How to Close a Limited Company in the UK in 2026 – Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Yes — you can close a UK limited company in 2026 through voluntary strike off (the simplest and most popular route for solvent, often dormant companies) or by appointing a liquidator if the company has debts or more complex affairs. The process is straightforward if your company is solvent, has no outstanding liabilities, and all filings are up to date, but it must be done correctly to avoid personal liability, penalties, or future complications.
Updated March 2026: The digital filing fee for voluntary strike off (Form DS01) is now £13 (reduced from £33 as part of the February 2026 fee changes). The Confirmation Statement (CS01) fee remains £50, and all directors must have completed ID verification before any strike-off application can be accepted. With stricter enforcement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, incomplete or late applications are rejected more quickly than ever.
At Filing Accounts, we help hundreds of directors close their limited companies every year — quickly, compliantly, and with full peace of mind. Contact us today for expert help with company dissolution or strike off in 2026.
Two Main Ways to Close a Limited Company in 2026
| Method | Best For | Cost | Timeframe | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntary Strike Off (DS01) | Solvent companies with no debts, often dormant or ceased trading | £13 (digital) / £18 (paper) | 3–6 months | Low |
| Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) | Solvent companies with assets to distribute | £2,000–£5,000+ (insolvency practitioner fees) | 6–12 months | Medium |
| Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) | Insolvent companies (debts > assets) | £3,000–£8,000+ | 6–18 months | High |
Most small and dormant companies choose voluntary strike off because it is low-cost and simple.
When Can You Close a Limited Company via Voluntary Strike Off?
Your company must meet all of these conditions:
- It has not traded, sold goods, or provided services in the last 3 months
- It has not changed its name in the last 3 months
- It is not the subject of any legal proceedings
- It has no outstanding debts (including tax, VAT, PAYE, or supplier invoices)
- All shareholders agree to the closure
If your company fails any of these tests, you will usually need to use liquidation instead.
Step-by-Step: How to Close a Limited Company via Voluntary Strike Off in 2026
Step 1: Prepare the Company (1–2 weeks)
- Finalise and file any outstanding accounts and Confirmation Statement (CS01 — £50 fee)
- Pay all taxes, VAT, PAYE, and supplier invoices in full
- Close the business bank account and distribute any remaining funds to shareholders (as dividends or capital)
- Cancel VAT, PAYE, and any other HMRC registrations
- Remove the company from any contracts or leases
Step 2: Obtain Shareholder Agreement
All shareholders must agree to the strike off. Hold a meeting or pass a written resolution.
Step 3: File Form DS01 with Companies House
- Log into your Companies House WebFiling account
- Complete and submit Form DS01 (Application for voluntary striking off)
- All directors must have verified ID (mandatory in 2026)
- Pay the £13 digital filing fee (by debit/credit card)
Official form and guidance: Apply to strike off your limited company
Step 4: Companies House Publishes Notice
- A notice appears in The Gazette (public record)
- A 2-month objection period begins
- Anyone (creditors, HMRC, employees) can object
Step 5: Final Checks and Closure
- If no objections after 2 months, Companies House strikes the company off the register
- You receive a formal confirmation letter
- The company ceases to exist
The entire process usually takes 3–6 months from filing DS01.
Costs of Closing a Limited Company in 2026
| Item | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary strike off (DS01 digital) | £13 | Online filing |
| Voluntary strike off (paper) | £18 | By post |
| Outstanding CS01 filing | £50 | If not already filed |
| Final accounts preparation | £150–£450 | If required |
| Accountant/insolvency advice | £300–£1,500 | Recommended for complex cases |
| Members’ Voluntary Liquidation | £2,000–£5,000+ | For larger asset distributions |
Common Mistakes Directors Make When Closing a Company
- Filing DS01 while the company still has a bank account or open invoices
- Forgetting to file final accounts or the £50 CS01
- Distributing assets after submitting DS01
- Not notifying HMRC of closure (can lead to unexpected tax demands)
- Ignoring the 2-month Gazette objection period
What Our Clients Say on Trustpilot
- “Filing Accounts handled the entire closure of my limited company smoothly and quickly. No stress at all!” – Anonymous, March 2026 (5 stars)
- “Professional service from start to finish. They made sure every step was compliant, including the DS01 fee payment.” – Mark T., February 2026 (5 stars)
- “Saved me time and worry. Highly recommend for company strike off.” – Sarah L., January 2026 (5 stars)
With our consistent 4.2/5 Trustpilot rating, directors trust us to close their companies correctly and compliantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file DS01 in 2026? £13 for digital filing (online) and £18 for paper filing.
How long does it take to close a limited company in 2026? Usually 3–6 months via voluntary strike off.
Can I close a dormant company? Yes — dormant companies are ideal candidates for voluntary strike off.
What if the company has debts? You cannot use strike off. You must use Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL).
Do I need an accountant to close my company? Not legally required, but strongly recommended to avoid mistakes and ensure all tax affairs are finalised.
Official GOV.UK resources:
Ready to Close Your Limited Company the Right Way?
Closing a limited company is straightforward when done correctly, but even small errors (including missing the correct DS01 fee) can lead to personal liability or delays. Filing Accounts provides a complete, stress-free service — from final accounts and tax clearances to filing DS01 and confirming closure.
Contact us today or book a free consultation — we’ll guide you through every step and ensure your limited company is closed properly and compliantly in 2026.