Whats in a name?

[cmscotland]

I've posted this question in my initial Welcome thread but thought it might get more visibility on its own.

I've read over the information about naming your Limited Company and unerstand all the legalities/things you can't use but hat do people generally use as their name for contracting? Just your name?

[Sockpuppet]

I used a generic name. Mainly because it was 8 characters long and the domain was available and it's easy to read out over the phone etc.

so I'm sockpuppet@myltdbiz.tld

I'm not a fan of Tim Smith Ltd. Or Tim Smith IT Services. Just personal preference.

[VectraMan]

I have a .com domain I registered about 15 years ago, which I always thought would be the name of my company if I ever started one. So when I went contracting I became that plus "Software Ltd." (or Softwear Ltd. as HMRC's PAYE dept. insisted on calling it).

I think using your real name is a bit crap, but then so is a one man band pretending to be a large consultancy. If you work through an agent, it'll make bugger all difference to anybody, but if you're going to try to market your services then it makes sense not to call your IT consultancy "Bob's sandwiches", or something daft.

[cmscotland]

Thanks folks I'll need to have a think.

[PTP]

I regret the name I chose. It's of the format: <Initials><2 fields of work><Services Ltd>

a) It's too long - 6 words
b) I've heard that company names with an individual named in it e.g. Tim Smith, or words like "I.T. Services Ltd" have a higher chance of being flagged on HMRCs systems as likely suspects for IR35 enquiries. Whereas TSIT Ltd would stand more chance of going unnoticed

So I wouldn't recommend having your name in your co's name

[Moscow Mule]

I regret the name I chose. It's of the format: <Initials><2 fields of work><Services Ltd>

a) It's too long - 6 words
b) I've heard that company names with an individual named in it e.g. Tim Smith, or words like "I.T. Services Ltd" have a higher chance of being flagged on HMRCs systems as likely suspects for IR35 enquiries. Whereas TSIT Ltd would stand more chance of going unnoticed

So I wouldn't recommend having your name in your co's name

Hasn't done SJD Accountancy any harm...

[Sockpuppet]

Hasn't done SJD Accountancy any harm...

Nah but Upton Accounts probably wish they hadn't

[Clare@InTouch]

I regret the name I chose. It's of the format: <Initials><2 fields of work><Services Ltd>

a) It's too long - 6 words
b) I've heard that company names with an individual named in it e.g. Tim Smith, or words like "I.T. Services Ltd" have a higher chance of being flagged on HMRCs systems as likely suspects for IR35 enquiries. Whereas TSIT Ltd would stand more chance of going unnoticed

So I wouldn't recommend having your name in your co's name

You can change your company for £10, there's a simple Companies House form which you can fill in via webfiling.

[TheFaQQer]

b) I've heard that company names with an individual named in it e.g. Tim Smith, or words like "I.T. Services Ltd" have a higher chance of being flagged on HMRCs systems as likely suspects for IR35 enquiries. Whereas TSIT Ltd would stand more chance of going unnoticed

Rubbish - even HMRC aren't that numb. They would look at the company classification code and work from there.

That said, I used a generic name because it's the name I always said I'd use if I ever had a company. Since the company does more than one thing, then it works out well.

[d000hg]

I simply based it on my initials rather than my name, easy to make it sound like a 'real' company name.

e.g. John Smith => JS IT Solutions.

Just be careful if your name is Sam Harper.