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HOW TO INCORPORATE A HOLDING COMPANY? MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY FORMATION & UK FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANY INCORPORATION:

Definition holding company: Holding Company is a company that usually confines its activities to owning stock in and supervising management of other companies. A holding company usually owns a controlling interest in the companies whose stock it holds.

The UK government has introduced a corporation Tax Exemption for the capital gains of companies with substantial shareholdings in other companies. The legislation sets up the UK as a major international holding company location, and is likely to draw business away from the Danish and Benelux international holding company regimes.

Coddan offers electronic holdings company formation and electronic filing of documents. We also offer nominee secretary and registered office facilities in addition to companies incorporation. We will register a new company with your intended directors, company secretary, registered office and shareholders all in place and recorded at Companies House at the time of registration, although we can of course still use our nominees for incorporation purposes if you prefer. We complete all the minutes, statutory registers and official documents on your behalf, and ensure that all necessary forms and resolutions are correctly filed with the Registrar of Companies.
Finding and Using Information on This Page:  Holding Entities: What is a Holding Company? | The UK as an International Holding Companies Location | Online UK Holding Company Formation | The Renewal of Annual Services | Bank Introduction Services | 

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We offer electronic holding companies filing & holding entities formation services. When first setting up a business there are many issues to consider, not least what whether to register as a company or not. Starting and managing a business takes motivation, desire and talent. It also takes research and planning. Like a chess game, success in small business starts with decisive and correct opening moves. And, although initial mistakes are not fatal, it takes skill, discipline and hard work to regain the advantage. Coddan is one of the foremost and most economical providers of English, Scottish and Irish holding companies formation &: companies registration services. We offer you starting a business in England & Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland. We incorporate over 95% of our companies within 4-8 hours. Electronic submission of information means that we can start-up a company with the required director, secretary and registered office address. Our electronic filing software has been approved by Companies House (Companies House (Companies Registry, Secretary of State) is an Executive Agency of the United Kingdom Government Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)).

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Holding companies exist for legal, commercial and tax reasons. For years it was accepted that the alternatives were either the Luxembourg company established under the 1929 legislation or the Netherlands company enjoying the participation exemption. However, during the last decade various European countries have introduced holding company regimes and many multinationals now face the problem of selecting the right jurisdiction in which to establish their holding company.

An international group requires three things from a holding company. First, the holding company must be able to take dividends out of the operating company free of withholding tax or at a lower rate of withholding tax by virtue of a tax treaty or under the EU Parent/Subsidiary Directive, and to dispose of its investment in the operating company without any liability to capital gains tax or its equivalent in the operating country.

Second, some provisions in the domestic laws of the holding company jurisdiction should wholly or largely exempt such dividends and capital gains from local tax.

Third, the international group should have the ability to take dividends out of the holding company without giving rise to any charge to tax in the holding company jurisdiction. Additional tax considerations may include the existence of a controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, thin capitalization and the ability to obtain interest deduction in full, corporate and local tax rates in respect of other income and any other taxes, for example, capital gains tax and stamp duty.
Compare Prices of Various Forms of UK Companies:  All Inclusive UK Holding Company Formation? I Want to Check Your Packages & Costs 

If you are incorporating a holding company or company limited by guarantee, wish to register company limited by shares or need to form or apply to set-up a public company, or if you wish to buy a ready-made (of-the-shelf) company - Coddan can help. Once you have decided on which business entity to incorporate, simply take a few moments to fill out our online order form.

We will then draft and file your formation documents with the Companies House to register your business as a Private Limited Company, Non-Profit (or Guarantee Company), Flat Management Company, Public Limited Company, Branch or Subsidiary Company. If you have any questions about the companies or partnerships incorporation then please E-Mail or call us: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.

Important Note: 
The formation of limited companies can take 4-8 hours if applications and payment are received before 11:00 AM London-time and Companies House permitting* (Companies House then aim to respond to electronically filed documents within 4-8 working hours. Although this is not always possible, it does generally mean that if you placed an order before midday on a normal working day we can have your company registered by the end of that same day.

Most Holding companies are incorporated within 24 hours of application although there may be occasions where the process can take longer due to circumstances beyond our control) - from only £52.00 - full documents, no activation fees, your own officers, free phone help and advice online (various packages available).

