Setting up a UK company as a US founder

Incorporation, the registered office requirement, identity verification and UK banking work identically for US founders as for other non-residents. US-issued passports are accepted for identity verification, and US-based founders commonly use fintech providers such as Wise or Mercury-linked services for a UK-facing account.

US citizenship carries no special UK company law treatment, but US citizens are taxed by the US on worldwide income regardless of residence, which makes the interaction with UK tax more involved than for founders from countries without citizenship-based taxation.

Owning 10% or more of a foreign corporation typically triggers Form 5471 filing with the IRS, a detailed and penalty-heavy form, and a UK company bank account can trigger FBAR and FATCA reporting once balances exceed reporting thresholds. These are separate from, and additional to, UK filing obligations.

The US-UK double tax treaty and US foreign tax credit rules generally prevent the same profit being taxed twice, but claiming relief correctly needs a US tax preparer familiar with foreign corporations alongside UK accountancy support, since neither professional alone typically covers both sides.

Our fixed monthly packages for a UK limited company start at £89 plus VAT and run to £169 and £289 plus VAT as bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and reporting are added. One-off filings are sold at fixed prices, and the Companies House fees we pay for you are charged at cost with no VAT added. Overseas owners are quoted on exactly the same published prices as UK-resident clients.

Rates, thresholds and deadlines here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.