Nearly 900,000 companies were incorporated in 2024 – an 11.2 per cent increase compared to 2023. More entrepreneurs are recognising the benefits of limited companies.
The advantages of limited companies include limited personal liability, mitigated taxation and greater exposure to investment opportunities.
To help you start your journey towards limited company status, here are our top tips:
Research
Taking the first steps towards incorporation should not be taken lightly. Whilst it limits liability if things go wrong, it does come with some strict compliance requirements in regard to regular reporting to Companies House, which you need to prepare for.
Paying yourself
As a director, you can pay yourself via salary, dividends, or both to maximise your take-home pay.
The most efficient approach is often to pay yourself a lower salary, so you are not liable for Income Tax or National Insurance Contributions (NICs), but still contribute enough towards your state pension, and take the rest as dividends, which is subject to a lower tax rate.
Be aware that it may not always be possible to pay a dividend if your profits aren’t sufficient.
Structuring your company
When considering the distribution and management of share rights in a limited company, several key aspects must be carefully planned and managed. You will need to define how dividends are paid, voting rights and share structure.
At this stage, you may also need to discuss a future exit, including transfer, drag-along and tag-along rights.
As part of this process, you will need to address how the shares and shareholder rights align with the company’s Articles of Association.
Open a business bank account
Open a separate bank account for your business as soon as possible. Some founders make the mistake of thinking they can mix personal and business finances at the beginning, but it makes applying for reliefs and paying taxes more complicated as you have to declare what each transaction is for and when it was made.
Treat your business like a separate entity (because it is)
If you plan to inject personal funds into your company or take money out, do it properly through a Director’s Loan Account.
Make sure to detail each transaction going in and out of the business and never take out excessive amounts of money, as this can attract attention from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and lead to fines.
If you are considering incorporation, you should seek professional advice and ongoing support to reduce the potential for errors and non-compliance with Companies House regulations.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for expert advice on incorporating your business.
