Complete guide to closing your UK limited company through voluntary strike off. Avoid costly mistakes and ensure proper closure.
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If your limited company is no longer trading and you want to close it properly, you may be able to apply for a voluntary company strike off using form DS01.
A company dissolution (also known as striking off a company) removes the company from the Companies House register and legally ends the company's existence.
Company dissolution is the process of removing a company from the Companies House register.
Form DS01 is the official Companies House form used to apply to strike off a limited company.
The application can usually be completed:
The form must normally be signed by a majority of directors.
A voluntary strike off is only suitable in certain situations. In most cases, your company should:
Important: If your company cannot pay its debts, formal insolvency procedures may be more appropriate.
Follow these steps to properly dissolve your company
Before applying for dissolution:
Your company should not trade during the strike off process.
Before submitting a DS01 application, you should:
Remaining assets pass to the Crown if not properly dealt with. This can include company bank balances, property, refunds, and intellectual property. If assets are left behind accidentally, the company may later need restoring.
Learn more about Company RestorationBefore dissolving a company, directors should usually:
HMRC can object to a strike off application if taxes or filings remain outstanding.
You can apply:
The form must be signed by a majority of directors.
Within 7 days of submitting the DS01 form, copies must normally be sent to:
Failure to notify interested parties can lead to objections or legal consequences.
Once Companies House accepts the application:
A second Gazette notice confirms the company has been struck off.
Strike off applications are commonly stopped because:
HMRC frequently objects if Corporation Tax matters remain unresolved.
A company should not continue trading during the strike off process.
If the company resumes activity, the application may need to be withdrawn using form DS02.
Form DS02 is used to cancel a strike off application.
Once a company is dissolved:
Bank accounts are usually frozen
Directors lose authority over company funds
Remaining balances may pass to the Crown
This is one of the biggest mistakes directors make when dissolving companies.
If funds become trapped after dissolution, restoration may be required to recover them.
Learn more: What Happens to a Bank Account When a Company is Dissolved?Suitable for:
Usually required where:
Choosing the wrong closure route can create serious problems later.
At Taxwise Accountancy, we help directors close limited companies properly and avoid costly mistakes.