In short: £180 covers closing a solvent private limited company by voluntary strike-off, including the Companies House fee. We check the company meets the conditions, prepare form DS01 for the directors, file it, and give you the list of people you must notify and template letters to send them. After Companies House accepts the application, a notice appears in The Gazette and the company is usually dissolved around 2–3 months later if nobody objects.
What's included
- Companies House strike-off fee
- Eligibility check against the strike-off conditions
- Review of outstanding filings (accounts, confirmation statement)
- Preparation of form DS01 for the directors to approve
- Online filing with Companies House
- List of interested parties who must receive a copy
- Template notification letters
- Closure checklist: bank account, assets, HMRC, payroll and VAT
- Updates when the Gazette notices are published
Who this service is for
Voluntary strike-off (also called dissolution) suits a company that is solvent and no longer needed — for example, a company that was set up but never traded, or a business that has finished and paid all its debts. It is far cheaper than a liquidation.
Conditions you must meet
A company cannot apply for voluntary strike-off if, in the last 3 months, it has:
- traded or carried on business
- changed its name
- sold property or rights it would normally have sold in the course of trading
It also cannot apply if it is in, or threatened with, liquidation or other insolvency proceedings, or has an arrangement with its creditors such as a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
If the company has debts it cannot pay, strike-off is not the right route — speak to a licensed insolvency practitioner.
Before you apply
- Pay all debts, including to HMRC, suppliers and staff.
- Close the company bank account and move any domain names or other assets out of the company. Anything left in the company when it is dissolved — including money in the bank or a later HMRC refund — passes to the Crown.
- Tell HMRC: send final accounts and a Company Tax Return, and close any PAYE and VAT registrations.
- Bring Companies House filings up to date if they are due.
How money is paid out to shareholders matters for tax. Distributions made before a strike-off can be taxed as capital only up to a total of £25,000; above that, they are normally treated as dividends. Ask an accountant before taking money out.
How it works
- We check the company qualifies and review what is still outstanding.
- We prepare form DS01. A majority of the directors must approve it.
- We file it with Companies House and pay the fee.
- Within 7 days of filing, the directors must send a copy to every interested party. We give you the list and template letters.
- Companies House publishes a first notice in The Gazette. People then have about 2 months to object.
- If there are no objections, the company is struck off and a second Gazette notice confirms it is dissolved.
Who you must notify
The copy of the DS01 must go to shareholders, creditors (including HMRC), employees, any pension trustees, and any directors who did not sign the application. Failing to notify interested parties is a criminal offence.
Alternatives to strike-off
- Members' voluntary liquidation (MVL). A formal process run by a licensed insolvency practitioner for a solvent company. It costs more, but it can be the better choice when there are larger reserves to distribute or more complex assets.
- Creditors' voluntary liquidation. For a company that cannot pay its debts.
- Making the company dormant. If you may need the company again, you can keep it on the register and file dormant company accounts and a confirmation statement each year instead.
Common mistakes
- Leaving money in the company bank account
- Applying within 3 months of the last trade or a name change
- Forgetting to notify HMRC or an old supplier, who may then object
- Thinking strike-off cancels debts — it does not, and creditors can apply to restore the company
If you later find the company is needed after all, it may be possible to bring it back with our Company Restoration service.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to close a limited company by strike-off?
After Companies House accepts the DS01, a notice is published in The Gazette. If nobody objects, the company is usually dissolved around 2–3 months after the application.
Is the Companies House fee included?
Yes. The Companies House strike-off fee is included in the £180 price.
Can I strike off a company that still owes money?
No. Voluntary strike-off is only for companies that have paid their debts. If the company cannot pay what it owes, speak to a licensed insolvency practitioner.
What happens to money left in the company bank account?
Once the company is dissolved, any money or other assets left in it pass to the Crown. Close the account and distribute or move assets before applying.
Who needs to be told about the strike-off?
Shareholders, creditors (including HMRC), employees, pension trustees and any directors who did not sign must receive a copy of the DS01 within 7 days of filing.
What is the difference between strike-off and a members' voluntary liquidation?
Strike-off is a simple, low-cost application to Companies House. A members' voluntary liquidation is a formal process run by an insolvency practitioner, often used when a solvent company has larger reserves to distribute.
Can a dissolved company be brought back?
Sometimes. A company that was voluntarily struck off can usually only be restored by court order, generally within 6 years of dissolution.
Related services
Dormant Company Accounts
Prepare and file annual accounts for a UK company that has not traded, and tell HMRC it is dormant.
Company Restoration (Ltd and LLP)
Bring a struck-off or dissolved UK company or LLP back onto the Companies House register.
Annual Accounts Preparation and Filing
Year-end statutory accounts and Corporation Tax return prepared and filed for your limited company.
Confirmation Statement Filing
We check your company details and file your annual confirmation statement (CS01) with Companies House.