I've registered my limited company — what do I do next?

Last updated · General guidance, not legal or tax advice

After registering a limited company, the first priorities are to open a business bank account, set up bookkeeping, register for Corporation Tax once the company starts doing business, and decide whether you need PAYE or VAT. You also need to make sure official post from Companies House and HMRC reaches you, show the right company details on invoices and your website, and note your key filing dates.

Use the checklist below as a starting point. Not every item applies to every business.

First 30 days

  • Check your certificate of incorporation and the details on the public register for mistakes.
  • Open a business bank account in the company's name — see business bank accounts.
  • Set up bookkeeping software and connect the bank feed — see what records to keep.
  • Watch for HMRC's letter with the company's Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), sent to the registered office.
  • Decide how you will pay yourself — salary, dividends or both — see how a director can pay themselves.
  • Register as an employer before the first payday if anyone, including a director, will be paid through payroll — see does a director need payroll?.
  • Set up your statutory registers and record your first decisions.

Within 90 days

  • Register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to do business — see when to register.
  • Check whether you need to register for VAT, or whether voluntary registration makes sense — see when to register for VAT.
  • Update invoices, website and email signatures with the full company name, company number, place of registration and registered office address, as GOV.UK requires.
  • Check insurance and licences — for example employer's liability insurance if you employ staff, professional indemnity for some services, and any sector licences.
  • Put key dates in your calendar — first accounts, confirmation statement, Corporation Tax and Self Assessment. See annual filing deadlines.

Make sure official post reaches you

Companies House and HMRC write to the registered office, often with codes and deadlines. If you used your home address and want privacy, or simply want post handled reliably, you can move to a registered office address service. Ours costs £10 a month or £100 a year with no VAT, includes a director service address for all directors, and scans official post with no scanning or admin fee.

It covers official post only, not trading mail or parcels — see what mail a registered office can receive.

Decide who will handle the numbers

You can do your own books and filings or bring in help. Many new directors appoint an accountant early so Corporation Tax, payroll and VAT are set up correctly from the start. In Front Accounting offers ongoing support for new limited companies. See does a company need an accountant?.

Keep information up to date

Tell Companies House promptly about changes such as new directors, a new registered office or changes to shareholders and PSCs. Directors and PSCs should also make sure their identity verification is complete under the current Companies House rules.

In short

After registering a limited company, start by checking the incorporation details, opening a business bank account in the company's name and setting up bookkeeping. Watch for HMRC's letter with the company's UTR, which is sent to the registered office. Register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to do business, register as an employer before paying anyone a salary through payroll, and check whether you need to, or should choose to, register for VAT. Show the company name, number, place of registration and registered office on invoices and your website. Check insurance and licences, make sure official post reaches you, and diary your Companies House and HMRC deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

When are my first accounts due?

First accounts usually have a different deadline from later years — commonly 21 months after incorporation for a private company. Check your exact date on the Companies House register.

Can I change my registered office after incorporation?

Yes. You can move to a new registered office at any time by notifying Companies House.

Sources and official guidance

This guide is general information about UK rules as at 3 October 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice.