Companies House guidance states…
A company may apply to the registrar to be struck off the register and dissolved. The company can do this if it is no longer needed. For example, the directors may wish to retire and there is no one to take over from them; or
it is a subsidiary whose name is no longer needed; or it was set up to exploit an idea that turned out not to be feasible. Some companies who are dormant or non trading choose to apply for strike off. If you have
decided that you no longer want to retain your company and wish to have it struck off, the registrar will not normally pursue any outstanding late filing penalties unless you restore the company to the register at a later stage.
HMRC have some useful advice too http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/dealingwith/changes/close-sell-business.htm?WT.ac=stopselfemp
An alternative, if the business has assets is to use an Members Voluntary Liquidation (MVL).
- The Insolvency Practitioner will ask your Accountant to confirm that the clients tax affairs are inorder and that appropriate advice has been given
- Final Accounts will need to be prepared and creditors paid
- A Declaration of Insolvency will be signed – The declaration of insolvency demonstrates that the company will be able to settle or secure liabilities and the costs of liquidation within 12 months
- A meeting of Shareholders will appoint the Insolvency Practitioner
- Notices will be posted at Companies House and in the London Gazzette
- Then the MVL can be a carried out and funds distributed
- Arrangements can be put in place to allow the directors access to funds during the process
Here are my top 5 reasons why an MVL might be a good choice:
- The change in 2012 capped capital distributions on striking off at £25,000 but this cap does not apply to liquidations
- You want to retire and close your business and extract the net worth
- You created a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for a specific project and the company is no longer needed
- Companies that are stuck off can be re-instated but that’s not the case with liquidated companies
- Entrepreneurs Tax Relief may be applicable meaning the capital distribution is taxed at 10%
You may also consider disincorporation.
steve@bicknells.net
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