limited company

Is Limited Company The Best Option?

What is the Best time to Setup a Limited Company? A limited company is a private company whose owners are responsible for its debts. Only to the extent of the amount of capital they invested.

Corporation tax rates for most companies have fluctuated between 19% and 21%. The main rate of corporation tax cuts to 17% from April 2020.

Current corporation tax rates are favorable. Generally, lower than those paid by many individuals. There are other areas where company formation saves up on tax.

The costs and regulations involved with a running company are usually greater than trading as a sole trader or in partnership. There is a need for more administrations using a company as a vehicle through which to trade remains a popular choice.

The starting point for dealing with companies and company directors is to remember that a limited company exists in its own right.

The company’s finances are separate from the personal finances of the company owners. The shareholders cannot take money out of the company whenever they feel like it.

 

Incorporate the Changes

 

As a business expands the question to incorporate arises. The liability status that company formation provides is often needed to win contracts with companies.

Incorporating may not be such a good deal in the early days of trade. If there is no intention to grow beyond the status of a solely owned business.

This may be particularly relevant if losses are envisaged in the early years of trading. It’s possible to carry back losses made in the first four years and offset them. Where applicable, against the personal income of the three preceding years. This often results in a substantial refund of tax becoming due and may offer a much-needed cash boost to the business.

 

How to incorporate

 

The company must choose a name, which cannot be the same as another registered company’s name. If it is too similar to another company’s name or trademark, a new name has to come up for the company.

The company must have at least one director who is a natural person, and a public company must have at least two directors. A private company need not appoint a company secretary, although in practice many choose to do so.

There must be at least one shareholder or guarantor, who can also be a director.

The company will need to prepare a ‘memorandum of association’ and ‘articles of association’, as provided for by Companies Act 2006. Broadly, these documents set out how the company will be run.

Private limited companies are also required to maintain a register of those who play a significant role in the company – known as a ‘PSC Register’.

The function of the Register is to increase corporate transparency. To combating tax evasion, money laundering, and terrorist financing.

The company must register with HMRC for corporation tax and PAYE as an employer at the same time as registering with Companies House. This must be done within three months of starting to do business. The company may also be required to register for VAT if the registration criteria have the condition.

 

Pros and Cons

 

Although there are disadvantages to incorporating a business. However, the lower tax rates and other reliefs currently on offer still make it an attractive proposition.

Some advantages worth considering include:

  • Ability to pay dividends to shareholders. Which, in turn, may reduce liability to National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
  • Flexible succession planning, particularly for inheritance tax purposes
  • Great investment opportunities, for example, the potential to raise money through tax-efficient schemes.
  • Limited liability status for shareholders. Although directors might be asked to give personal guarantees of loans to the company and may still be held liable for the debts of a company
  • Potential increased saleability

Business owners are to evaluate the advantages of incorporation on an on-going basis. We at ACCOTAX – Small Business Accountants in UK, Offer a wide range of Accountancy packages for small businesses. Please get in touch with us to find out a bit more.

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