Legal reqs for dormant company

To keep the company live on Companies House just make sure you submit the annual return and the annual accounts to them on time.

Advice on dormant company accounts

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gp2.shtml#ch8

I don't know if it is essential but it never hurts to have apaper trail.

Hi silverfirefly

I have outlined some dormant company responsibilities for you below:


·Upon formation HMRC will write to your company, you should then inform them that your company is dormant. Should you receive a corporation tax return reminder from HMRC the following year, write to them again informing them that your company is dormant or requesting to file a dormant tax return.
·You have a statutory obligation to file the annual return at Companies House on the anniversary of your company formation.
·You must submit dormant company accounts annually at Companies House i.e. a balance sheet and relevant notes. If you have never traded, you must still file Dormant Company Accounts.
·You must notify Companies House if you decide to appoint a Company Secretary or Director and also if any of their details change.
·As with any other private limited company formation, a dormant limited company must have a registered address.

Failing to complete these documents on time is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution of the company's officers. Additionally, there is an automatic civil penalty for filing accounts late. Companies House often presume that a dormant company which has not filed its accounts or annual return is no longer needed and therefore proceed to strike it from the register. After the company is dissolved any assets it held then belong to the state and it ceases to exist.


All ltd companies are naturally dormant from the date that they are incorporated. Companies only cease to be dormant when they begin trading, i.e. buying and selling goods or services. When you start trading and are no longer a dormant company, there is no need to inform Companies House of this, however you should inform HMRC

Best of luck!