Skip to content
ByteStart ByteStart

Start a business as a Sole Trader or Limited Company

qdos small business insurance
  • Go Self Employed
  • Tax & HMRC
  • Accounts & Bookkeeping
  • Tools & Resources
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Pensions
qdos small business insurance

Limited Company

Setting up a limited company marks an exciting (often daunting) milestone for any new business. The section provides step-by-step guides to walk you through the entire company formation process.

Learn the pros and cons of a limited company structure, including limited liability and tax efficiency. Understand director and secretary roles and responsibilities. Get tips on choosing a unique (and legal) name for your company.

Learn about articles of association, share allotments, director appointments, share certificates and statutory registers.

Key guides

  • How to set up a limited company
  • How much does it cost to set up a company?
  • 15 limited company advantages
  • 100s more guides on Limited Company Help
salary dividend split director

The best salary and dividend split for directors in 2025/26

April 2, 2025
Most company directors are paid an annual salary, and draw down profits as dividends. What is the optimal salary/dividend split in 2025/26?
Read More
limited company tax calculator

Limited Company Tax Calculator – 2025/26

April 2, 2025
If you're a company owner, this useful calculator will work out your net profits, after allowing for expenses and tax.
Read More
dividend tax

Limited company dividend tax guide – 2025/26 tax year

April 1, 2025
Here's how company dividends are taxed, and how you calculate the amount of tax you need to pay on your dividends.
Read More
expenses limited company

What business expenses can your limited company claim for?

March 10, 2025
Which expenses you can claim via your limited company, and what to consider when deciding whether it's you or your business that should pay for something.
Read More
tax efficient limited company

Tax-efficient ways to pay yourself through a limited company

March 1, 2025
We asked a leading accountant to outline the tax-effective ways you can pay yourself via your own limited company. Updated for the 2025/26 tax year.
Read More
shareholder

What do I need to consider if I bring in another shareholder?

February 12, 2025
Many businesses start out as owner-managed operations, with one person owning all of the shares and being the managing director. However, as businesses grow, they often want to bring in…
Read More
choose business structure

Which is best? – sole trader, limited company, partnership or LLP?

January 10, 2025
We examine the different trading structures used by small businesses—sole trader, limited company, partnership, and LLP.
Read More
tax on businesses

Understanding limited company taxes: what you need to know

December 11, 2024
If you’re setting up or running a limited company, it’s important to understand your tax responsibilities as a company director.
Read More
christmas party 150 exemption

£150 per head Christmas party expense exemption for limited companies

December 6, 2024
If you’re thinking of holding a party for your company this year – you may be able to enjoy Corporation Tax relief on your expenditure.
Read More
corporation tax mistake

How to avoid Corporation Tax mistakes if you’re a limited company director

December 6, 2024
Making a mistake or filing your company tax return late can cost you both time and money to fix, especially if HMRC imposes a penalty.
Read More

Posts pagination

Previous page 1 2 3 4 5 Next page
Latest Self Employment updates
  • HMRC’s new ‘tax gap’ report – what it means if you’re self employed
  • 10 steps to take if you become self-employed in 2025
  • Why it is important to have a Partnership Agreement in place
  • What are the pros and cons of doing business as a sole trader? 
  • What is employers liability insurance? Is it a legal requirement?
Free Tide Business Bank Account + £50 Cashback!

tide business bank account

Find out more about this offer here!
Protect your business with Qdos
professional indemnity insurance small business qdos
Take control of your pension with a Which? Recommended £5.99/month SIPP
SIPP self employed
  • About Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Limited Company Guides
  • News & Features
ByteStart – Trusted by the self-employed since 2004
All Content © Contract Eye Limited 2004-25 - All rights reserved.
Registered Address: 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ
Scroll to Top