Closing down & dormancy
Strike off suits small solvent companies, an MVL suits larger reserves and a liquidation is required if insolvent. The routes compared with costs.
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 solvent company with small reserves is usually closed by voluntary strike off using form DS01. Where reserves are substantial, a members' voluntary liquidation is usually cheaper after tax. An insolvent company must use a creditors' voluntary liquidation.
Voluntary strike off
Liquidation routes
A solvent company with small reserves is usually closed by voluntary strike off using form DS01. Where reserves are substantial, a members' voluntary liquidation is usually cheaper after tax. An insolvent company must use a creditors' voluntary liquidation.
Available where the company has not traded, changed its name or disposed of property for value in the last three months, and is not subject to insolvency proceedings. Settle all liabilities, close payroll and VAT, file outstanding returns, distribute remaining reserves and file DS01 with the fee.
Distributions on strike off are treated as capital rather than income only up to £25,000 in total. Above that, the whole distribution is taxed as a dividend, which is why larger companies use an MVL instead.
A members' voluntary liquidation is a formal solvent wind-up run by a licensed insolvency practitioner, costing a few thousand pounds, with distributions treated as capital and often qualifying for Business Asset Disposal Relief at 14%.
If the company cannot pay its debts, a creditors' voluntary liquidation is required and directors must act in creditors' interests immediately. Continuing to trade while insolvent risks personal liability for wrongful trading.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted 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.
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Frequently asked
Anything remaining when the company is dissolved passes to the Crown as bona vacantia. Distribute before filing DS01.
Yes, file final accounts and a final CT600, settle the tax, and close PAYE and VAT registrations.
Yes, through administrative restoration or a court order, but it is slow and expensive.
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.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
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.
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