Setting up a new company

To set up a new in the , you must register the at .

This section contains detailed step-by-step guidance on how to complete and file the necessary forms in order to and register your new at . Discover when you can actually begin using your and get off to a good start by learning what legal obligations start as soon as your is set up. There are fines for non-compliance, so it is important to get things right from day one.

How to set up a new company

  1. 1.Can I set up a new company myself?
  2. 2.How do I set up a new company?
  3. 3.What is an IN01 form?
  4. 4.What is a SIC code?
  5. 5.How do I choose the right SIC codes for my company?
  6. 6.Which method should I use to set up my new company?

Setting up a company online

  1. 7.How do I set up a new company online?
  2. 8.Can I set up a new company online and register with HMRC at the same time?

Setting up a company using the paper form

  1. 9.How do I set up a new company by post?

Completing the forms

  1. 10.What form do I need to complete to set up my company?
  2. 11.How do I get someone to set up my company for me?
  3. 12.Should I get someone to set up my company for me?
  4. 13.Who needs to sign off the form needed to set up my company?
  5. 14.Who needs to sign off if I set up my company online?
  6. 15.Who needs to sign off if I use a paper form to set up my company?
  7. 16.Who needs to sign off if I use an agent to set up my company?
  8. 17.Do I need to include personal information when I set up my company?

How much it will cost to set up a new company

  1. 18.How much will it cost me to set up a new company?

How long it takes to set up a new company

  1. 19.How long will it take me to set up a new company?
  2. 20.How long will it take me to set up a company online?
  3. 21.How long will it take me to set up a company by post?
  4. 22.How long will it take me to set up a company through an agent?

First steps after a company has been set up

  1. 23.How do I know when my company has been set up?
  2. 24.When will I receive my certificate of incorporation?
  3. 25.What should I do with my certificate of incorporation when I receive it?
  4. 26.How can I get a replacement certificate of incorporation?
  5. 27.When will I receive my company authentication code?
  6. 28.What should I do with my company authentication code when I receive it?
  7. 29.What should I do if I do not know my company authentication code or do not receive it?
  8. 30.When can my company start trading?
  9. 31.Once my company has been set up, what are my initial legal obligations?

Quick guide to company books, records and filing

This quick guide to company books, records and filing will help you to stay within the law with your company’s various filing and record-keeping obligations. You can download keep it as a helpful reference tool to keep an eye on what you need to do and when. It is not just a box-ticking exercise to make sure your company paperwork is in good order; the consequences of failing can be serious. In most cases, not filing documents at Companies House when the law says you must is a criminal offence, committed by your company and any officer at fault. Fines usually increase over time until you comply. Further, failure to file important documents at Companies House will show up on your company’s online record which can cost you business opportunities – it will make a poor impression on anyone searching for you, eg as part of a due diligence exercise. Most seriously, if you fail to file your annual confirmation statement for long enough, your company will be struck off the register. Use this quick guide to help you get your company books and records sorted and keep them that way. You can also get this document as part of the Starting a company toolkit .
Free

Comparison of different methods of incorporation

There are various methods for incorporating a company in the UK. Applications can be made online, on paper, or via a formation agent or solicitor. Certain methods will also simultaneously register you with HMRC for corporation tax and PAYE. This table provides a handy single-page comparison of the different methods of incorporation, including information of the costs associated with each method, and how long it will take for your company to be incorporated. You can also get this document as part of the Starting a company toolkit .
Free
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