Dormant Company Checker
Check if a UK company is dormant. See the last accounts type, recent filing activity, and dormancy status from Companies House.
What Is a Dormant Company in the UK?
A dormant company is one that has had no significant accounting transactions during its financial year - in practice, it has not traded, earned income, or incurred costs (beyond the Companies House annual filing fees). A company can be dormant from the moment of incorporation, or can become dormant after ceasing trading. There are two slightly different definitions that matter:
- Companies House dormancy - no significant accounting transactions since incorporation or since the last filed accounts
- HMRC dormancy - not active for Corporation Tax (no trading income, no capital gains, no other chargeable activities). Similar but not identical to Companies House's definition.
How to Check if a UK Company Is Dormant
Enter a company name or number and this tool checks the type of accounts most recently filed at Companies House. If the company last filed dormant accounts, it is classified as dormant. This is the most reliable public indicator - more accurate than company status alone, which may show "active" even for a company that has not traded for years.
Why Companies Go Dormant
- Name protection - incorporating a limited company to hold a business name and prevent others from registering it
- Pre-trading setup - setting up the corporate structure before the business begins operating
- Holding company - a company that exists to own shares in subsidiaries, with no trading activity of its own
- Ceased trading - a company that has stopped operating but has not yet been formally dissolved
Dormant vs Active vs Dissolved: What Is the Difference?
An active company is registered and currently trading or capable of trading. A dormant company is registered but has had no significant accounting transactions - it exists on the register but is not operating. A dissolved company has been formally removed from the register and no longer exists as a legal entity, though historical records remain publicly accessible.
Dormant Company Filing Requirements and Obligations
Even a dormant company must maintain its filing obligations:
- Annual accounts - simplified dormant accounts (balance sheet only, no P&L) must be filed at Companies House each year
- Confirmation statement - the annual statement confirming company details are up to date (£13 online filing fee)
- HMRC notification - inform HMRC the company is dormant for Corporation Tax. No CT600 return is required while dormant, but HMRC must be told.
How to Make a Company Dormant
To make a company dormant, cease all significant accounting transactions. Notify HMRC using the online service that the company is dormant for Corporation Tax. Continue filing simplified dormant accounts and confirmation statements at Companies House each year. No formal application to Companies House is needed - dormancy is determined by the type of accounts you file, not by a separate declaration.
Related Company Status and Research Tools
- Company Age Calculator - find out when a UK company was incorporated and how old it is
- Filing Deadline Calculator - check when a company's accounts and confirmation statement are due
- Free Company Search - look up any UK company by name or number
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dormant company in the UK?
A dormant company is one that has had no significant accounting transactions during its financial year - in practice, this means it is not actively trading or receiving income. Companies go dormant to preserve a name, hold assets, or pause operations. A dormant company remains on the register and still has annual filing obligations.
How do I know if a UK company is dormant?
The clearest public indicator is the type of accounts most recently filed at Companies House. If the company filed dormant accounts, it is classified as dormant. This tool checks the public filing history so you can see a company's dormancy status free, without needing to log in anywhere.
Does a dormant company still have to file documents at Companies House?
Yes. Even a dormant company must file annual accounts (in a simplified dormant format) and a confirmation statement each year. Failure to do so risks the company being struck off the register. It should also notify HMRC that it is dormant for Corporation Tax purposes, though HMRC dormancy and Companies House dormancy are assessed slightly differently.
What is the difference between Companies House dormancy and HMRC dormancy?
Companies House treats a company as dormant when it has had no significant accounting transactions. HMRC treats a company as dormant when it is not liable to Corporation Tax - which usually means no trading income, capital gains, or other chargeable activities. The two tests are similar but not identical, so always notify both if your company goes dormant.
Can a dormant company start trading again?
Yes. A dormant company can resume trading at any time. Once it does, it becomes active and must meet all standard reporting obligations including full accounts and Corporation Tax returns. It should also notify HMRC that it is active within three months of starting to trade.
How do I make my company dormant?
To make a company dormant, it must cease all significant accounting transactions. You should then inform HMRC by filing a CT600 showing no activity, or by requesting dormant status. You still need to file simplified dormant accounts at Companies House and submit your annual confirmation statement. No formal application to Companies House is required - dormancy is determined by your filing type.
Can I keep a company name active without trading?
Yes. This is one of the main reasons companies go dormant. Registering and maintaining a limited company in dormant status is a legitimate way to protect a brand name or business name and prevent anyone else from registering it while you are not yet ready to trade.
Is a dormant company the same as a shell company?
Not necessarily. A dormant company has had no significant accounting transactions and holds minimal assets. A shell company is a broader term for a company with few or no active operations, which may or may not be formally dormant. Some shell companies are used for legitimate purposes (holding assets, structuring businesses) and some are misused - dormancy status alone does not indicate anything improper.
What does a dormant company balance sheet look like?
A dormant company balance sheet is typically very simple. It usually shows only the share capital as a liability and a corresponding cash or debtor entry as an asset - reflecting the initial share allotment. Any transaction beyond this would make the company non-dormant.
How much does it cost to keep a company dormant?
The main cost is the annual confirmation statement fee payable to Companies House. Dormant accounts can be filed for free. If you use an accountant to prepare and file the documents, there will be a professional fee on top, though dormant filings are typically the most affordable service an accountant provides.
Will a dormant company show up on credit checks?
Yes. Dormant companies appear on the Companies House register and therefore appear in commercial credit checks. However, because they have no trading activity, revenue, or credit history, they typically show a minimal credit profile. Lenders and suppliers may treat a dormant company's credit profile differently from an active one.
What is the difference between a dormant, active, and dissolved company?
An active company is registered and has trading activity. A dormant company is registered but has had no significant accounting transactions - it exists but is not operating. A dissolved company has been formally removed from the register and no longer exists, though its historical records remain publicly accessible at Companies House.