How to re-start a dormant company

[spiderbait]

My limited company had never traded so I made it dormant about 2 years ago. Sometime after I created the company, HMRC asked me to submit a CT600, so I did (with zeroes), but then wrote them a letter to tell them the company was dormant and I've never heard anything from them since (don't recall filling in any other special forms)

Anyway, I'm thinking of trading with the company now. Do I need to submit some forms to Companies House and/or HMRC before I start trading? Or, do I just submit the annual return and accounts to Companies House when they're next due? By the way, I'm going to pay myself below the PAYE threshold because I don't want to establish a PAYE system with HMRC. In this case, how do I establish with HMRC that it has started trading?

[Alfie]

Even if you're dormant you still need to file accounts with Companies House. If you started the company about 2 years ago I'd guess you're pretty close to your first filing deadline already. Even if HMRC are aware, Companies House need to be considered too.

If you intend paying any wages, even below the tax code level, you'll need a PAYE scheme in place.

[spiderbait]

Thanks for the reply.

Even if you're dormant you still need to file accounts with Companies House. If you started the company about 2 years ago I'd guess you're pretty close to your first filing deadline already.

Yes, I've already filed one set of accounts as dormant; next accounts due some time next year. My question is though: do I need to notify Companies House that it is trading before filing the next set of accounts?

If you intend paying any wages, even below the tax code level, you'll need a PAYE scheme in place.

I thought there was a threshold that you didn't need a PAYE scheme - below the LEL?

I don't want to debate why or the pros and cons of not having a PAYE scheme; just want to know if I can just not have one. If so, are there any other forms or notification that I have to give HMRC that it has started trading?

[FarmerPalmer]

I did the same last year (was dormant for 7 years).

Rang HMRC and notified them for CT, VAT & PAYE.
Also registered for FRS after getting my VAT regisration through.

Companies House was updated at time of filing.

[pmeswani]

I thought there was a threshold that you didn't need a PAYE scheme - below the LEL?

I don't want to debate why or the pros and cons of not having a PAYE scheme; just want to know if I can just not have one. If so, are there any other forms or notification that I have to give HMRC that it has started trading?

If you plan to let your business pay you divis and a salary, no matter how low your salary is, your business has to register for PAYE.