News: Company Formation and Registration Services in Great Britain

COMPANY REGISTRATION IN GREAT BRITAIN (LTD)

Great Britain is a landmass geographically located on the north west coast of Europe. It is known as “Great” because it is the largest island amongst the British isles and includes the whole of England, Scotland and Wales and other neighbouring islands.

The law guiding company incorporation and registration (Corporate legislation) Great Britain is regulated by the Companies Act of 2006. This Act defines and guides corporate formation, with functions in this territory regulated by the ‘United Kingdom Companies House’. There are other acts that guide and regulate registration of a business in Great Britain (corporate actions), they include UK Corporate Governance Code, the Insolvency Act 1986, European Union Directives and Judicial cases.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPANY FORMATION IN GREAT BRITAIN

The benefits of company formation in Great Britain include:

• The preservation and maintenance of broad international relations in all branches of economic and banking activity with the former colonies of the British empire, the commonwealth states;
• Tax and National Insurance efficiency: Less personal tax to be paid (The UK corporation tax for 2018/2019 current tax year is set at 19%) while starting from April 2020, corporation tax will be at 17%;
• Unique legal entity;
• Professional Credibility/reputation - a reputable European country with many double taxation treaties;
• Authorized capital can be as low as £1;
• Ease and quick company incorporation procedure;
• Transfer of ownership or sale of the company is much easier;
• Appointment of a resident director or citizen is not mandatory;
• Services of the nominal director and shareholder are allowed.
• Agency agreement can be used to calculate a Limited Company’s net income.

BUSINESS IN GREAT BRITAIN: TAXATION

The corporate tax rate (the tax payable by a company on its profit in a financial year) in Great Britain currently stands at 19%.  

REQUIREMENTS TO REGISTER A COMPANY IN GREAT BRITAIN

These are the documents required to register a company in Great Britain:

• Name and legal address of the company;

• Minimum of one (1) director;
• Minimum of one (1) shareholder;
• Memorandum and Articles of association (agreed rules/regulations for operation of the company);
• Registration with Companies House;
• Certificate of Incorporation;
• Corporate tax registration;
• Minutes of First Meeting;
• Share Certificates.

It is important to note that any change to the company’s details must be passed on to the Companies House within 14 (Fourteen) days. This includes:

• Name;
• Address;
• What the business does;
• Details of directors, secretaries or people authorized to represent the company;
• Company information, example accounting requirements, the powers of directors or secretaries;
• Company Constitution (governing rules and regulations of the company).

BUSINESS REGISTRATION IN GREAT BRITAIN: TYPES OF COMPANIES

The following are the major forms of businesses in Great Britain:

• Sole Proprietorship;
• A branch of a foreign company;
• Limited Company;
• Private company limited by shares (LTD);
• Public Limited Company (PLC);
• Private company limited by guarantee.
• Partnerships;
• English Limited Partnership (LP);
• English Limited Liability Partnership (LLP);
• Scottish Limited Partnership (LP).

OFFSHORE COMPANY REGISTRATION

An Offshore company registration in Great Britain is not a common sight, this makes it difficult to consider Great Britain as an offshore zone. However, there are certain dependent territories that can be considered as offshore regions, they include Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, British Virgin Islands, the Isles of Man and other areas having affiliation with Great Britain or the UK’s administrative and financial policies( but independent financially with regards to taxation).

PROCESS OF COMPANY REGISTRATION IN THE GREAT BRITAIN

The registration process begins with a free consultation and expert assessment from our lawyers, ensuring it complies with the requirements of a new company registration. After which, our specialists collect, prepare the necessary documents and submit the application for company registration. At the end of the registration procedure, the certificate of Incorporation may be delivered to you via courier service or an email addressed by the founders of the company. The company registration and incorporation gives operation and transactional rights in the UK, Northern Ireland, and countries of the Commonwealth.

To operate or establish a company outside Great Britain (the UK), legalization or apostillation of documents is required for some states, in particular the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The processing of legalized documents (apostillation) and sending hard copy of the certificate to another state can take 7-10 days. 

SUBMISSION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF A REGISTERED COMPANY IN GREAT BRITAIN

Annual accounts are filed once a year electronically. The first report must be submitted within twenty one (21) months after the end of a financial period in which the firm was registered, and must reflect all financial transactions for that specified period. Subsequently, financial reports should be submitted every year but within (nine) 9 months of every financial year.

Regardless of a company’s financial activities in Great Britain or not, there is an obligation to file financial reports regularly. Any delay in the filing of those reports are met with a fine, special (simplified) report formats are provided for companies that don’t carry out any activity. In addition, companies are required to submit tax returns not later than 12 months after the end of the tax period. Calculation of taxes and their payments are assigned to each tax resident, the tax authorities carry out control and application of penal sanctions in case of violations.

COMPANY REGISTRATION IN GREAT BRITAIN - WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULTIES?

The main problem of incorporating or registering a company in the UK is the fundamental difference between the system of legislation in Great Britain and that of  the continental legal system (including the Russian Federation). The Great Britain makes use of the ‘case law’ system, that is, the law is based on the application of  previous court decisions to emerging legal disputes.

Therefore, it is important to get familiarized with the rule of law and legal decisions of different regions or states, as certain laws have been in place for decades and even centuries. It means entrepreneurs or business men not familiar with this system, will require an employee who specializes in Anglo-Saxon law.

Other difficulties include the involved paperwork (annual accounts, corporation tax return, ‘pay as you earn’ scheme) to complete, restricted capital raise and more regulatory requirements and compliance from the Companies House.

GREAT BRITAIN COMPANY FORMATION FAQs

• How much does it cost to register a company in Great Britain?

The cost of registering a company in Great Britain is 1500.00USD. The total cost includes comprehensive review, the company registration and certificate.

• How can I check if a company is registered in Great Britain?

Contact Law and Trust International, our Lawyers get in touch with the Companies House, working with them closely to verify the registration of a business or company.

• How to register a business name in Great Britain?

The registration process begins with a free consultation and expert assessment from our lawyers, ensuring it complies with the requirements of a new company registration. After which, our specialists collect, prepare the necessary documents and submit the application for company registration. At the end of the registration procedure, the certificate of incorporation may be delivered to you via courier service.

• How long does it take to register a company in United Kingdom?

It generally takes from one to ten days depending on the selected form of registration and type of company to be instituted.  

• Do I need Business licenses and permits in England?

Yes, to operate or run a business in England, a license or permit is needed.

WHY INCORPORATE WITH LAW&TRUST INTERNATIONAL?

Benefits of business incorporation in Great Britain with the Law&Trust International team include:

• Full range of related services: Provision of a full range of legal, corporate, government, and business intelligence related services.
• Professionals and expertise of Law: Worldwide registration and legal maintenance of companies, accounting services and audit, tax planning and optimization, trademark and patent registration, and many more. Best professionals are always available to help your business.
• Thorough domestic service: Law&Trust ensure our services cover every region of Great Britain. No matter where you decide, be rest assured we got the location covered.
• Free initial advice: Lawyers of L&T provide free initial advice, as well as services for analyzing and developing a legal position on the issue you have raised.
• Fast and safe: Law&Trust keeps every clients’ details secured.
• Efficiency and productivity: Strategically providing up to date personalized services to help your business succeed.

READY FOR COMPANY INCORPORATION?

If you are interested in registering and incorporating a company in Great Britain, Law&Trust International can help. Simply send us an email or call now to take your business to the next level!