Everything You Need to Know

The Companies House filing fee and any provider fees should be checked in the current application journey. A third-party partner offer may be available, but it is controlled by Tide and subject to current eligibility and terms. Sterling Formations does not add undisclosed fees.

Companies House is the UK government's official registrar of companies. It incorporates and dissolves limited companies, registers company information, and makes it publicly available. All UK limited companies are registered here — there's no alternative official route.

A private limited company (Ltd) is the most common UK business structure. It's a separate legal entity from its owners, which means your personal assets are protected if the business runs into difficulty. It also has tax advantages and looks more credible to clients and suppliers than being a sole trader.

A private limited company (Ltd) cannot offer shares to the general public. A public limited company (PLC) can trade shares on a stock exchange and requires a minimum share capital of £50,000. For the vast majority of startups and small businesses, a private limited company is the right structure.

No. Sterling provides company formation guidance and links to a third-party Tide partner journey. We don't provide legal or accounting advice. For specific tax or legal questions, consult a qualified accountant or solicitor.

Tide is a business banking provider. Any Tide account, fee, offer, or reimbursement is governed by Tide's own current product information, approval process, and eligibility criteria.

Eligibility is decided by Tide and can change. Review the current offer, account criteria, registered-office requirements, and reimbursement terms in the application journey before proceeding.

Yes — nationality is not the only consideration when forming a UK limited company. You need a suitable UK registered office address, and any third-party banking or partner offer may have separate residency and identity requirements.

Bad credit does not automatically prevent you from becoming a company director, but it may affect a separate business-account application. Tide makes its own approval decisions independently.

Through this platform you can register a Private Company Limited by Shares (Ltd) — the most common structure for UK startups and small businesses. It's suitable for freelancers, consultants, e-commerce businesses, tradespeople, and almost any other commercial activity.

In most cases, no. The vast majority of business activities are eligible. Some regulated activities (financial services, healthcare, etc.) may have additional licensing requirements on top of company registration, but the registration process itself is the same.

Application length and Companies House processing times vary. The Certificate of Incorporation is issued after Companies House accepts the application; no fixed completion time is guaranteed.

Our platform checks name availability in real time as you type. If a name is already registered or too similar to an existing company, you'll be told immediately so you can choose a different one before submitting.

You can complete an application from outside the UK, but you must have a suitable UK registered office address. Any third-party banking offer may apply separate residency and identity checks.

Rejections are rare and usually result from a company name issue or a missing detail. Companies House will notify you of the specific reason. In most cases you can correct and resubmit without paying the fee again.

You can register directly with Companies House or choose another provider. A Tide partner offer, if available, is separate from the legal Companies House incorporation process and requires you to accept Tide's current terms.

Once incorporated you'll receive three documents as professional PDFs: Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, and Articles of Association. These are the same official documents every UK limited company receives.

This is the official address of your company as it appears on the public Companies House register. It must be a physical address in the UK where official correspondence can be delivered. It doesn't have to be where you work from — many founders use a home address or a professional registered office service.

Directors' names and registered office addresses are publicly visible on Companies House. If you use your home address as the registered office, it will be public. To keep your home address private, use a separate service address — a professional address service or your accountant's address, for example.

We use bank-grade encryption for all data in transit and at rest. Your information is only shared with Companies House (legally required for registration) and Tide (for the bank account application). We don't sell or share your data with any third parties.

Standard Industrial Classification codes describe your company's main business activity. You must choose at least one during registration. There are hundreds to choose from — if your activity spans multiple categories, you can select up to four.

The most time-sensitive action is registering for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade. You'll also need to open a business bank account (if you haven't via Tide), and keep Companies House updated about your company each year.

Corporation Tax is the tax UK limited companies pay on their profits. The current main rate is 25% (19% for profits under £50,000 on the small profits rate). You must register with HMRC, file an annual Company Tax Return, and pay any tax owed within 9 months of your financial year end.

An annual filing to Companies House that confirms your company's key details (directors, shareholders, registered address, share structure) are up to date. It costs £34 if filed online and is due every 12 months from the date of incorporation.

Your first annual accounts are typically due 21 months after your company's registration date. Subsequent accounts are due 9 months after the end of your financial year. Filing late incurs automatic penalties from Companies House.

It's not a legal requirement, but most company directors benefit from having one — especially in the first year when you're learning about Corporation Tax, VAT thresholds, payroll (if you pay yourself a salary), and annual filings. An accountant can save you more than their fee in avoided mistakes and tax efficiency.

Yes. You can change your company name by passing a special resolution of the shareholders and filing a form with Companies House (currently a small fee). Your Certificate of Incorporation will be reissued with the new name.

A limited company is a separate legal entity and must have its own bank account — you cannot legally use a personal account for limited company finances. It's also essential for maintaining the 'corporate veil' that protects your personal assets.

Tide's standard account is free — no monthly fee. It includes a business debit card, mobile app, invoicing tools, and integration with accounting software like Xero and FreeAgent. It's well-suited for freelancers, consultants, and small businesses.

Yes. You're not locked into any provider after registration. You can open accounts with other banks and use them however you choose. Any Tide offer or account arrangement is separate from your ongoing banking decisions.