In short: an English company you no longer need should be closed formally, not abandoned — otherwise reporting penalties keep piling up. The simplest route is a voluntary strike off through Companies House.
Ways to close
- Voluntary strike off (form DS01) — for companies with no debts that haven't traded in the last three months.
- Voluntary liquidation — when the company has assets or liabilities to settle.
How we close your company
- Review. We check the company's filings, taxes, accounts and debts.
- Preparation. We file any overdue returns and close HMRC registrations.
- Accounts. We help close bank and fintech accounts.
- Application. We file the application with Companies House.
- Strike off. A notice is published in The Gazette, and no earlier than two months later the company is removed from the register if there are no objections.
What we need from you
- Company details and access, if someone else handled the reporting.
- Information on accounts, assets and debts.
- The directors' agreement to close.
Price
Closing an English company — on request. The price depends on whether overdue filings need to be submitted.
FAQ
Can I just stop filing?
No. Companies House will charge penalties and the director can be held liable. Closing the company formally is the better route.
What happens to money left in the account?
It must be distributed or spent before applying. After strike off, any remaining company property passes to the Crown.
Can a closed company be restored?
In many cases, yes, through restoration — but it is more complex and costly.