Your go-to guide for the essentials of limited company formation and management
Annual reporting for UK companies involves preparing and submitting two key documents to Companies House every year: the annual accounts and the confirmation statement.
For most private limited companies, annual accounts must be filed within nine months of the financial year-end, while public companies must file within six months.
A confirmation statement is required every 12 months, confirming that your company details, directors, shareholders, PSCs and registered office, are accurate and up to date.
Staying compliant with annual reporting is essential for maintaining your UK limited company's legal status, avoiding penalties, and ensuring your business remains fully active on the Companies House register.
Making Tax Digital is a UK Government initiative designed to modernise the tax system by requiring businesses and individuals to keep digital financial records and file returns using MTD-compatible software.
MTD became mandatory for most VAT-registered businesses in April 2019, with full implementation in April 2022. The next phase begins in April 2026, when sole traders, landlords and self-employed individuals earning above £50,000 must also follow MTD rules.
For companies, MTD ensures more accurate reporting, simplified tax submissions and better integration with bookkeeping tools, especially relevant for newly registered companies and anyone completing VAT returns for the first time.
You must register for VAT when your taxable turnover exceeds the current threshold of £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period.
Some businesses choose to register voluntarily below this threshold because:
However, voluntary VAT registration also means charging VAT on your sales and managing additional HMRC reporting responsibilities, so it's important to assess whether it benefits your company's structure and sector.
A company formation agent is a professional service provider that handles the process of registering your business with Companies House.
At AR Corporate, we manage every stage of the UK company formation process, ensuring your application is accurate, compliant, and processed as quickly as possible. We also support you beyond incorporation with services such as:
Using a formation agent makes registering a company faster, simpler, and more reliable than doing it alone.
A sole trader is personally responsible for all business debts and liabilities, meaning personal assets may be at risk.
A limited company (Ltd), however, is a separate legal entity registered with Companies House, offering limited liability protection to directors and shareholders. This means your personal finances are safeguarded if the business encounters difficulties.
Limited companies often benefit from:
However, they also come with additional reporting and compliance requirements compared to sole traders.
To register a company in the UK, you must choose a company name, appoint directors and shareholders, provide a registered office address, and prepare your memorandum and articles of association.
We handle the entire process for you. After you select your formation package, our team prepares and submits your application directly to Companies House. Most companies are incorporated within a few hours during working days.
Our service ensures your limited company formation is legally correct and structured properly from the start.
AR Corporate offers over 20 years of experience in UK company formation, providing clear, reliable and fully compliant services to clients worldwide.
We simplify the entire registration process through an easy-to-use digital platform, backed by tailored advice and ongoing support. Whether you are forming your first company, registering a UK business from overseas, or needing long-term compliance assistance, we ensure accuracy, transparency, and a smooth experience from start to finish.
Anyone aged 16 or over can be appointed as a company director, provided they:
Directors do not need to be UK residents, which makes the UK one of the most accessible jurisdictions for international entrepreneurs.
Every UK company must have a registered office address, which must be in the UK. If you do not have one, we can provide a compliant address through our registered office service.
Most UK company formation applications submitted during Companies House working hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm) are approved within 3–5 hours.
Processing can take longer during busy periods or if Companies House needs to verify additional information. Same-day incorporation is available for urgent registrations.
We review your documents beforehand to minimise delays and ensure your company is approved as quickly as possible.
These documents form the legal foundation of your company.
The memorandum of association confirms the initial shareholders agree to form the company.
The articles of association set out the rules for how your company will be run, including decision-making, share structure, director responsibilities, and internal governance.
We provide standard, compliant templates suitable for most trading businesses, ensuring your company meets the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The certificate of incorporation is the official document issued by Companies House confirming your company's legal existence.
It includes:
You will often need this certificate to open a business bank account, prove your company is active, and conduct formal business transactions in the UK and abroad.
Your company name must be:
Most companies must include "Limited" or "Ltd" at the end.
You can check availability using the Companies House name search tool. If you need help selecting a compliant name, we can guide you through the rules and best practices.
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers financial protection by limiting personal liability to the capital invested, unlike sole traders who risk personal assets. LLCs are managed by directors and owned by shareholders. If the business fails, shareholders only lose their paid-up share value. Types include:
Each form is registered with Companies House and offers different advantages based on business goals, size, and structure.