Set-up decision · UK business guide
Business Structures and Company Set-up
Compare sole trader, partnership and limited-company structures through control, liability, tax, administration and plans for growth.
Your three-step checklist
- 01
Map ownership and control
Decide who owns the business, makes decisions, takes profits and bears risk.
- 02
Compare obligations
Test liability, tax, filings, accounting, employment and licensing under each structure.
- 03
Register and document
Complete the registrations, records and agreements your chosen structure requires, and check the deadline for each one.
Selected reading
Understand the issue before deciding what to do next.
Start with these articles for the key rules and common decisions. Check the official sources for the current rule, then match any legal work to your situation.
Primary sources
Source links checked 1 August 2026. Confirm the current rule before acting.
Need help putting this into practice?
Put the right documents and advice behind your decision.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. The right path depends on the entity, documents and commercial facts.