Cheap Company Registration: Do It in 9 Simple Steps

Registering a company with Companies House can be a better way to manage your tax than being a sole trader. The good news is that there are now cheap company registration (UK) packages available that you can use to complete the process online.

1. Weigh Up the Alternatives to a Limited Company

The most popular alternative to registering a company is to operate as a sole trader.

This model has several advantages, particularly if you are a contractor and work for yourself. For one thing, you are in full control. There are no directors or shareholders to run things by. And for another, the only real paperwork you need to worry about relates to your end-of-year taxes.

Another option is to enter a business partnership. Here, you and your partner share responsibility for everything to do with the company and split the profits equally.

2. Consider the Benefits of Registering a Company

There are several advantages to registering a limited company. Perhaps the main one is that your personal assets should be protected if the company builds up debts it can’t pay back. This will give you room to take a little more financial risk when getting the business off the ground.

Registering a limited company can also open avenues to being tax efficient. For instance, you could draw the bulk of your income in company dividends, which aren’t subject to income tax.

What’s more, a limited company can claim more in allowable expenses and reliefs than a sole trader or a partnership. There are tax deductible costs which you can offset against a company’s profits, meaning you get to keep more of your money.

Not sure whether a limited company is right for you? Give one of our business experts a call on 020 7129 8651 (or click ‘feedback’ on the sidebar), Mon-Fri, 9-5.30, for some free advice.

3. Pick a Name for Your Limited Company

The name you register with Companies House needs to be unique. Choose something that you like saying and hearing because you’ll likely be doing both many times a day. Give some thought to how the name will look on marketing material and make sure it’s easy to spell.

Got a name in mind? With our free online search tool, you can check whether your company name is available with Companies House.

4. Get Expert Help

A company foundation specialist can help you:

• Minimise what you pay in tax
• Register your company with Companies House
• Complete the Memorandum of Association that explains how you will run your company
• Issue shares to other shareholders and understand the types of shares available and how they work

5. Pick a Company Formation Package

With our company formation packages, cheap company registration (UK) is quick and simple. There are four packages to choose from:

• E-Formation (£9.99): perfect if you want to secure a company name and don’t need any official printed documents.
• Essential (£19.99): offers you complete confidence that you’re starting a company with the rules and regulations covered.
• Entrepreneur (£59.99): kick-start your next big venture with official compliance and additional documents of incorporation.
• Super (£89.99): the complete secretarial and compliance package to establish your company on a robust footing.

Best of all, when you sign up for one of our company formation packages, we pay the £12 Companies House filing fee for you!

6. Register Your Company as an Employer

You must do this even if the only person you plan on paying is yourself in your capacity as company director.

7. Register for VAT

If your annual turnover will be more than £85,000, you should register for VAT. This is something an accountant or company formation specialist can help you with.

8. Register for Corporation Tax

Make sure to do this in your first three months of trading or you could have to pay a fine. HMRC will send you the information you need after you register your company with Companies House. This will include your tax reference number and the deadline for filing your annual return.

9. Set Up a Business Bank Account

If you don’t have time to shop around, we can save you the hassle and help you set up a business bank account. We have a special relationship with Barclays which means you’ll get a range of great benefits with a Barclays Bank Business Account for Start-ups:

• Free business banking for 12 months (terms and conditions apply)
• Loyalty rewards – the longer you bank, the more money you get back
• Support and guidance from the Barclays Business Banking telephone team
• Manage your account online, by phone, via the Barclays Mobile Banking app or in branch

Find out more and sign up today

Register your own business from £9.99

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