Don't need your company any more, or returning to Poland? We will close it safely: file the final year's accounts, deregister VAT and PAYE, and then submit the strike-off application to Companies House. In Polish and remotely.
Voluntary strike off is the simplest and cheapest route for a company with no debts that has not traded in the last 3 months. You file form DS01 - it costs £13 online. Companies House publishes a notice and after about 2 months the company disappears from the register.
Members' voluntary liquidation of a solvent company (MVL) is more expensive because it is run by a licensed liquidator, but where larger amounts are held in the company it can result in more favourable taxation of the payout for shareholders.
A dormant company still exists but does not trade. It files simplified accounts and a confirmation statement. It makes sense if you plan to return to business.
| Strike off (DS01) | Liquidation (MVL) | Dormant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company continues to exist | no | no | yes |
| Official fee | £13 online | liquidator's fees | annual confirmation statement |
| Time | approx. 3 months | several months | - |
| Best for | company with no debts and little cash | larger funds to distribute | a break in trading |
Returning to Poland? Closing the company is sometimes the simplest way to avoid problems with the place of management and the CFC rules, but sometimes it is better to keep the company. See returning to Poland with a UK company and the article How to close an LTD company.
A company that has been struck off cannot easily be restored - it is worth comparing your options before filing the application.
An application for voluntary strike off (DS01) filed online costs £13 at Companies House. On top of that comes the cost of preparing the final accounts and the CT600 return. Liquidation by a liquidator (MVL) is more expensive.
After the DS01 application is filed, Companies House publishes a notice in The Gazette. If no one objects, the company is struck off after about 2 months. Including the preparation of documents, the whole process usually takes about 3 months.
Not through voluntary strike off. A company with unpaid liabilities must either settle them or go through another procedure, e.g. liquidation conducted by a licensed liquidator.
The funds must be withdrawn before the company is struck off - usually as a dividend. Money and assets left in the company after it is struck off pass to the Crown.
It is a company that exists but does not trade. It files simplified annual accounts and a confirmation statement, and the directors must verify their identity. It is a good option if you plan to return to business.
Not always. The company can continue to operate, but managing it from Poland may mean it becomes taxable in Poland. We help you compare whether it is better to close it, make it dormant or keep running it.
Book a free consultation - we'll answer your questions and propose a solution tailored to your goals.