For our overseas clients, we are able to obtain Certificates of Good Standing and Apostille services at competitive prices. We also provide many additional services which can be ordered using our online order form. If it is essential that you have a company today, formed with the name in which you intend to trade, then you must request a "Same Day Company". Orders must be placed before 13:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
You May Use This Form to Register a New UK Holding Company:   Click Here if You Want to Incorporate a UK Holding Company Online 

Live Help:
Live Help is a real time "chat" feature which enables you to interact with a customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our website. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an on-line session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the above opening hours, our business center will be closed. When you click on the button, you will see an e-mail form that will allow you to send us a mail with your questions. Live Help is free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors.

General Advantages of UK Private Limited Companies: 1. Liability is, in the vast majority of cases, strictly limited to the investments made by the shareholders. 2. Company Officers are not personally liable for their actions unless there is a clear and serious breach of their fiduciary duty. 3. Limited companies often benefit from greater prestige than their sole proprietorship or partnership counterparts. The reason is because such an enterprise normally requires more planning and thus is deemed more credible. 4. Limited companies often benefit from significant tax advantages. In fact, many countries around the world give exclusive tax incentives to this type of entity. 5. The rights of shareholders are normally clearly defined and protected. 6. Corporate taxes only become payable after the end of the financial year. This means money that would otherwise be taxed on a monthly or quarterly basis, is available to earn further interest before the final payment of tax. 7. You need only appoint one Director and one Shareholder. 8. Directors can be corporate bodies or private individuals. 9. A Director can be of any nationality. 10. All companies must appoint a company Secretary who can be of any nationality. +44 (0) 207.935.5171 +44 (0) 800.081.1510 +44 (0) 289.099.8744 info@ukincorp.co.uk

Dear visitors, while having a chat session with a customer, we are frequently requested to give a piece of advice on tax planning or business structuring. We would like to inform you that it is against our principles to provide online advice pertaining to these issues. The points that may be covered during a session include service description, package or service price, navigation at our website, ways of making an order, methods of payment etc. Yet, if you wish us to provide you with advice on tax or business structuring, you should be aware that this service is chargeable.

We accept phone orders during normal business hours. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment; we accept VISA, MasterCard and Delta. We can accept payment in UK Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, Euros, Australian Dollars and Canadian Dollars. If you call and receive voicemail, just leave your name and number, as clearly and as possible, and we will call you back as soon as possible.

Monday - Friday: 9:30am to 17:30pm
Saturday: (offices are closed)
Sunday: (offices are closed)
Holidays: (offices are closed on all recognized UK holidays).

Money and Payment Policy: 
Coddan accepts all major currencies. We accept Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Purchasing, JCB, MasterCard, Solo, Switch and Delta. We do NOT charge "surcharges" for credit card transactions. If you do not feel comfortable transmitting your credit card number and other information on the Internet, we suggest you place an order online, choose "Credit Card via Phone" as the payment method, and then phone in to give us your credit card number over the phone. We will charge your credit card manually. Pre-payment with cashier's check or money order is accepted. We accept wire-transfer from anywhere. After you place your order, details about the wire-transfer process will be e-mailed to you on the second e-mail notification. If you missed that e-mail, please call our toll-free number that is given on the order confirmation.

HOLDING ENTITIES. WHAT IS A HOLDING COMPANY?

Holding companies as companies the purpose of which consists exclusively or primly in the administration of assets or in participation in or the permanent administration of interest in other enterprises.

Can a foreign-resident and domiciled person use the services of a UK trustee tax efficiently? There are three taxes to consider here: income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax. For income tax purposes, a foreign resident and domiciled settlor may retain the services of a UK-resident trustee without creating any adverse income tax consequences so long as there is at least one non-UK resident co-trustee.

For capital gains tax purposes, the basic rule is that if all or a majority of the trustees of a trust are resident outside the United Kingdom, and the general administration of the trust is carried on outside the United Kingdom, the trustees will not be within the charge to capital gains tax. However, a UK-resident professional trustee of a trust which only contains settled property from a foreign resident and domiciled person will be treated as non-UK resident for the purposes of that trust. In such a case, where the trustees or a majority of them are or are treated - in relation to that trust - as not resident in the United Kingdom, the general administration of the trust will also be treated as not carried on in the United Kingdom.

So, accordingly, a foreign resident and domiciled settlor may retain the services of a UK-resident trustee, so long as there is at least one other trustee who is non-UK resident (the income tax requirement) and the UK-resident trustee is a professional trustee (the capital gains tax requirement), without creating any adverse income tax or capital gains tax consequences. For inheritance tax, the residence of trustees is not a relevant factor.

