305 to register your company as a subcontractor, or apply for gross payment status.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.