Table of Contents

Business Formation in the UK

Table of Contents

Currency

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Payroll Frequency

Weekly or Monthly (within 25th-30th of the month)

Employer Taxes

16.80% + varying taxes

About Business Formation in the UK

The United Kingdom is made up of Scotland, Wales, and England, with the larger entity known as Great Britain and Northern Ireland. They border the Republic of Ireland to the west and across the English Channel and the North Sea as well as border countries such as France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Norway. After several centuries as a globally dominating colonial power, the UK’s economic and political influence was diminished by the two world wars and the breakup of the British Empire.

English is the country’s official language. Other native languages include Celtic, Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Irish and Old Norse. Modern Britain is largely multicultural, with almost two-thirds of the population who profess not to believe in God, while 36 percent are members of the official Anglican church. Social classes still permeate the culture and continue to include tensions between the working class and a few aristocrats. It has a constitutional monarchy where the government is run by a prime minister but each of the four nations has its own judicial system. Recently, the UK announced its intention to exit the European Union, popularly known as ‘Brexit’.

Company Formation Services In the United Kingdom

Aadmi simplifies company formation services in the UK and makes it more simple and hassle-free. The process involves registering a business with Companies House, choosing the right structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited company), and ensuring full compliance with UK business laws. Most entrepreneurs opt for a limited company in the UK due to its credibility and tax advantages.

With our expert guidance, setting up your business in the UK is smooth, ensuring you stay compliant and focused on growth.

Company Types

Limited Company

A Limited Company in the UK is a privately held small business entity and considered as an independent legal entity on incorporation. It can have a minimum of one and a maximum of fifty shareholders. Limited Companies cannot publicly trade its shares. It can have a minimum of one director.

Branch

Foreign companies engaged in manufacturing and trading activities abroad can set up a branch in the UK. A branch is not a separate legal entity from its parent company and can be held liable for the debts of its parent company.

Partnership

A new business entity created through a partnership between foreign and UK investors, in which the partners jointly share the profits, losses, management responsibilities, and operational expenses. The advantages of partnerships are that the foreign company can utilize the well-established contact network, distribution, marketing channels, and the available financial resources of the UK partner. A partnership also offers the investors the opportunity to jointly manage the risks involved with starting a company in the UK and limit their individual exposure by sharing the liabilities.

Incorporation Requirements

Paid Up Capital

There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement for setting up a company in the UK.

Foreign Percentage Ownership

Foreign companies can set up a wholly owned subsidiary in the UK. Once a company has been duly registered and incorporated as a UK company, it is subject to UK laws and regulations as applicable to other domestic UK companies.

Local Director

The UK does not require a local director. Companies can appoint directors from anywhere in the world.

Corporate Secretary

The UK does not require a Company Secretary. However, if the company decides to appoint one, the Company Secretary can be from anywhere in the world.

Local Office Address

Local office or a virtual office capable of accepting letters/post is mandatory before incorporation. The local office address acts as the Registered office of the entity in the Incorporation documents.

Incorporation Documentation

What are Company Incorporation Documents to submit?

  • Details of proposed director/s and company secretary
  • Residential addresses of director/s
  • Details of people with significant control (PSC)
  • Form IN01
  • Proposed company name
  • Official place of business address
  • Type of company structure (private/public/unlimited)
  • Details on the type of business activities
  • Articles of Association
  • Memorandum of Association
  • Statement of capital and initial shareholdings
  • Statement of compliance/ guarantee

Incorporation Process

Register and Reserve the name of the company

Unlike other countries, there is no reservation of the proposed company name for the UK’s incorporation. The proposed company name must be submitted along with all the relevant documents needed. However, you can check if the proposed name has not been registered here.

Decide Filing Method

In the UK, the incorporation process can be done on 3 different platforms. For each platform, the timing differs. (1) Electronic Software Filing: Done usually be external services that have their own websites to help with incorporation. The standard fee for this platform is £10 and usually takes 24 hours. (2) Web Services: The easiest online, one-stop platform to register your company with Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The standard fee for this platform is £12 and usually takes 24 hours. (3) Paper Filing: The only physical platform to incorporate your company. The documents must be submitted to the correct offices and therefore, will take a longer time. The standard fee for this platform is £40 and usually takes 5 working days.

Prepare Incorporation Documents

Form IN01, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association and additional company information to be completed.

Companies House

Companies House is a government section within the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation. It deals with the regulation and incorporation of limited liability partnerships and limited companies in the UK. As the official registrar of companies in the UK, they function in three separate countries: Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England and Wales.

Bank Account

The final step is to decide on the bank to work with. The United Kingdom has a class banking infrastructure that startups and hyper-growth companies alike benefit from. The process of establishing a bank account can be an unexpectedly long process that many companies do not sufficiently plan for. This can include extensive application documents, notarized director documents, KYC documentation and in-person signatures. Common local banks in the United Kingdom include Barclays, Standard Chartered, Lloyds, and HSBC.

Statutory Registrations

His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

The national taxing authority of the United Kingdom that collects all direct and indirect taxes and administers benefits and tax credit payments to residents.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

You must register if: (1) your total VAT taxable turnover for the last 12 months was over £85,000 (the VAT threshold) (2) you expect your turnover to go over £85,000 in the next 30 days.

Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

This is the system your employer or pension provider uses to take Income Tax and National Insurance contributions before they pay your wages or pension.

National Insurance

National Insurance is a tax paid by most workers. If you are a pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) employee, National Insurance contributions (NICs) will automatically come out of your wages – just like Income Tax. If you are self-employed, you will probably pay NICs through your yearly self-assessment tax return.

Workplace Pensions

A workplace pension scheme is a way of saving for your retirement through contributions deducted direct from your wages. Your employer may also make contributions to your pension through the scheme. If you are eligible for automatic enrollment, your employer has to make contributions into the scheme.

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Employment Relationship

• Permanent Employment

• Fixed-Term or Specific-Purpose Contracts

• Temporary Employment Contratcs

Probationary Period

Working Hours

Holidays / PTO

• Statutory Holidays

• Paid Annual Leave

• Sick Leave

• Maternity Leave

• Paternity Leave

Termination of Employment

• Notice Period

• Severance Benefits

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