Can a UK-incorporated company be non-resident? Prior to the enactment of s.66 Finance Act 1988, it was perfectly possible for a company incorporated under the laws of one of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom to be non-UK resident. All one needed to do was ensure that the company's central management and control was at all relevant times exercised outside the United Kingdom. SECTION 66 REMOVED THIS FLEXIBILITY.

It provided that, subject to certain grand-fathering and transitional rules, a company which was incorporated in the United Kingdom would thenceforth be regarded for all UK tax purposes as resident in the United Kingdom, irrespective of where its central management and control was exercised. Where, however, a company is regarded for the purposes of any double taxation agreement as resident elsewhere, it is treated as non-resident for domestic purposes. Examples of UK tax treaties commonly used to take advantage of this provision are those with Barbados, Cyprus, Mauritius and Switzerland.

Is a UK-incorporated company an appropriate international group holding vehicle? A UK-incorporated company is in principle within the charge to corporation tax on its worldwide income and capital gains. However, if a UK-incorporated holding company holds only shares in subsidiary companies and all of those subsidiary companies are trading companies, the new "substantial shareholder" exemption from corporation tax may exempt a capital gain arising on a disposal of some or all of the shares in those companies.

UK Holding Companies from only £52.00! All Inclusive Company Registration. Each limited company package includes all statutory paperwork and is fully compliant with company law. All our private UK companies are general trading companies and can be used to conduct any type of business. A Certificate of Incorporation, and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of your company will be sent to you upon formation of your company. You can appoint your own directors and secretary BEFORE company incorporation. This is absolutely FREE. Our 4-8 hour online incorporation service enables you to register your company quickly and effortlessly. All government and filing fees are included in the cost of our E-Quick pack. All certificates and documents will be sent directly to you via email immediately following the formation of your company. It will take just 5 minutes to complete the online registration form, then your company could be up and running within 4-8 working hours. THE E-QUICK PACKAGE CAN BE UPGRADED WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FEATURES: 1. Company Pliers Seal - £20.00. 2. Laminated Hard-copy of the Certificate of Incorporation - £5.95. 3. Laminated Hard-copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bound Copies of the Memorandum & Articles, and Combined Company Register - £12.95. 4. Domain Name Registration for two years - £16.00. 3. Provision of a Registered Office Address for 12 months - £50.00. 4. Provision of a Nominee Company Secretary for 12 months - £49.95. 7. Certificate of Good Standing - £35.00. 8. Notarisation & Apostille of Documents. Call any one of our offices: Monday - Friday: 9:30am to 17:30pm +44 (0) 207.935.5171 +44 (0) 800.081.1510 +44 (0) 141.530.8188 +44 (0) 289.099.8744 info@ukincorp.co.uk Click on the button below to incorporate online:

A UK-incorporated holding company will own a "substantial shareholding" in another company, i.e. the investee company, if it owns shares by virtue of which: it owns not less than 10% of the investee company's ordinary share capital; it is beneficially entitled to not less than 10% of the profits of the investee company available for distribution to equity holders of the investee company; and it would be beneficially entitled on a winding up of the investee company to not less than 10% of the assets of the investee company available for distribution to equity holders.

The UK-incorporated holding company must have owned the shareholding for a certain period of time before the disposal in order to qualify for the exemption. In short, in the two years prior to disposal, the UK-incorporated holding company must be able to show a continuous period of ownership of at least twelve months. Finally, the UK-incorporated holding company, in addition to having owned a substantial shareholding throughout the requisite continuous twelve-month period, must be either a sole trading company (and obviously where it is a pure holding company it will not be) or a member of a trading group, both throughout the requisite period of pre-disposal ownership and - crucially - immediately after the time of disposal.

In terms of the investee company, it must have been a trading company, a holding company of a trading group or a holding company of a trading sub-group throughout the period beginning with the start of the UK-incorporated holding company's requisite continuous twelve-month ownership period and ending with the time of disposal, and immediately after the time of disposal. It is also worth remembering that any non-UK resident subsidiary company of a UK-incorporated holding company will be a controlled foreign company and, therefore, the controlled foreign company regime will need to be considered.

The UK holding company of overseas subsidiary companies already performs creditably as an international holding company. Consider the following: the United Kingdom has the widest network of double tax treaties in the world, and is also a signatory to the EU Parent / Subsidiary Directive. Given the quality and extent of the UK's tax treaty network, it is arguably the best performer in the important discipline of extracting overseas dividends at the minimum tax cost. Whilst the United Kingdom offers no exemption from UK corporation tax on foreign income dividends, it grants double tax relief by way of a credit for foreign corporation tax underlying the dividends provided that the company holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the share capital of the company from whom the tax credit is claimed.

