How to Strike Off a Company from the Companies House Registry: A Complete Guide

Striking off a company from the Companies House registry is a formal process that legally dissolves a business that is no longer trading. While company dissolution is often the easiest way to close a business in the UK, it requires careful financial reconciliation, tax compliance, and legal awareness to avoid complications.

This guide covers everything from eligibility, step-by-step closure procedures, risks, costs, choosing an accountant, and essential skills for a smooth strike-off.

What Is Company Strike-Off?

Company strike-off, also known as dissolution, removes a company from official records, meaning it ceases to exist legally. Any remaining assets are transferred to the Crown under bona vacantia rules.

Eligibility Criteria for Strike-Off

A company may apply for strike-off if:

✅ It has not traded or sold any stock in the last three months.

✅ It has not changed its name in the last three months.

✅ It has no ongoing insolvency proceedings or legal disputes.

✅ It has settled all outstanding debts, including tax obligations and payroll liabilities.

If creditors or HMRC hold unresolved claims against the business, dissolution may not be approved, requiring formal liquidation instead.

Step-by-Step Process to Strike Off a Company

1. Financial Reconciliation & Preparation

Before initiating a strike-off, business owners must ensure:

✔ Outstanding debts are settled.

✔ Final employee payroll obligations are fulfilled.

✔ VAT returns and corporation tax submissions are completed.

✔ Company assets, including funds in bank accounts, are properly distributed.

2. Filing a DS01 Form

• Submit a DS01 Strike-Off Application via Companies House.

• The fee is £33 online or £44 for a paper submission.

• All directors must sign before submission.

  
  

3. Notify Stakeholders & Publish a Notice

The company must inform:

🔹 Shareholders and employees.

🔹 Creditors and HMRC.

🔹 Other relevant parties with monetary interests.

A strike-off notice must be published in The Gazette, allowing two months for objections.

4. Final Approval & Dissolution Notice

If no objections arise within the designated period, Companies House approves the strike-off, formally dissolving the company.

Key Risks & Legal Considerations

⚠ Frozen Bank Accounts – Upon dissolution, company bank accounts are frozen, and remaining funds may be transferred to the Crown.

⚠ Creditor Objections – Any party owed money can block the strike-off, potentially forcing liquidation proceedings.

⚠ Director Liability – Directors may still face legal action after dissolution if tax obligations or debts were not properly settled.

⚠ Restoration Costs – If the company must be reinstated due to unresolved obligations, legal fees can exceed £5,000.

Cost Breakdown for Striking Off a Company

Expense	Estimated Cost
DS01 Application (Online)	£33
DS01 Application (Paper)	£44
Accountant Fees	£500–£2,000 (depending on complexity)
Legal Fees (if objections arise)	£1,000+
Restoration Costs (if required)	£500–£5,000

💡 Pro Tip: Hiring a professional accountant can streamline financial reconciliation, reducing risks and avoiding costly errors in the strike-off process.

Choosing the Right Accountant for Company Closure

Selecting an experienced accountant ensures compliance and prevents financial discrepancies. Consider professionals with:

✔ Expertise in VAT compliance, payroll finalization, and intercompany transactions.

✔ Experience handling company dissolution, tax filings, and asset distribution.

✔ Knowledge of legal risks associated with strike-offs, including director liability and HMRC audits.

For businesses with complex tax structures or unresolved transactions, a tax specialist is highly recommended.

Essential Skills Required for a Smooth Closure

📝  Financial Reconciliation – Ensure all accounts are balanced before dissolution.

💰  Tax Compliance – File final VAT returns and corporation tax submissions.

📜Legal Awareness – Understand director responsibilities and creditor objections.📢 Stakeholder Communication – Notify employees, shareholders, and relevant authorities effectively.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Striking off a company is a structured legal process that requires compliance and careful preparation. Ensuring debts are settled, tax filings are completed, and the correct DS01 documentation is submitted will help avoid unnecessary delays or complications.

Need professional guidance? Consult an AAT Licensed Accountant or download our free strike-off checklist to ensure your company closure is managed correctly.

Company Strike-Off Checklist (UK) – Compliance Edition

✅ Confirm Eligibility

Before applying for a strike-off, ensure the company meets Companies House requirements:

• The company has not traded or sold stock in the last three months.

• The company has not changed its registered name within the last three months.

• The company is not facing insolvency proceedings or legal disputes.

• The company has settled all outstanding debts and tax liabilities.

✅ Financial & Tax Compliance

It’s essential to finalize all financial obligations before submitting a DS01 application:

• Settle outstanding debts with creditors, suppliers, and HMRC.

• File final VAT returns (if applicable) and deregister from VAT via HMRC VAT 7 Form.

• Submit the final corporation tax return, ensuring no underpayments remain.

• Cancel employer PAYE and payroll schemes by notifying HMRC.

• Close business accounts and distribute assets to shareholders before dissolution (remaining funds may default to the Crown).

  
  

🔹 Reference: HMRC Guide on Closing a Business

✅ Employee & Payroll Obligations

If employees are involved, ensure payroll duties are completed before strike-off:

• Notify employees about company dissolution and termination of contracts.

• Submit a final FPS (Full Payment Submission) report under RTI to HMRC.

• Process redundancy payments and settle employee tax obligations.

• Deregister the company from the pension scheme, if applicable.

🔹 Reference: HMRC Payroll Guidance

✅ Legal & Administrative Steps

Before submitting the DS01 strike-off form, fulfil all legal and reporting requirements:

• Complete and submit the DS01 form to Companies House (£33 online / £44 paper submission).

• Notify shareholders, employees, and creditors in writing about the dissolution.

• Publish a strike-off notice in The Gazette, allowing two months for objections.

• Deregister business licenses or regulatory permits related to company operations.

• Retain company records for at least seven years post-dissolution for compliance.

🔹 Reference: Companies House Strike-Off Guide

✅ Final Confirmation & Compliance Check

Once the strike-off process is complete:

• Confirm strike-off approval from Companies House (The Gazette will publish the final notice).

• Ensure no outstanding creditor objections exist before the dissolution is finalized.

• Verify HMRC account closure and ensure no remaining tax obligations.

• Keep financial records, tax filings, and transaction details for future reference.

Download the Full Strike-Off Checklist

For a detailed, printable version of this checklist with additional HMRC compliance links, download the PDF here: Strike-Off Checklist

Disclaimer

"This checklist is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Accountant Bookkeeping Ltd accepts no liability for errors or omissions in its application. Clients are encouraged to seek professional guidance from a qualified accountant before proceeding with company dissolution."

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📩 Contact us today to discuss your company strike-off needs!

📞 Phone: 07734216580

📧 Email: info@accountantbookkeeping.co.uk

🌐 Website: https://www.accountantbookkeeping.co.uk/