United Kingdom

How to register a company in the UK: tax, fees and annual filings, from official sources.

Company type: Private company limited by shares (Ltd)
Headline corporate tax: 25%
Registration fee: Companies House incorporation fee: £100 online or via software, £124 by post (form IN01); same-day incorporation £156 (software only). Fees per Companies House fee schedule updated 2 July 2026.
Region: Europe outside the EU

A UK private limited company is registered online with Companies House for £100, needs a registered office in the UK but no UK-resident director, and pays corporation tax at 19% to 25% depending on profit.

The figures below come from the registry, tax authority and statutes linked under Sources, as they stood on 30 September 2026. Fees and thresholds change, so check the linked official page before you file. This is general information, not tax or legal advice for your situation.

Questions

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

Companies House incorporation fee: £100 online or via software, £124 by post (form IN01); same-day incorporation £156 (software only). Fees per Companies House fee schedule updated 2 July 2026.

What is the corporate tax rate in the UK?

Corporation Tax main rate is 25% for profits over £250,000; a 19% small profits rate applies to profits of £50,000 or less, with Marginal Relief between £50,000 and £250,000 (thresholds reduced for short periods and associated companies).

Can a non-resident set up a company in the UK?

Registration is an online Companies House service (also by post, via an agent or third-party software). Directors do not have to live in the UK. Directors and PSCs may need to verify identity online with GOV.UK One Login and provide a Companies House personal code.

Annual deadlines for this and other jurisdictions are in the company filing deadlines calendar. Compare VAT registration limits across Europe in the VAT registration thresholds table. Read next: UK company accounts: prepare for April 2028. Read next: Companies House identity checks: the PSC guide.

Corporate tax: Corporation Tax main rate is 25% for profits over £250,000; a 19% small profits rate applies to profits of £50,000 or less, with Marginal Relief between £50,000 and £250,000 (thresholds reduced for short periods and associated companies).
Minimum capital: No minimum stated: at least one shareholder is required and 'the price of an individual share can be any value'; shares only have to be paid in full if the company shuts down (no pre-registration paying-in requirement stated).
Forming it from abroad: Registration is an online Companies House service (also by post, via an agent or third-party software). Directors do not have to live in the UK. Directors and PSCs may need to verify identity online with GOV.UK One Login and provide a Companies House personal code.
Local requirements: UK registered office: a physical address in the UK, in the same jurisdiction as the company (England and Wales), not a PO Box; a registered email address; at least one director aged 16 or over (no UK residency required); company secretary optional.
VAT, GST or sales tax: Must register when taxable turnover for the last 12 months exceeds £90,000 (or is expected to within the next 30 days); non-UK-established businesses supplying in the UK must register regardless of turnover. Standard VAT rate 20% (reduced 5%, zero 0%).
Annual filings: Annual accounts to Companies House: 9 months after financial year end (first accounts: 21 months after incorporation). Confirmation statement: at least once every 12 months, up to 14 days after the review period ends (£50 online fee). Company Tax Return (CT600) to HMRC: 12 months after end of accounting period; Corporation Tax payment due 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period (profits up to £1.5m). From 1 April 2028 accounts must be filed using commercial software.
Audit: For financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2025 a private company may be exempt from audit if it meets at least 2 of: turnover ≤ £15m, assets ≤ £7.5m, ≤ 50 employees; shareholders holding ≥10% can still demand an audit; some types (e.g. public, banking, e-money, MiFID firms) must always be audited.
Beneficial owners: People with significant control (PSCs, e.g. >25% of shares or votes) must be registered with Companies House and verify their identity; most PSC information is on the public register except home address and full date of birth.
Also know: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act regime: directors and PSCs must verify identity with Companies House (personal code). Companies House will require software-only accounts filing from 1 April 2028. The confirmation statement carries an annual £50 online fee. Guidance is for England and Wales; a Scottish or NI company must have its registered office in that jurisdiction.
Company registry: Companies House
Registry website: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
Tax authority page: gov.uk
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026
Sources: Source Link
Companies House fees https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees
Set up a private limited company: Register your company https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/register-your-company
Corporation Tax rates https://www.gov.uk/corporation-tax-rates
Register for VAT: when to register https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register
VAT rates https://www.gov.uk/vat-rates
Audit exemption for private limited companies https://www.gov.uk/audit-exemptions-for-private-limited-companies
Rules for registered office and email addresses https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/company-address
Appoint directors and a company secretary https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/appoint-directors-and-company-secretaries
Choose your shareholders https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/shareholders
Accounts and tax returns for private limited companies https://www.gov.uk/prepare-file-annual-accounts-for-limited-company
Running a limited company: confirmation statement https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company/confirmation-statement
Company Tax Returns https://www.gov.uk/company-tax-returns
Your personal information on the Companies House register https://www.gov.uk/guidance/your-personal-information-on-the-companies-house-register
People with significant control (PSCs) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-significant-control-pscs
File your company's annual accounts https://www.gov.uk/file-your-company-annual-accounts

Source	Link
Companies House fees	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-fees/companies-house-fees
Set up a private limited company: Register your company	https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/register-your-company
Corporation Tax rates	https://www.gov.uk/corporation-tax-rates
Register for VAT: when to register	https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register
VAT rates	https://www.gov.uk/vat-rates
Audit exemption for private limited companies	https://www.gov.uk/audit-exemptions-for-private-limited-companies
Rules for registered office and email addresses	https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/company-address
Appoint directors and a company secretary	https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/appoint-directors-and-company-secretaries
Choose your shareholders	https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/shareholders
Accounts and tax returns for private limited companies	https://www.gov.uk/prepare-file-annual-accounts-for-limited-company
Running a limited company: confirmation statement	https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company/confirmation-statement
Company Tax Returns	https://www.gov.uk/company-tax-returns
Your personal information on the Companies House register	https://www.gov.uk/guidance/your-personal-information-on-the-companies-house-register
People with significant control (PSCs)	https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-significant-control-pscs
File your company's annual accounts	https://www.gov.uk/file-your-company-annual-accounts