If you have recently set up a limited company in the UK, you have probably dealt with both HMRC and Companies House. Many new business owners assume they are the same organisation, or that registering with one automatically covers the other. They do not — and understanding the difference can save you from missed deadlines, unexpected penalties, and administrative confusion.
What Is Companies House?
Companies House is the UK's registrar of companies. It is an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade, and its primary role is to incorporate and dissolve limited companies, and to maintain a public register of company information.
When you form a limited company, you register it with Companies House. This is where your company's official details are held, including your registered office address, director information, shareholder details, and annual confirmation statements and accounts.
Companies House does not deal with tax. Its focus is on company records, filings, and the public register.
Key responsibilities of Companies House:
- Incorporating limited companies and LLPs
- Maintaining the public register of companies
- Receiving and publishing annual accounts and confirmation statements
- Recording changes to directors, shareholders, and registered addresses
- Striking off companies that fail to file
What Is HMRC?
HMRC — His Majesty's Revenue and Customs — is the UK's tax authority. It is responsible for collecting taxes, administering tax credits and some benefits, and enforcing tax compliance.
When you set up a limited company, you must register separately with HMRC for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to trade. Depending on your business, you may also need to register for VAT, PAYE, and Self Assessment.
HMRC does not maintain company records. Its focus is on tax obligations and compliance.
Key responsibilities of HMRC:
- Collecting Corporation Tax, VAT, Income Tax, and National Insurance
- Administering PAYE for employers
- Issuing Unique Taxpayer References (UTRs)
- Enforcing Making Tax Digital requirements
- Sending tax notices, penalty letters, and compliance correspondence
Why the Confusion Matters
Because Companies House and HMRC are separate, changes made to one do not automatically update the other. If you change your registered office address with Companies House, HMRC may still hold your old address on their records. You need to update both separately.
Similarly, registering your company with Companies House does not register you for Corporation Tax. That is a separate step with HMRC, and missing it can result in penalties.
How Your Registered Office Address Connects Both
Both Companies House and HMRC use your registered office address to send official correspondence. Companies House publishes it on the public register. HMRC uses it to send your Corporation Tax UTR, VAT correspondence, and compliance letters.
This is why having a professional, monitored registered office address matters. If important letters from either organisation go unread, the consequences can escalate quickly.
Spectre Offices provides registered office addresses across the UK — including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Bradford, and Huddersfield — ensuring your official correspondence is always received and handled.
View our registered office address services →
Summary
Companies House and HMRC are two separate organisations with distinct roles. Companies House manages your company's public record. HMRC manages your tax obligations. Both require separate registrations, separate filings, and separate address updates. Understanding the difference from the start helps you stay organised, compliant, and in control of your business administration.
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