Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Post Company Formation FAQs

• What support is provided after I've formed my company?
• What are the annual filings?
• What official documents will I receive after forming my company?

Costs of Setting Up a Business FAQs

• Are there any hidden costs?
• What payment methods do Companies MadeSimple accept?

Company Formation Process FAQs

• When can I start trading with my new company?
• How long does it take to register a company?
• What information do I need to set up a company?
• How do I choose and register a company name?
• Do I need a business bank account?
• Do I have to be in the UK to form a company?

Directors and Shareholders FAQs

• Will my address be publicly available?
• Can I register a company on my own?
• How many shares do I need to issue?
• Do I need to appoint a director for my company?

Company Formation Overview FAQs

• Why should I form a limited company?
• What type of company structure is most commonly chosen by UK businesses?
• What is a company Limited by Shares?
• What are my options for registering a new company?
• Why should I choose Companies MadeSimple?

Companies House Changes (May 1st 2024)

• What additional charges will there be if I submit a previously purchased formation package or service after May 1st? (Companies House May 2024 Update)
• Submitting your incorporation before the price increase (Companies House May 2024 Update)
• Why has an additional charge been added to my Confirmation Statement? (Companies House May 2024 Update)
• Why has an additional charge been added to my company formation? (Companies House May 2024 Update)
• What is the ‘Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act’? (Companies House May 2024 Update)
• Why have Companies House’s fees gone up? (Companies House May 2024 Update)

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Credit Report (Subscriptions) FAQs

• Will my company report credits rollover once my subscription period comes to an end?
• What savings do I enjoy when buying the Unlimited company report subscription package?
• What happens when my subscription expires?
• What do I get when I buy a 'Monthly Subscription with Unlimited Credits' service?
• How do I cancel my Unlimited company report auto-renewal subscription?

Virtual Office [Mail Forwarding] FAQs

• What happens when the 3 months of Mail Forwarding Services finish?
• Are there any additional charges to consider when purchasing the 3 month mail forwarding service?
• What type of mail can I receive with the Mail Forwarding Service for 3 months?
• Can I use your address as my Registered Office if I purchase the mail forwarding for 3 months?
• Mail Forwarding Service vs. Registered Office Service

PAYE Registration Assistance FAQs

• How does the PAYE application process work?
• What information is needed from me to register for PAYE?
• Why register for PAYE?

VAT Registration Assistance FAQs

• How long does it take for my company to be VAT registered from when I purchase?
• Can you register my company for the VAT Flat Rate Scheme?
• Can non-UK residents register for VAT?
• When completing the VAT form, which address should I use as my "business address"?
• Why Register for VAT?

PSC Register FAQs

• Who do I need to add to the PSC register?
• Do I need to submit my PSC register somewhere?
• What if a company's PSC information changes?
• What information do I need to keep on the PSC Register?
• What is a PSC Register?

Payment FAQs

• What do I do if I cannot afford to pay right now?
• Can I pay via Direct Debit?
• What options do I have in order to pay?
• Will I be informed if my payment does not go through?
• Can I change my payment method?

Renewal FAQs

• How can I find out when my renewal is due and how much will come out?
• Can I upgrade or downgrade my package?
• How do I cancel if I no longer require the service?
• Does the payment come out automatically?
• How do I know if my service is renewable?

Fraud Protection FAQs

• What do I get with the Fraud Protection service?
• Is the Fraud Protection Service Renewable?
• What Changes will I be notified about through the Fraud Protection Service?
• How does the Fraud Protection service work?

Dormant Company Accounts FAQs

• What if I file my Dormant Company Accounts Late?
• Can LLPs file dormant company accounts through Companies MadeSimple?
• Can I purchase the Dormant Company Accounts service if I did not form my company through Company Formation MadeSimple?
• How often must Dormant Company Accounts be filed?
• What are Dormant Company Accounts?