Where the underlying foreign corporate tax rate is 30% or more, then the credit will normally be a complete relief from UK corporation tax - and therefore as good as an exemption. It is significant that the UK has lower rates of corporation tax than most other industrial nations. The UK is remarkable in not imposing any withholding tax on dividends distributed by UK companies to UK non-resident shareholders. It therefore outperforms the other leading holding company locations in this regard.

The United Kingdom has always had substantial non-tax attractions as a location for the holding company of an international group. The Headline corporate tax rate is the lowest of the major economies and generous interest relief provisions reduce taxable profits and make the effective tax rate even lower. The UK has an extremely extensive network of double tax agreements. Unlike many of its European counterparts, the UK does not have capital duty on share subscriptions and there is no withholding tax on dividends paid by United Kingdom companies, irrespective of the residence of the shareholder.

Legislation exempting capital gains on the disposal of substantial shareholdings took effect 1 April 2002 in advance of the publication of the 2002 Finance Bill which will enact the legislation retrospectively. This participation exemption is a major development and one which makes the UK even more attractive. For many years the business community has argued for the introduction of a "participation exemption" on capital gains and dividends to bring it in line with a number of other European jurisdictions in particular the Netherlands. The new legislation meets these demands whilst setting out certain conditions and anti-abuse provisions and effectively sets the UK ahead of its competitors in respect of its holding company facility.

For capital gains exemption the investing company must have held a substantial shareholding in the company invested in for a period of twelve months within the two years prior to the disposal. It is not therefore necessary for the investing company to have a substantial shareholding at the time of the disposal to qualify. A substantial shareholding is at least 10% of the ordinary share capital of the company invested in and 10% of the rights to profits available for distribution and assets on a winding up.

The investing company must be either a sole trading company or a member of a trading group throughout the period beginning with the start of the last twelve month period in which the substantial shareholding requirements was met, and ending at the time of disposal and also immediately after the disposal.

"Trading" in this sense extends to preparing to carry out a trade or to acquiring a significant interest in the share capital of another trading company or holding company of a trading group (subject to the proviso that the interest acquired is not already a member of the acquiring company's group).

The investing company must be a "qualifying trading company" or a "qualifying holding company" throughout the period beginning with the start of the last twelve month period in which the substantial shareholding condition is met and ending at the time of the disposal and also immediately after the disposal. The definition of a "qualifying trading company" is one which does not carry on to any substantial extent non-trading activities such as holding intellectual property and ownership of land or assets as investments. A "qualifying holding company" is one which together with its 51% subsidiaries does not carry on to any substantial extent non-trading activities.

Whilst the legislation marks the UK out further as an attractive jurisdiction for holding company purposes it is important to remember that exemption applies only where the conditions set out in the legislation are met. The investing company must be a trading company immediately after the disposal. If as a consequence of a disposal, a company ceases to be a trading company or the holding company of a trading group because its non-trading activities comprise more than 20% of its activities, the gains will not be exempt.

United Kingdom owned groups have frequently used intermediate holding companies to hold shares in overseas trading companies. This has been done for a variety of reasons including getting the best mix of tax rates. With the advent of the new legislation the need for such intermediate holding companies is now questionable and the cost of establishing and maintaining such companies may no longer be justified in many situations. The withholding tax suffered on distributions via an intermediate holding company is more likely to be more than would be the case if the UK parent owned the company directly.

There may be tax planning opportunities in eliminating the overseas holding companies. In particular, if such companies have retained profits, it may be possible to bring those profits onshore tax-free. In June 2002 the UK government introduced a capital gains tax exemption for UK companies with substantial shareholdings in another company. The new rules have now been clarified and apply to UK registered companies, foreign registered companies resident in the UK for tax purposes, as well as UK branches of companies registered outside the United Kingdom.

The following requirements must be observed: the Investing company (or Holding company) must hold at least 10% of the ordinary share capital of the Subsidiary company for at least 12 continuous months (then 12 months must not begin more than 2 years prior to the disposal of the shares). The Investing company (or Holding company) must be a trading company by itself or a holding company of a trading group during the 12 months period mentioned above. The Subsidiary company must be either a trading company by itself or the Holding company of a trading group for the whole of the 12-month period. Trading activities mean activities in a trade, profession, or vocation carried on, on a commercial basis with a view of generating profits. Similar provisions apply for group companies.

