How to set up your company in the UK

First of all, to run a business in the UK – you don’t need to set up as a limited company. There are loads of people running a smooth business as a sole trader, from driving instructors, graphic designers to electricians.

Read our article, Sole trader vs. Limited company, to compare the pros and cons.
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If setting up a limited company is right for you, here’s how to do it:

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Step 1: Pick a name
Sounds like the easiest thing but often takes the longest. Your official company name needs to be unique – but don’t worry, you can do business under a different name (known as a trading name).

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Step 2: Register on Companies House
Companies in the UK are registered through Companies House – and it takes about 10 minutes or so to complete it. When registering your company, you’ll be asked about your details, address, type of business, etc.

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Step 3: Set up your tax account
While you’re registering your limited company, you can set up your corporation tax account at the same time. If you want to set it up later, you need to do it within 3 months of doing business - which includes buying, selling, advertising, renting or employing someone.