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Dissolving a limited company is a fairly straightforward process, but there are specific conditions and requirements that need careful consideration. The dissolution process is a cost-effective way to close down your business, and the company is removed from the register at Companies House. There must be no insolvency procedures in existence or pending, and once a closure date has been decided upon, you need to work through a checklist of actions prior to making the application. During the three months leading up to dissolution, it is crucial that the company does not:
Once all transactions have been processed you can complete and file the company accounts and tax return, making sure to tell HMRC they are the final accounts before dissolution. You will receive notification of the company’s Corporation Tax liability, which should be paid quickly, as dissolution cannot go ahead while there are remaining liabilities.
Any remaining assets should be divided between shareholders prior to the date for dissolution. Once the company no longer exists, any unallocated assets or cash in the bank will go to the Crown as they are deemed to have no legal owner.
When all of the above has been finalised, a majority of the directors will need to sign the application form DS01, which should be sent to the relevant Companies House address along with a £10 fee. Once the form has been accepted by Companies House, a notice of dissolution will be placed in the local Gazette, and also on the company’s public record. There now remains one of the most important parts of the company closure process – informing all interested parties that the company is being dissolved.
Interested parties include members of staff, creditors, pension fund trustees, HMRC, shareholders and any directors who did not sign the application. Copies of the application form are used as notification, and must be sent within seven days. These requirements also apply to anyone who becomes an ‘interested party’ after the application is made. Creditors are an important group in this part of the closure process, as dissolution cannot go ahead without their agreement. Any creditor who does not receive notification, and who is owed money, has the right to apply for the company to be restored at a later date. The public notice placed in the Gazette also allows for any objections to be made from third parties. Once the business has actually been dissolved, another notice goes in the Gazette stating that the company no longer exists.
It takes a minimum of three months from the time of application to dissolution - this is the time in which creditors can object. Depending on the structure and complexity of your business, however, the process can take a great deal longer. You also need to factor in the initial three-month period leading up to the application, during which time you wind down the company’s affairs and make preparations for dissolution. This is a procedure that cannot be hurried – it requires careful planning, and even more care during execution to ensure that no mistakes are made.
If someone objects to your application for strike-off, they must write to the Registrar of Companies explaining their reasons, and providing evidence to support the objection. They might believe that your company still owes them money, or perhaps that a false declaration has been made. Begbies Traynor offers professional guidance to ensure that requirements are met prior to applying for company dissolution, and to assist should any objections be forthcoming. We have 78 offices around the country, and are able to offer same-day consultations.
Call our Confidential Advice Line. Calls to this number are free of charge.
Call us now...We invite you to come and discuss your enquiry with us at your convenience.
Request a meeting...Call our Confidential Advice Line. Calls to this number are free of charge.
Call us now...We invite you to come and discuss your enquiry with us at your convenience.
Request a meeting...Call our Confidential Advice Line. Calls to this number are free of charge.
Call us now...We invite you to come and discuss your enquiry with us at your convenience.
Request a meeting...