THE UK AS AN INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANIES LOCATION

Legislation passed in 2000 has given us a new form of UK-incorporated entity - the limited liability partnership. The key characteristics of a limited liability partnership can be summarised as follows. An LLP is a separate legal entity under UK law. It is a body corporate. It has unlimited capacity. All the members of an LLP have limited liability - which is in contrast to the 1907 Act limited partnership, where at least one member must have unlimited liability. All of the members can - and commonly will - participate in the carrying on of the LLP's business.

The relationship between the members themselves, and that between the members and the LLP, may be governed by a written membership agreement: any such agreement will be a private document, and it is not filed at Companies House. So long as the LLP is carrying on a trade, profession or other business (which includes an investment business) with a view to profit, it will be fiscally transparent for income tax and capital gains tax purposes. However, the sting in the tail is that annual returns and annual accounts must be filed with the Registrar of Companies. In addition, an annual tax return will need to be filed with the Inland Revenue. But if the LLP does not carry on any trade in the United Kingdom, and has no other UK-source income, that tax return will be a nil return.

For an LLP to be incorporated there must be at least two persons associated for carrying on a lawful business - which, as we have already said, includes an investment business - with a view to profit. Those two persons can be individuals, companies, trustees or partnerships and they can be resident anywhere in the world. The process of incorporating an LLP is similar to that for a limited company. An LLP is incorporated by delivering an incorporation form. This contains details of the name of the LLP, its legal domicile, the names and addresses of each of its members and its registered office address. The form must be delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

An LLP must have at least two designated members. In the event that an LLP has no designated members, or only one, every member of the LLP is deemed to be a designated member. Designated members have certain duties to perform - for example, the signing of the accounts and the delivering of the accounts to the Registrar of Companies. Their responsibilities are akin to those of directors of a limited company.

In tax terms, the profits and losses of an LLP are attributed to its members in accordance with the terms of the profit and loss sharing arrangements set out in any membership agreement, subject only to statutory adjustments in respect of, for example, relief for losses. Furthermore, the profit and loss sharing ratios can be changed between the members themselves at any time, and any such change can be effected without giving rise to any adverse UK tax consequences.

That being so, if all the members of an LLP are non-resident and the LLP does not carry on a trade in the United Kingdom but it carries on a trade, profession or other business outside the United Kingdom, there will be no income tax or capital gains tax issues for the members themselves, and in respect of the partnership return, as we have already mentioned, it will be a nil return.

Finally, it should be noted that s.267A of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 states that, for the purposes of that Act, members of an LLP own the property of and carry on the business of the LLP, and any dealings between the members and the LLP are simply dealings between the members themselves. In other words, for inheritance tax purposes, an LLP is fiscally transparent. That is quite different from a general partnership and a limited partnership.

In the late 1990s Scottish partnerships suddenly became international tax planning vehicles. Scottish partnerships became attractive for three reasons: first, Scotland was not on the blacklist. Secondly, Scottish partnerships are - unlike English partnerships - separate legal entities. Thirdly, and finally, Scottish partnerships are fiscally transparent for income tax and capital gains tax purposes. There are many UK tax and financial services questions to consider when advising on the establishment of Scottish partnerships for foreign nationals.

In particular, there is the question of trading in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment, having in mind that a Scottish limited partnership needs to have, in the first instance at least, its principal place of business in Scotland. And one needs to consider the question of inheritance tax on the value of each partnership interest, because, although an LLP is fiscally transparent, general partnerships and limited partnerships are not. Finally, one needs to bear in mind that UK source income arising to a Scottish partnership will be taxed in the usual way.

ONLINE UK HOLDING COMPANY FORMATION AND SEARCH SERVICES WITH FREE NAME CHECK, ENQUIRY AND ORDER FORMS AND ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION

Coddan provides services to new and existing businesses including private company limited by shares, holding company, and subsidiary company formations services, from ready-made companies to own name incorporations in United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Our e-formation service eliminates the need to complete Forms 288a (to appoint the directors and secretary), making the process of forming a company even easier and quicker. With our new online electronic company formation system, we take you through each step of your company incorporation process as quickly and as simply as possible. Our specialist knowledge and vast experience enable us to provide a fast, efficient, and professional service, and one which a great many businesses have been founded and built upon to date.

Once you have completed our online order form and your new limited company is in the processing stage of being registered at Companies House you will receive an order acknowledgement from us by email. Documents we send you via email for the electronic E-Quick Formation Package (£52.00) are: Certificate of Incorporation - in PDF format, special Memorandum & Articles of Association, First Minutes of Directors meeting, share certificates, Registers of Members, Directors and Secretaries, Directors Interests, Company charges - in Word format.

