Limted Companies - What Are They?

By Dorothy Marshall


Limited companies exist in their own legal right. This means that the company's finances are separate from the personal finances of their owners.

Share-owners may be individual people or other companies. They are not liable for the business's debts unless they have provided guaranties - for instance, a bank loan. Yet, they may lose the money they have put into the business if it fails.

The 3 primary sorts of Ltd companies. Private limited companies are made up of one or more members or shareowners. They cannot offer up stocks to the public. Nearly all small companies are private limited companies. Public limited companies, called PLCs must have at least a couple of shareowners and must have issued shares to the public to an economic value of at least 50,000 in advance of when it can trade. The 3rd kind, private unlimited companies are uncommon and are usually created for limited reasons.

Setting up a Ltd company is relatively simple. First, you must register at Companies House. You have to appoint your directors, one for a private limited company and at least two for a PLC. Those directors may also be shareholders. Directors have to be aged 16 or more. At least one of the directors has to be a private individual as opposed to a company. PLCs must have a qualified company secretary whose name has to be registered at Companies House. Directors are responsible for notifying Companies House for any changes to the company's directors or company secretary.

Limited Companies can raise money via their shareowners, business loans or their gains. Plcs can raise cash by trading their stock on the stock market. Earnings are shared with shareowners as a dividend, although a lot of that net income is kept within the business to give it working capital.

All limited companies are required to file accounts with Companies House. Their accounts have to be inspected on an annual basis, although some businesses are exempt from this requisite. It is essential that the directions Companies House provide you with for lodging your accounts are followed to the letter. If the business makes a profit or has any taxable income, they need to notify HM Revenue and Customs of that profit and pay Corporation tax. They will have got to file a tax return annually. Having a competent accountant is indispensable for an Ltd company to make sure that they meet all their responsibilities.




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