How Do I Close a Company at Companies House

If your business has stopped trading or is no longer needed, you may decide it is time to close your limited company. In the UK, closing a company is known as “striking off” and is a formal process handled by Companies House. It is important to follow the correct steps to ensure your company is closed properly and that you meet all your legal obligations.

Closing a limited company requires more than just submitting a form. You need to ensure that all accounts are settled, taxes are paid, and any final distributions to shareholders are handled correctly before applying for strike-off. Our limited company accountants provide end-to-end support with this process, helping directors prepare final accounts, notify HMRC, complete form DS01, and ensure statutory compliance from start to finish. Whether you are closing down a dormant company, retiring, or restructuring, we make sure nothing is overlooked and that your closure is handled properly and professionally.

In this article, we explain how to close a company at Companies House, when you can apply for strike-off, and what to do before submitting your request.

Step 1: Make Sure Your Company Is Eligible for Strike-Off

You can apply to close your company using the voluntary strike-off process if your company:

• Has not traded or sold any assets in the last three months

• Has not changed its name in the last three months

• Is not facing insolvency proceedings such as liquidation or administration

• Has no ongoing legal disputes or obligations

If your company does not meet these criteria, you will need to consider a formal liquidation instead.

Step 2: Settle Any Outstanding Debts and Accounts

Before applying to strike off your company, you must:

• Pay all outstanding bills and taxes

• Close your business bank accounts

• Distribute any remaining assets to shareholders

• Inform HMRC that the company is no longer trading

• File any outstanding tax returns, VAT returns or PAYE submissions

You should also cancel any business registrations such as VAT or employer PAYE schemes. Once your company is closed, you will not be able to make any further transactions or access your bank accounts.

Step 3: File Form DS01 with Companies House

To formally apply for strike-off, you need to file form DS01 with Companies House.

You can do this:

• Online through the Companies House WebFiling service

• By post using the paper form

The DS01 form must be signed by a majority of the company’s directors and submitted along with a £10 fee. Companies House will publish a notice in the Gazette stating the company’s intention to be struck off.

If no objections are raised within two months, the company will be removed from the register and legally dissolved.

Step 4: Notify All Relevant Parties

You are legally required to inform all interested parties that you have applied to strike off the company. This includes:

• Shareholders

• Creditors

• Employees

• HMRC

• Pension providers or banks, if applicable

Failing to notify relevant parties could lead to objections or legal action against the directors.

What Happens After Your Company Is Closed?

Once your company is removed from the register, it no longer exists as a legal entity. You cannot continue trading or receive any further income under that company name. Any remaining assets that were not distributed before closure become the property of the Crown.

It is important to keep your final accounts and tax records for at least six years in case HMRC or other authorities request them in the future.

Final Thoughts

Closing a company at Companies House is a formal but straightforward process if your business meets the criteria. Filing form DS01, settling all obligations and communicating clearly with stakeholders will help ensure a smooth and compliant closure. If your company has outstanding debts or is no longer able to pay its liabilities, voluntary strike-off may not be appropriate and you should seek advice on formal liquidation instead.

Getting professional support can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure your company is closed in the correct way. For smaller companies and sole directors, navigating the strike-off process can be confusing—especially if the business has not traded recently or if filings have fallen behind. Our small company accountant service is built for micro-businesses that want to close their company efficiently without running into complications. We will guide you through the checklist, liaise with HMRC where needed, and make sure Companies House is updated with all the right forms and filings. If your goal is to wrap things up cleanly and move forward, we are here to help make that happen smoothly.

Unsure what to file, when to file it or how to stay compliant? Our Companies House Help hub walks you through it all.

You may wish to make your company dormant instead of closing it down, read more on what is a dormant company on Companies House for further guidance.

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