It's a simple process to register your company. All you need to do is use the free availability check to see if your chosen company name is available. If so, then fill out a few details using the online forms, enter your payment details, and submit your application. No documents to sign. We form companies with you as the first directors, secretary and shareholders. Our online order form is a completely web based application, whereby all the company details are entered into our system and submitted electronic through The Companies House Filing Service.

How it works. Choose from our selection of company formations: E-Quick, Economy, Premier or Deluxe. Enter your contact and company directors, secretaries and shareholders details using our online order form facility. You are sent immediate confirmation via email of your transaction from WorldPay and ourselves. You will receive your company documents in a short time, typically six hours (*If ordered before 11:00 and Companies House permitting). It's that simple!

E-QUICK Formation Package For Just £52.00
The E-Quick formation package is our most popular package with UK residents. It is ideal for small to medium businesses that have their own address in the UK, and that have a partner appointed as company secretary. It offers:

Electronic submission and incorporation of your company at Companies House
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association

All of the documents offered by this package are sent directly to you by email.

This option allows you to immediately appoint your own directors, shareholders, company secretary and registered office details. Upon registration these appointees will be recorded as the original company officers. A myriad of equity or debt financing options are available to companies that are registered in a person's name where that person is responsible for the operations of the company.

Different types of company require different combinations of officers; a private limited company must have at least one director and a company secretary (a sole-director cannot also act as the secretary); while a public limited company must have a least two directors and a company secretary. If you do not have the requisite officers, you can use our nominee services.

The E-Quick package can be upgraded with the addition of many complementary services, including: domain name registration, call free 0800/0207 telephone numbers, voicemail, call forwarding, additional sets of corporate documents, seals, nominee services, VAT registration, book keeping and accounting services, notarisation & Apostille services.
Order the E-Quick Formation Package: E-Quick Formation Package - £52.00  (incorporation, government taxes and government fees are included).

For More Information: email info@ukincorp.co.uk or call: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.

Applying online to Coddan is easy, quicki, chep and reliable and makes the entire application process smoother for you and us. Follow the 1-step approach to searching and registering your company with Companies House at the same-day, without the need for extensive paperwork; all of it is covered by Coddan (click on the Online Order Forms icon). Our e-formation service eliminates the need to complete Forms 288a (to appoint the directors and secretary), Form 288b, Form 288c, or Form 287, making the process of companies incorporation even easier and quicker.

ECONOMY UK Holding Company Registration Package For Just £102.00
The ECONOMY UK Holding Company formation package is our most popular package with EU residents. It is ideal for smaller companies, such as those being run by a sole director from home who has a partner to act as company secretary, where a registered UK address is required for correspondence between your company and UK authorities (i.e. Companies House and the Inland Revenue). It offers:

Electronic submission and incorporation of your company at Companies House
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Registered UK office address
Forwarding of Official Mail

All of the documents offered by this package are sent directly to you by email.

All UK companies are legally required to have a registered UK address. This registered address is the official address of your company and should be used on company stationery. We can provide you with a prestigious address in England, Scotland, or Wales, depending on which country you would like to form your company in. Your registered UK office address is only used to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 in relation to official mail and documents; it should not be used as a general trading address; our trade mail service is available for this purpose.

This option allows you to immediately appoint your own directors, shareholders, and company secretary. Upon registration these appointees will be recorded as the original company officers. A myriad of equity or debt financing options are available to companies that are registered in a person's name where that person is responsible for the operations of the company.

Different types of company require different combinations of officers; a private limited company must have at least one director and a company secretary (a sole-director cannot also act as the secretary); while a public limited company must have a least two directors and a company secretary. If you do not have the requisite officers you can use our nominee services.

The ECONOMY UK LTD package can be upgraded with the addition of many complementary services, including: domain name registration, trade mail services, call free 0800/0207 telephone numbers, voicemail, call forwarding, additional sets of corporate documents, seals, nominee services, VAT registration, book keeping and accounting services, notarisation & Apostille services.
Order the Economy Holding Company Incorporation Package: Economy Incorporation Package - £102.00  (incorporation, government taxes and government fees are included).

For More Information: email info@ukincorp.co.uk or call: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.

