Concerns & risks

The real risks are not in the formation itself — but in neglecting the obligations afterwards. The most important: not filing the Confirmation Statement (CS01) annually, or delaying the annual accounts and HMRC returns, which leads to penalties starting from £150 and up to the company being struck off.

Another risk: mixing company money with your personal money without clear bookkeeping. Third: not understanding your tax obligations in your country of residence when withdrawing profits — you may be surprised by a local tax.

Fourth: relying on an unauthorised agent or a fake address may expose your application to rejection. Finally: unrealistic expectations such as 'a UK company solves all Stripe problems' while you need a valid bank account first.

With a trusted ACSP agent and a clear list of obligations, these risks are entirely manageable. Eteform reminds you of every deadline and explains your obligations in Arabic from day one.

Yes, partially — the Companies House register is public by design. The director's name, month and year of birth, and nationality appear to everyone. The residential address used to appear previously, but the new laws allow it to be hidden if you use a Director Service Address.

The company's registered office always appears — which is why we recommend a registered London office via Eteform instead of your personal address in your country. Your personal email and phone number are not usually published on the public register if you do not enter them.

If privacy is a top priority, our Privacy package includes a service address for the director and a registered office for the company. Remember: transparency is part of the British company's credibility with banks and clients — complete concealment is not legally possible for active directors.

Companies House imposes automatic penalties: late annual accounts start from £150 and rise quickly if the delay drags on. A late Confirmation Statement (CS01) later leads to the company's suspension (strike-off) and its removal from the register — meaning your company legally ceases.

HMRC has separate penalties on late Corporation Tax returns with daily interest. If your company is struck off due to neglect, restoring it is possible but costly and embarrassing before banks. In extreme cases, directors may be banned from managing other companies for a period.

The good news: a dormant company has simpler and cheaper requirements — if it is genuinely not trading, declare that and file simplified accounts. Eteform sends reminders before each deadline and can file the CS01 on your behalf — do not wait for the penalty to act.

No, no stranger can easily close your company. Closing the company (dissolution/strike-off) usually requires the directors' approval or a shareholders' resolution, or an official application from within the company.

Companies House may strike the company off automatically only if you neglect the annual obligations for a long period — and this is an administrative measure due to non-compliance, not 'hacking'.

Beware of 'Phoenix' fraud or anyone claiming they need your details to protect your company — do not share bank or HMRC passwords with anyone. To protect your company: renew the CS01 on time, keep the Companies House mail updated, and use a trusted agent who informs you of any official correspondence.

If you want to close the company voluntarily, the process is clear via form DS01 after settling taxes and debts. Eteform guides you to a clean closure if you no longer need the company.