Whether you are a sole proprietor or a limited company, there are a few things to keep in mind when starting a business. As a sole proprietorship, it is important to fulfill your tax obligations by registering for self-assessment to inform HMRC that you are self-employed and by filing tax returns to report your income.
However, there is a common question about whether a sole proprietorship should be registered with her Companies House. The short answer is no. Sole proprietors are not required to register with Companies House. Unlike a limited liability company that is registered with the Companies House and is required to disclose certain information, a sole proprietorship is a different legal form and is not subject to this obligation.
- What is Companies House?
- How do I register as a limited company?
- Check if setting up a limited company is right for you
- Choose directors and a company secretary
- Decide who the shareholders or guarantors are
- Prepare documents agreeing how to run your company
- Check what records you’ll need to keep
- Register your company
What is Companies House?
All limited liability companies must be registered with Companies House, which publishes company information on their website. Companies must provide shareholder and director details and file copies of their financial statements.
How do I register as a limited company?
Step By Step guide to setting up a limited Company:
Check if setting up a limited company is right for you:
How you start your business depends on what kind of work you do. It can also affect how you pay your taxes and receive your funds.
Instead, check if you need to set any of the following:
- Self-employed person (“sole proprietorship”)
- Business partnership
- Social enterprise
- Foreign company
- Unincorporated body
Get help deciding how to start a business.
Choose a Name:
Choose directors and a company secretary.
A director must be appointed, but a company secretary need not be appointed.
Decide who the shareholders or guarantors are,
At least one shareholder or guarantor is required to be a director.
Prepare documents agreeing how to run your company
It is necessary to prepare an “Article of Incorporation” and an “Article of Incorporation.”
Learn how to create Articles of Incorporation.
Check what records you’ll need to keep.
Identify corporate and accounting records that need to be preserved.
Register your company.
You need to register your legal address and select your SIC code. This identifies what your company does.
- Check the company address rules
- Check what your SIC code is
- Register your company with Companies House
Most people can register for corporate tax at the same time they register with Corporates House.
If that is not possible, register your company with the Companies Office and then separately with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Register for corporate tax with HMRC.
If you choose to do it by mail, you must complete the IN01 form. This method is slow, typically 8-10 days, and costs £40. This must be submitted by check to the company hall.
To expedite the process and register your company on the same day, you must submit your application to Companies House by 3 pm and pay a fee of £100. Also, the envelope must be marked “same day delivery” in the upper left corner. After registration, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation confirming that your company exists legally. The company number and date of incorporation are also displayed. Both of these details are important when filing your tax return. So keep it safe.