PREMIER Holding Company Incorporation Package For Just £151.95
The PREMIER Holding Company incorporation package is our most popular package with small to medium companies. It is ideal for businesses that require a registered office address in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow, and that do not want, or cannot find someone, to appoint as a second person in their company. It offers:

Electronic submission and incorporation of your company at Companies House
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Registered UK office address
Forwarding of Official Mail
Nominee Secretary Service

Upon the formation of your company, the following documents will be sent to you: a laminated copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of your company, a hard bound copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of your company, a hard bound copy of the Minutes of the First Meeting of the Directors, a company register, and two printed share certificates.

All UK companies are legally required to have a registered UK address. This registered address is the official address of your company and should be used on company stationery. We can provide you with a prestigious address in England, Scotland, or Wales, depending on which country you would like to form your company in. Your registered UK office address is only used to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 in relation to official mail and documents; it should not be used as a general trading address; our trade mail service is available for this purpose.

Different types of company require different combinations of officers; a private limited company must have at least one director and a company secretary (a sole-director cannot also act as the secretary); while a public limited company must have a least two directors and a company secretary. We will act as a nominee secretary for your business, and thereby enable you to satisfy the legal requirements.

The PREMIER package can be upgraded with the addition of many complementary services, including: domain name registration, trade mail services, call free 0800/0207 telephone numbers, voicemail, call forwarding, additional sets of corporate documents, seals, nominee services, VAT registration, book keeping and accounting services, notarisation &Apostille services.
Order the Premier Holding Company Registration Package:  Premier Registration Package - £151.95 (incorporation, government taxes and government fees are included).

For More Information: email info@ukincorp.co.uk or call: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.

DELUXE Business Start-Up Package For Just £276.95
The DELUXE business start-up package is our most popular package with international customers. It is designed to allow our clients to retain anonymity for legitimate reasons. It offers:

Electronic submission and incorporation of your company at Companies House
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Registered UK office address
Forwarding of Official Mail
Nominee Secretary Service
Nominee Director Service
Power of Attorney

Upon the formation of your company, the following documents will be sent to you: two laminated copies of the Certificate of Incorporation of your company, two hard bound copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of your company, two hard bound copies of the Minutes of the First Meeting of the Directors, a company register, and two printed share certificates

All UK companies are legally required to have a registered UK address. This registered address is the official address of your company and should be used on company stationery. We can provide you with a prestigious address in England, Scotland, or Wales, depending on which country you would like to form your company in. Your registered UK office address is only used to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 in relation to official mail and documents; it should not be used as a general trading address; our trade mail service is available for this purpose.

Different types of company require different combinations of officers; a private limited company must have at least one director and a company secretary (a sole-director cannot also act as the secretary); while a public limited company must have a least two directors and a company secretary. The name of each director and secretary of every UK company is recorded in both the company's statutory register and at Companies House. This information is therefore publicly available. For valid commercial reasons, it is sometimes necessary for the owner of a company to remain anonymous and appoint a nominee to hold their interests for them.

By using the DELUXE business start-up package, we will become the registered Secretary and Director of your company, and no public record of you will exist. We will act as both a nominee secretary, and a nominee director for your business, and thereby enable you to satisfy the legal requirements while maintaining anonymity. You will, however, retain full control and ownership of the company by virtue of a special agreement.

The DELUXE business start-up package can be upgraded with the addition of many complementary services, including: nominee shareholder services, domain name registration, trade mail services, call free 0800/0207 telephone numbers, voicemail, call forwarding, additional sets of corporate documents, seals, VAT registration, book keeping and accounting services, notarisation & Apostille services.
Order the Deluxe Business Start-Up Package:   Deluxe LTD Start-Up Package - £276.95 (incorporation, government taxes and government fees are included) 

The Renewal of Annual Services: 
If you order a registered office address, or any of our nominee services, please be aware that these services are provided and charged annually. Coddan will send you a renewal notice a month before these services are due to expire, asking you if you would like these services to be renewed.

If you do wish to continue receiving these services you will be invoiced, and this invoice must be paid in full before the anniversary of your company formation. If you do not wish to continue receiving these services you must notify us immediately and lodge the official changes of your company details with Companies House before the anniversary of the formation of your company.

If you do not respond to our renewal notice, or pay the renewal invoice before the anniversary of the formation of your company, we will withdraw these services and inform Companies House that we have done so.

Because these services are very often subscribed to in order to comply with statutory requirements, their non-renewal may cause some very serious consequences for your company: companies which do not meet the statutory requirements may be fined, dissolved, or even placed into administrative liquidation and have their bank accounts frozen and their property and assets confiscated.

