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Keep your address up to date with HMRC and Companies House

2 Mins Read

Being sent reminders about the returns that you have to file with HMRC and Companies House relies on your contact details being up to date with the authorities. If you don’t keep your details up to date, and miss a reminder, you could risk a hefty fine for late submission of the required returns.

If you move house it is essential to make sure that all post is re-directed. That way you will not miss anything important. Postal re-direction, set up at the Post Office, should be done for both the business and personal post. Of course, if you operate a limited company then your post may well be going to the registered office of the company which may not be your home address. It is always vital to have post re-direction set up with your registered office provider.

Next you will need to start the process of letting HMRC know your new address. That’s not one but many letters as the HMRC systems do not talk to each other. So you have to tell separate HMRC departments about your address change for each tax that you are registered for.

Here’s a summary of who you need to tell about your change of address:

For Sole Traders

  • HMRC for the self assessment tax return
  • If an employer – HMRC PAYE for the employer
  • If VAT registered – HMRC VAT

Limited Company

  • HMRC for Corporation Tax
  • Companies House (a separate Government department not connected to HMRC) for the company record if the registered office address changes
  • If an employer – HMRC PAYE for the employer
  • If VAT registered – HMRC VAT

It’s worth noting that changing the Registered Office at Companies House will not update any HMRC address details; nor will updating the address at HMRC change the information stored at Companies House

For Directors

  • HMRC for your own personal self assessment tax return
  • HMRC for your employee record (through your RTI returns) for any pay you receive from the company

Address changing is bureaucratic but essential if you want to stay on top of things and avoid fines. Remember that it is your responsibility to keep all of your addresses up to date with HMRC, Companies House and your accountant, if you use one. Do not assume that your accountant knows that you have moved; especially if you haven’t told them!