Situation
Changing or closing
Restructuring, selling up, passing the business on, or closing down properly. What each route involves — and how to take it without a tax or legal surprise.
What are you trying to do?
Change your business structure
e.g. sole trader to limited company
Sell your business
Preparing, valuing and completing a sale
Transfer ownership
Passing the business to family or a partner
Close your company
Striking off or winding up a limited company
Stop being a sole trader
Telling HMRC and settling your final tax
Deal with financial difficulty
Rescue options before — and during — insolvency
Where most owners start
All journeysChange your business structure
Navigate the process of changing your business's legal structure - from sole trader to limited company, partnership, or LLP
Sell your business
Navigate the business sale process from preparation to completion and beyond - valuation, finding buyers, due diligence, TUPE, deal negotiation, and post-sale obligations
Transfer ownership of your business
Plan and execute business succession - family transfers, management buyouts, partner buyouts, or employee ownership
Close your company
Choose the right route to close your limited company - voluntary strike-off, Members' Voluntary Liquidation, or dealing with debts
Stop your sole trader business
Step-by-step guide to closing your self-employment - telling HMRC, filing final returns, and keeping required records
Explore business rescue and insolvency options
Understand your options when your company faces financial difficulty - from rescue procedures to formal insolvency, your duties as a director, and how to protect employees
For your sector
Pick your sector to see the routes built for it.