So long as a company is registered, the beneficial directors of that company will be liable for all fines and penalties imposed for the non-compliance of the statutory requirements, e.g. not having the minimum number of officers, not filing annual returns and reports, not having a valid registered office address. A company will not be permitted to be dissolved if there are any unpaid fines or penalties.

Companies House will direct solicitors to bring a suit against the beneficial directors of any company that does not pay the penalties or fines imposed by Companies House. If the suit goes to court, company property and assets may be confiscated as part of a judgement against the company. The Secretary of State has to decide whether it is in the public interest to seek a disqualification order against a director. Examples of the most commonly reported conduct are:

Continuing the company's trading when the company was insolvent;
Failing to keep proper accounting records;
Failing to prepare and file accounts or make returns to Companies House and
Failing to send in returns or pay to the Crown any tax that is due.

In the event that you no longer wish to maintain your company to a level which complies with the statutory requirements, you must formally file for the dissolution of your company at Companies House.

If your company has been dissolved, and there are assets or monies in the company's name, you will need to take prompt action to have the company restored to the Register. On dissolution of the company any assets remaining in its name passed to the Crown.

Therefore the company's members and directors must not attempt to use any of its assets e.g. a company bank account. Formation of a new UK limited company with the same name as the struck off or dissolved company is not an alternative to restoration of a company to the Register. It will be a different company - a new company formation is exactly that - a new company registration - and the assets of the previously dissolved company will remain beyond your reach unless the proper procedures are followed for restoration to the Register at Companies House.

In addition to penalties and fines imposed by Companies House for late or unfiled annual reports, HM Revenue and Customs service levies fines and penalties if a company's annual returns are not submitted on time. Returns must be filed and all penalties paid regardless of the status of your company. If you close your company, you will still be liable to pay any outstanding tax, fees, and penalties to HM Revenue and Customs office.
For More Information: email info@ukincorp.co.uk or call: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.

Bank Introduction Services: 
Coddan offers bank introductions to all of the major UK banks, including : HSBC, NatWest, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Ireland, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, Lloyd's and Barclays. We can also provide introductions to local branches of foreign banks, such as BBVA, Bank of Cyprus, Bank of China and Islamic Bank of Britain.

The cost of our bank introduction service depends on the types of services that your company requires from the bank, and upon the particular bank that you wish to use.

Coddan has worked hard to build excellent professional relationships with banks in order to provide a full range of bank introduction services to our clients. We are committed to maintaining these relationships, and it is for this reason that we must be satisfied that your company plans to act in an exemplary manner with respect to book keeping, and the filing of annual returns and reports, before we will agree to provide these services.

Generally, UK companies operate business accounts with UK banks, the opening of which requires the directors to visit the bank in person. It is, however, possible to open some types of bank accounts by distance, without the need of personally visiting the bank. Because this is not common practice, we are understandably reticent to provide distance banking introductions unless we are completely satisfied that your company plans to meet all of its tax and reporting responsibilities, and to adhere to all relevant UK regulations. In addition, you will need to supply us with a convincing argument for your inability to travel to London to open a bank account in person.

Companies who plan to remain dormant will not be offered any bank introduction services by Coddan, as there are no valid reasons for a dormant company to operate a bank account.
For More Information: email info@ukincorp.co.uk or call: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207.935.5171, fax: +44 207.504.3531.
You May Use This Link to Apply for a Banking Account Online:  Bank Account Application Form 

From time to time even the best-run business needs some advice or a second opinion. Healthy businesses plan for the future and having an independent review of your strategy can really help - our consultants act as advisers to many industry sectors and can offer you the benefit of having seen what works and what does not. Using the best accounting, budgeting, planning, and reporting tools, we can ensure that you have all the information you need to face future challenges.

For overseas companies setting up in the United Kingdom, our experience of business practices, taxation, and law within the United Kingdom can save them the considerable time, money, and energy required to establish and grow a business while meeting all of their legal obligations. We can also act as trustees for pension schemes, or alternatively, we can audit your pension scheme accounts, guiding you through the minefield of reporting requirements.

We are always looking for opportunities for your business to reduce its tax liability, with proactive tax planning. We also advise clients on international corporate tax and on issues arising from cross-border transactions, into and out of the United Kingdom.

If you are unsure of the best course of action for your business, Coddan can advise you on the best location and type of business entity, and can tailor a solution to your needs. If you wish to retain Coddan in a professional capacity, you can apply for an initial consultation appointment by following the link below.
Book an Initial Consultation:   use this form to request an initial consultation with one of our specialists