If you want to register limited company UK, stop pretending the “registration” is the hard part. It isn’t. The hard part is running the company properly afterwards: getting the structure right, staying on top of deadlines, and not sleepwalking into VAT or tax problems.

This guide covers the full process of registering a UK limited company, the key costs (including Companies House fee changes from 1 February 2026), VAT basics, Corporation Tax rates, and a clean first-year compliance checklist.

Limited company vs sole trader: why people choose Ltd (and what they ignore)

A private limited company (Ltd) is popular because:

Limited liability: the company is a separate legal person (you’re not automatically personally liable for everything).
Professional credibility: some clients and suppliers take Ltd more seriously.
Ownership flexibility: you can add shareholders later, issue shares, etc.

But here’s what people conveniently forget: a Ltd comes with public filings and admin. If you hate paperwork and deadlines, don’t start a Ltd and then complain about paperwork and deadlines.

Step 1: Choose a company name (and do basic checks properly)

Companies House has naming rules and availability checks. Practical tips:

Check the domain name is available.
Check social handles.
Avoid names confusingly similar to competitors (brand and legal pain later).

Also: don’t pick a name that locks you into a too-narrow niche unless you’re sure. Rebrands cost money and momentum.

Step 2: Pick your registered office address (this becomes public)

Your registered office address must be in the UK jurisdiction where the company is registered (England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). This address appears on the public register and is where official mail is sent.

Common mistakes:

Using an address where you don’t reliably receive post
Using a personal address when you actually want privacy

If you miss official mail, you don’t get a “nice warning.” You get penalties.

Step 3: Decide director(s), shareholder(s), and PSC info

You’ll need:

At least 1 director
At least 1 shareholder
PSC (Person with Significant Control) information if someone controls the company (typically via shares/votes)

Even if you are the only person involved, enter details consistently. Banking and compliance friction often comes from sloppy mismatched data.

Step 4: Choose share structure (keep it simple unless you have a real reason)

For most single-founder companies, simple is best:

1 ordinary share (often £1 nominal value), 100% owned by you

Don’t randomly create multiple share classes because you read “tax strategy” advice online. Most of it is either wrong, outdated, or not for your situation.

Step 5: Choose SIC code(s) that actually match your activity

SIC codes describe what your company does. Pick the closest accurate code(s).
No, it doesn’t “boost SEO.” It’s for classification.

Step 6: Incorporate your company with Companies House (fees matter more in 2026)

You can register online through Companies House (or via an agent/software).

Important: Companies House fees are changing from 1 February 2026. The UK government announcement lists the changes, including:

Digital incorporation fee becomes £100
Digital confirmation statement fee becomes £50

A published fee table also lists these updated fees and shows paper filing costs are higher.

What you’ll get after incorporation

Once incorporated, you’ll receive:

Certificate of incorporation
Company number
Company appears on the public register

Great. Now you need to run it like a real business, not a hobby.

Step 7: Open a business bank account (expect checks)

Banks commonly request:

ID + proof of address
Company documents
Basic business info (website, contracts, nature of business)

If your site looks messy or your business description is vague, don’t act surprised when onboarding drags.

Step 8: Understand Corporation Tax rates (they’re not “one flat rate”)

Your company pays Corporation Tax on taxable profits.

For Corporation Tax years starting 1 April, the UK has:

Small profits rate: 19% for profits under £50,000
Main rate: 25% for profits over £250,000
Marginal Relief applies between the lower and upper limits

So no—don’t assume “it’s 19%” or “it’s 25%” without checking where your profits sit.

Practical takeaway: forecast profit quarterly (at minimum). If you only discover your profit at year-end, you’re doing it wrong.

Step 9: VAT planning (this is where small businesses get ambushed)

The UK VAT registration rules are based on rolling 12-month taxable turnover.

You generally must register for VAT when total taxable turnover is more than £90,000
You can optionally deregister if taxable turnover is less than £88,000

When VAT registration is less painful

VAT is usually easier if:

You sell B2B to VAT-registered clients (they can often reclaim VAT)
Your prices can absorb VAT without killing demand

When VAT is a headache

VAT hurts more if:

You sell B2C and compete on price
Your margins are thin
Your bookkeeping is chaotic (VAT hates chaos)

Pedantic but true: VAT isn’t “a problem when you cross £90k.” VAT is a pricing and positioning issue long before you reach the threshold.

Step 10: Register for PAYE if you’ll pay salaries

If you plan to pay yourself or staff a salary, you may need to register as an employer and run payroll (PAYE).
If you’re unsure, get advice early—payroll errors create long, annoying messes.

First-Year Compliance Checklist (Ltd)

This is the part most people skip, then regret.

Monthly

Bookkeeping updated (income, expenses, receipts)
Separate business vs personal spending (don’t mix—ever)
Basic cashflow check (what’s coming in, what’s going out)

Quarterly

Profit estimate (so you’re not guessing your tax bill)
VAT returns (if VAT-registered)
Review subscriptions/software creep (small leaks add up)

Annually

Confirmation statement (fee applies; note 2026 fee change)
Annual accounts filing
Corporation Tax return + payment
Renew insurance policies (if relevant)

If you miss deadlines, penalties happen. Nobody cares that you were “busy.”

Common mistakes that slow growth (or get you fined)

1) Treating the company bank account like your personal wallet

This creates bookkeeping confusion and tax risk. If you want simplicity, be a sole trader. A Ltd requires discipline.

2) No documentation

No invoices, no contracts, no clear records = easy disputes, hard tax compliance.

3) Waiting too long to systemise finances

Use decent bookkeeping practices from month one. You don’t “graduate” into admin later.

4) Ignoring VAT until it’s too late

VAT is about rolling turnover, not calendar-year vanity metrics. Track it properly.

Practical “Do This Now” Setup (day 1)

Create a simple chart of accounts (income categories + expense categories)
Set up:
- Business email on your domain
- Cloud storage folder structure (Invoices, Receipts, Bank, Contracts)
- Monthly finance routine (same day each month)
Keep a compliance calendar:
- Confirmation statement date
- Accounts due date
- Tax return due date

Boring? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.

FAQ (for featured snippets)

What does “register limited company UK” mean?

It means incorporating a company with Companies House so your business becomes a separate legal entity (Ltd), with directors, shareholders, and ongoing filing obligations.

How much does it cost to register a limited company in the UK in 2026?

Companies House fees are changing from 1 February 2026. The government announcement states the digital incorporation fee will be £100.

What is the VAT threshold in the UK?

GOV.UK lists the VAT registration threshold as more than £90,000 taxable turnover (rolling 12 months).

What are the UK Corporation Tax rates?

GOV.UK lists a 19% small profits rate (under £50,000) and a 25% main rate (over £250,000), with Marginal Relief between limits.