Limited company guide
What a SIC code is, how many you can have, what happens if it is wrong, and how the code you choose affects banking, insurance and how Companies House classifies you.
Short answer
A SIC code is a five-digit Standard Industrial Classification code describing what your company does. You give at least one on incorporation and confirm it on every confirmation statement, and you can hold up to four. It has no direct tax effect, but banks, insurers, lenders and credit agencies read it, so a vague or wrong code causes friction.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityA SIC code is a five-digit Standard Industrial Classification code describing what your company does. You give at least one on incorporation and confirm it on every confirmation statement, and you can hold up to four. It has no direct tax effect, but banks, insurers, lenders and credit agencies read it, so a vague or wrong code causes friction.
What the code is used for
Choosing a code that fits
Changing your SIC code
Dormant and holding companies
Before you act
Companies House uses SIC codes for statistics. Everyone else uses them as a shortcut: banks assess account applications against them, insurers price against them, lenders and credit reference agencies segment by them, and some grant schemes filter on them.
That is why 82990 'other business support service activities' costs people money. It tells a bank nothing, and unexplained codes attract extra questions during onboarding.
Start from what you invoice for, not what you aspire to. A software business selling a subscription product is usually 62012 or 58290 rather than a generic consulting code. An online retailer is 47910. A property investment company is 68209, and a property development company 41100 — a distinction that matters for both lenders and tax analysis.
You can record up to four codes. Use more than one where the company genuinely has distinct revenue streams, and put the main activity first.
You update SIC codes on the confirmation statement, or file an early confirmation statement if the change matters now. There is no penalty for having evolved, and no advantage in leaving a stale code in place.
If your bank opened the account against an old code and the business has moved on, tell them. A mismatch between the register and your actual trade is a common trigger for account reviews.
Dormant companies use 99999. A pure holding company uses 64209. Using a trading code on a dormant company invites questions about why no trade is being reported.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK tax year. Check current GOV.UK guidance, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Primary references
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
Up to four. List the main activity first.
Not directly. It can affect how HMRC and lenders risk-profile the company, and some reliefs are assessed on the actual activity rather than the code.
99999 is the dormant company code.
Yes. File an early confirmation statement with the corrected codes.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
Talk to an accountant
Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
