Founder hacks · 01
Incorporate and file: simpler than you think.
One online form, £100, usually done within 24 hours. Then three yearly filings and a few registrations. Every step, with the cost and the deadline.
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Set up the company
-
Check your name is available
Search the Companies House register and the trade mark register.
When
Before you register
Free
-
Choose a registered office
A UK address that receives post. Your home address works, but it becomes public.
When
Before you register
Free
-
Register the company online
One director and one shareholder is enough. No minimum share capital.
When
Before you trade
£100 online
£124 by post
Usually within 24 hours
-
Verify every director and person with significant control
A free online check gives a personal code you reuse for every filing.
When
Before you are appointed a director
Free
If missed: acting as an unverified director is an offence
-
Keep a register of shareholders
The only register the company itself has to keep.
When
From incorporation
Free
Register with HMRC and the ICO
-
Register for Corporation Tax
Add the service to an HMRC business tax account.
When
Within 3 months of your company becoming active
Free
UTR arrives by post
-
Register as an employer
Needed even if the only employee is you as a director.
If you pay anyone, including yourself
When
Before the first payday
Free
-
Register for VAT
Many pre-seed companies stay under £90,000 and never register.
Only above the VAT threshold
When
Within 30 days of passing £90,000 turnover in 12 months
Free to register
If missed: back-pay VAT on sales since you should have registered
-
Pay the ICO data protection fee
The smallest tier covers turnover up to £632,000 or up to 10 staff.
If you handle personal data
When
Each year, if you handle personal data
£52 a year
£47 by Direct Debit
If missed: a fine of up to £4,350
-
Ask HMRC for SEIS or EIS advance assurance
Optional, but investors usually want to see it.
If you are raising
When
Before you issue shares to investors
No fee stated
HMRC aims to reply in 15 working days
-
Register for Self Assessment
Use the online checker. Many directors with only a salary do not need one.
If a director has dividends or other untaxed income
When
By 5 October after the tax year, if you need a return
Free
Every year
-
File your confirmation statement
A short online check of details Companies House already holds.
When
Every 12 months. The first is due up to 14 days after year one
£50 online
£110 by post
If missed: a fine, and the company can be struck off
-
File annual accounts with Companies House
Micro-entities file a simpler balance sheet.
When
9 months after your year end. The first are due within 21 months of incorporation
No filing fee
If missed: £150 to £1,500
-
File the Company Tax Return and pay Corporation Tax
File even if you owe nothing.
When
Return 12 months after the period ends. Tax 9 months and 1 day after
Tax on profits; no filing fee
If missed: £200, plus £200 after 3 months
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Report changes to Companies House
Directors, owners, shares and addresses.
When
Within 14 days for directors and people with significant control; a month for new shares
Mostly free
A name change costs £20
With Cady
Have your agent manage your legal entities for you.
Your agent keeps every entity, filing and deadline in one place and prepares each filing for your review.
Create accountFilings and deadlines is in testing. Entities and cap table are next. See what it can already do.
Set up our filings calendar: the confirmation statement, accounts and tax return dates for each company, with an owner and a reminder. Prepare each one for my review before it is due.
Cady keeps the record
- Each entity with its directors and shareholders
- Every filing, deadline and owner
- Each filing prepared for your review
Checked against official pages on . Ranges from the press are cited. Spotted a change?