Transfer of Shares FAQs

• Shares Services - Where can I view my documents?
• What Information do I Need to Provide to Transfer Shares?
• What is Stamp Duty?
• What is the Transfer of Shares Service?
• What happens if I transfer "all" shares to a new shareholder?
• Why would I need to Transfer Shares?

Issue of Shares FAQs

• Why would I need to Issue Shares?
• What Information do I Need to Provide to Issue Shares?
• What is the Issue of Shares Service?
• What Class of Shares can be Issued?
• How Many Shares can be Issued at any One Time?

Company Secretarial Service FAQs

• Can I renew the Company Secretarial service?
• If I do not use up all ten changes, can I carry them over into the following year?
• Can I use my ten company changes on a different company?
• How many changes can I make with the Company Secretarial service?
• How do I use the Company Secretarial service?

Company Seal, Stamp and Register FAQs

• What is a Company Seal?
• What is a Company Stamp?
• What is a Company Register?
• Are the company stamp and seal customisable?
• How much are the delivery costs for either the stamp, seal or register?

Company Name Change FAQs

• How long will it take to change my company name?
• How can I check if my new company name is available?
• Who do I need to Notify if I change my Company Name?
• If I change my Company Name will I get a new Certificate of Incorporation?
• What if my New Company Name contains a Sensitive Word?

Company Dissolution FAQs

• Can a company be restored once it has been dissolved?
• Will I still need to file Annual Accounts and a Confirmation Statement whilst the company is in the process of dissolution?
• How long will it take to close down my company?
• What other terms are used in place of "Company Dissolution"?
• Can all Limited Companies file a Dissolution Request?

Certificate of Good Standing FAQs

• Can you send my Certificate of Good Standing to someone else?
• How do I show my company is in Good Standing?
• Why is it important to be in Good Standing?
• What does Good Standing mean?
• What is a Certificate of Good Standing?

Apostilled Documents FAQs

• Will an Apostilled Document be accepted by any Country?
• How does the Apostilled Document Service work?
• How many Documents can I get Apostilled at any one time?
• What kind of Documents can be Apostilled using our Service?
• Why would I get my Documents Apostilled?

Contractor Package [Limited by Shares] FAQs

• What is included in the Contractor formation Package?
• What if I no longer need the limited company formed through the Contractor Package?
• What is IR35 legislation and how does it affect me as a contractor?
• How much will I save if I set up a limited company as a contractor?

Ultimate Formation [Limited by Shares] FAQs

• Will my company mail be forwarded internationally with the International Package?
• How does the VAT registration work in the Ultimate Package?
• Are there any additional postage costs for the Mail Forwarding service in my Ultimate Package?
• What are the 2 mail forwarding aspects of my Ultimate Package
• Is the Ultimate Package renewable?
• What is included in the Ultimate formation Package?

Comprehensive Formation [Limited by Shares] FAQs

• When will I receive my incorporation documents with the Comprehensive Package?
• When is the Confirmation Statement prepared and filed within my Comprehensive Package?
• Is the Comprehensive Package renewable?
• What is included in the Comprehensive formation Package?
• Why might I choose to form a company with the Comprehensive Package?

Privacy Formation [Limited by Shares] FAQs

• How much are the charges to forward mail with the Privacy Package?
• What Registered Office address do you provide with the Privacy Formation Package?
• Is the Privacy Package renewable?
• What is included in the Privacy formation Package?
• Why might I choose to form a company with the Privacy Package?

Basic Formation [Limited by Shares] FAQs

• Are there any additional costs with the Basic Package?
• When can I start trading with my new company?
• Can I print the Certificate of Incorporation myself?
• I'm not sure what I need right now, can I buy the Basic Package and add other services to it later?
• What type of company do I get with the Basic Package?

Confirmation Statement FAQs

• Can I update my company’s shareholding when filing a Confirmation Statement?
• What can I update with the Confirmation Statement?
• What if I file my Confirmation Statement Late?
• Can I purchase a Confirmation Statement Service if I did not form my company through Company Formation MadeSimple?
• How often must a Confirmation Statement be filed?
• What is a Confirmation Statement?

