In the UK, Stamp Duty tax is payable on the transfer of existing shares. Calculated at a rate of 0.5% of the sale price of the shares, Stamp Duty (SD) must be paid to HMRC by the purchaser (the new shareholder) when: the price paid for shares is greater than £1000, and the sale is…
Selling on Amazon is an increasingly popular choice for individuals, sole traders, and limited companies, providing enhanced exposure and access to millions of potential customers online. According to Mintel, almost 90% of all UK shoppers use Amazon, and around 70% make purchases on the site at least once a month. As a result, Amazon is…
A dissolved company is one that has been closed and struck off the register at Companies House. When this happens, a company ceases to exist and is no longer able to trade. In certain circumstances, however, it is possible to bring a dissolved company back to life by applying to Companies House for ‘administrative restoration’.…
Put simply, a shareholder is someone who owns one or more shares in a company. A share essentially entitles you to a piece of the business. Usually, the bigger your shareholding, the larger proportion of the company’s profits you are entitled to, and the greater control you will have in the company. Companies can have…
While setting up a limited company entails a bit more in the way of formation than being a sole trader, as well as greater financial and admin responsibilities, there are certain advantages – one of which is ‘limited liability’. As the name suggests, any liabilities of a limited company generally do not extend beyond the…
Companies House Service is a digital search service that provides free access to all public information stored on the UK register of companies, and until recently was called Companies House BETA. The public ‘beta’ trial period for Companies House Service was launched in June 2015. ‘Beta’ is an IT industry term for software which is…
The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2018 included a broad set of changes that apply to a variety of businesses operating in the UK. From new betting restrictions and an increase in road maintenance spending, to a high street rescue package and an increase in the National Living Wage, company owners need to be aware of several…
As a business owner, you will have plenty of tax responsibilities – and one of those key responsibilities will be managing your company’s Value Added Tax (VAT) commitments. That’s why you need to be aware of major changes the UK Government will be making in April 2019 to the way in which your company keeps…
This blog is part of our ongoing series: If you’re starting a new business – here’s how NOT to fail. After reading about why your company needs a business landline telephone number (and why you should never be the one who answers it), be sure to check out the rest of our series, in which…
This blog is part of our ongoing series: If you’re starting a new business – here’s how NOT to fail. After reading about things you need to do before building a website for your company, be sure to check out the rest of our series, in which Rapid Formations CEO Graeme Donnelly spells out his…
If you’re a current business owner or you are someone interested in starting a business, chances are you do not want to fail. Forming a company, creating new products or services, bringing them to market and sharing your skills with the world is an incredible experience. But unfortunately, finding business success is never usually simple…
Nobody starts a business to fail. Forming a new company is incredibly exciting and can offer an extraordinary world of opportunity you never knew existed. But the truth is, the difference between success and failure for a new business often boils down to perception. That means how your company looks to potential customers or clients,…
