Regsitering A Trading Name?

[nellypope]

I am in the process of becoming self-employed. However I would like to trade under a different name than my own. I would be working as a free-lance graphic designer but for personal reasons would rather use a more corporate sounding company type name. The chap I spoke to at HMRC said he thought I would need to register it with the patents office, however other advice dictates Companies House would be where I need to go? any ideas?

[pixie373]

We checked there was nobody with the same name as us and registered with Companies House (i think it was). You have to send in a form to say you're self-employed and get your UTR. Fill in the name you want on there.

[nellypope]

Thanks Pixie, there seems to be an awful lot of companies who want you to pay for this service. Will be spending a pleasant evening filling out these forms, thank you :-)

[pixie373]

You're welcome. It didn't cost us anything to register. We just pay an accountant at end-of-year to do the returns x

[Hopkirk]

When I became a sole trader last year, my accountancy company told me I could call myself anything, and it didn't matter if someone else had the same.

However if I was to go down the limited company route, then I would have to have a unique trading name.

[tamborine]

HMRC & your bank need to be informed.

1. HMRC will send you info re completing SE Returns after your first year of trading. nb log all your receipts, CC statements & exes into Excel or similar.

2. Bank will open a business account with own cheque book.

All above will be audited by HMRC in time, so keep safe. Good luck.

[tamborine]

this is a good to check your business name & set up a domain

http://getdotted.com/

[nellypope]

Thanks everyone :-)