Shelf Company FAQs

• Why purchase a Shelf Company?
• What is a Shelf Company?
• Do I have to use my own Registered Office with my Shelf Company purchase?
• Is it safe to buy a Shelf Company?
• I do not like any of the company names you are offering for a Shelf Company

Reserve A Company Name FAQs

• Do I have to worry about the responsibilities of owning a limited company if I reserve it?
• What happens if I no longer need the reserved company?
• Why would I choose to Reserve a Company Name?
• Why does a Limited Company have to be created to Reserve a Name?
• I had Reserved a Company Name, how do I take Full Control of the Company?

International Package FAQs

• How do I receive my incorporation documents with the International Package?
• Is there a renewal fee for the International package?
• What if I do not have an address that I can use for the Registered Office as I do not live in the UK?
• Can I set up a UK limited company if I live outside of the UK and if I’m not a UK national?

Limited Liability Partnership FAQs

• How are LLPs governed?
• Does a UK LLP pay tax?
• What details do I need to form a Limited Liability Partnership?
• How many partners can an LLP have?
• What is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)?

Limited by Guarantee FAQs

• How does the Limited by Guarantee with Privacy package work?
• What details do I need to form a Limited by Guarantee company?
• What is a Limited by Guarantee company?
• Can you Remove Limited (LTD) from the end of my Company Name? [Section 60]
• What type of Companies generally form Limited by Guarantee Companies?

Limited Company Filing Requirements FAQs

• Can you help us with our annual filings?
• Do I still need to file even if I keep my company dormant?
• What are the annual requirements of a limited company?
• Will I get a fine if I file my Accounts late?

Company Formation FAQs

• What is the formation process with Companies MadeSimple?
• Can anyone look over my application before submission?
• Can there by just one person listed as an officer of the company?
• How Long does a Company Formation Take?
• When will I receive my Incorporation Documents?

Limited by Shares FAQs

• What details do I need to form a Limited by Shares company?
• How many shares can I have in my company?
• How old do you need to be to own shares in a company?
• What is a Limited by Shares company?
• What's the Difference between a Shareholder and a Subscriber?

Proof of ID & Address FAQs

• What happens if I am not ID checked?
• ID check required for somebody else?
• Need help with ID?
• What ID do I need to provide?
• Do I need to provide ID?

Registered Office [Mail Forwarding] FAQs

• What mail can I receive with the Registered Office service?
• What is Official Government Mail?
• Registered Office Mail Forwarding vs. Virtual Office Mail Forwarding
• What happens to my Mail once it reaches your Office?
• How will I know that I have received post?

RP07 (Disputed Registered Office Address)

• Companies House Default Address
• How will I know if an RP07 has been filed against my company?
• What is an RP07 and why would it be filed?
• Can I use the address again after the RP07 has been filed?
• When does Companies MadeSimple use RP07's, and can I use the Address again?

Registered Office FAQs

• Can this service be used as the service address for all of the officers in the company?
• Can I change my Registered Office Address after company formation?
• Can I purchase a Registered Office at the same time as forming my company?
• What is a Registered Office Address?
• Can I move my company’s Registered Office to a different country?

Other

• Where to find us
• How to Claim Cashback
• Renewal Fees
• Offshore Companies

UK Limited Companies

• What do I need in order to register my limited company?
• Can I register and run a company by myself?
• Does Companies MadeSimple provide a Registered Office Address?
• Why Should I form a Limited Company?
• What happens once my Company has been Formed?
• How Long Before my Company is Registered?

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Our System

• Do you offer a company formations reseller package?
• Can I Form a Company over the Phone?
• Do you Offer Nominee Services?
• What is Maintenance of Statutory Books?
• What is Credit (Payment Method)?
• I have Noticed a Payment has left my Account but I did not Authorise this?

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