I feel ashamed that I should know all this with being part qualified in AAT
I set up a limited company in february 2014 as an online retailer selling products through a website. Anyway 2014 and this year turned out to be horrific long story short I had to move house a few times due to safety reasons, ended up severely ill after having my little girl. I almost died and they suspected a heart attack and blood clot in my lung amongst other things, lost my dad this year when his life support was switched off so as you can imagine its been difficult to keep on top of everything and the business never traded.
I rang HMRC last year to let them know I hadn't traded and asked them what I needed to do. They said I needed to contact companies house. I contacted companies house and they said I needed to write to HMRC. I wrote to HMRC and they have recently written back to me saying I need to write to companies house???? Its just constant backwards and forwards and I'm getting more confused.
Also I was able to file my annual return through webfiling earlier this year but when I tried to log in to try to file some sort of nil return for my accounts its saying my email isn't registered now?
I also have no way of logging into HMRC to file anything there and I can't remember if I registered for online services with HMRC.
I'm really worried that I'm in trouble now and whats coming next. I know I've been incredibly stupid and should have had this sorted ages ago.
Now life has settled down a little I am hoping to relaunch the website and buy stock keeping it under the same limited company and hoping I can build it up to earn an income.
What would your advice be? I feel like I'm in a mess and not sure where to start.
Have you tried setting up again on Companies House? Do you have your authentication code? I can log into any client using my address and password, so long as I have that code, so you could set up again with a different email address.
The only thing I can suggest is that you file dormants, and then if you get a penalty notice, ring them and explain what's happened? Either that, or don't submit the next annual return and let the company disappear. Set up a new one (worth ringing companies house and seeing first if they will be likely to wipe any penalty)
HMRC should know you are not trading yet, so shouldn't need to be involved.
I've emailed companies house to see why I can no longer log in. I think what might have happened is that I had an email address through 123 reg and this has to be renewed every year and paid for however its not my email address anymore obviously because I don't use it. So I think I will try reregistering with my personal email.
I already have the authentication code etc but it just won't let me log in first with my email address and password. Will there be an option when I reregister to say I already have the codes?
Do I just file everything through companies house or do I need to register for HMRC online services too? Or as you say do I not need to do anything HMRC wise?
I'm also in alot of personal debt thanks to my ex partner, will this affect my limited company at all if I were to relaunch everything and start trading soon?
Thanks so much for your help its been a big help thank you.
You first set up the new email and password, then you log in with it, and the next screen asks you for company number and auth code, which then takes you into the company.. that's how mine works, not sure if its an agent account though!
If HMRC haven't sent you a notice to file a CT600, then you don't have to anything. Filing accounts, and filing a tax return, are totally separate issues.
Your personal debts are nothing to do with the company. If you start trading, you inform HMRC that you began trading on the date at which you issue your first invoice.
The first thing you need to do is tackle the dormant accounts and worry about the rest later.
To add further to what Michelle has said. If you don't already know the filing date, you can check here https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/
I'm guessing it will be 30th November if you incorporated in February 2014. If you're unable to register a new email address you could file by post. I would send it recorded delivery as proof that you sent it.
Hi Michelle
I can log into any client using my address and password, so long as I have that code
Do you need a special account to do that, or will it work for me? I had a right kerfaffle a few weeks ago because a clients password was wrong
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Do you need a special account to do that, or will it work for me?
Yes you need to set up an agent account I think. Had mine that long that I cant remember how you set it up. Basically if you have the client reg number and authentication code you can log into their account and submit everything directly. You can also add your email address to be sent reminders when the accounts and annual return are due.
Though personally we now use inform direct to do all our clients Companies House submissions, with exception of accounts, and to keep a track of what is due when it is due.
Personally I would do nothing and let the company die.
Would in the meantime set up a new company and start trading through that.
If the accounts are late and you submit them then you will need to pay the penalty. If you never submit the accounts the company will eventually be struck off with the penalty never being issued.
