Yes. You can own and direct a UK limited company from anywhere in the world. There is no requirement for a UK-resident director, so many of our clients run their UK company from Australia or New Zealand.
The company still has to meet UK rules in full, wherever its owners live. Your personal tax position and your right to live in the UK are separate questions, so check both before you draw money from the company or plan a move.
Go deeperHow we keep UK companies compliant for owners based overseas.
Accounting for overseas companies →What does the company still need in the UK?
Every UK company needs a registered office address in the UK, where official post can be delivered and handled, and a registered email address for Companies House. Every director must verify their identity with Companies House, wherever they live. Most overseas owners pay a provider for the registered office and use a UK firm as their point of contact.
What must the company file each year?
Three things, on time, every year: a confirmation statement at Companies House, annual accounts at Companies House, and a Corporation Tax return with HMRC, the UK tax authority. A new company's first accounts are due 21 months after it was registered, then nine months after each year end. Late accounts bring automatic penalties.
Where does the company pay tax if you run it from abroad?
A company registered in the UK is UK tax resident, so it pays UK Corporation Tax on its profits. If the board makes its decisions from another country, that country may treat the company as resident too. A tax treaty between the two countries usually decides which one has the main claim, so plan where and how board decisions are made.
How are you taxed personally?
It depends on where you live and where you do the work. Salary for work carried out in the UK can be taxable in the UK even if you live abroad. Dividends are usually taxed mainly in your home country. Get cross-border advice before you pay yourself, because the wrong mix can mean paying tax twice.
Does owning a UK company let you live in the UK?
No. Owning or running a UK company gives you no right to live or work in the UK. If you or your staff plan to move, you need a visa route that fits. See whether buying or setting up a business gets you a visa.
Sources: Companies House fees, GOV.UK · UK Expansion Worker visa, GOV.UK
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Running a UK company from overseas? Talk to Paul Beare about accounting for overseas companies.
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