companies house made easy

HMRC will decide whether it can register your business when you fill in the MLR101 form. Download from www.hmrc.gov.uk or phone 0845 010 9000 to request the form. You must complete the form yourself and sign it personally if you are:

• A sole proprietor applying for MLR registration
• A person who effectively directs, or will direct, the business or service provider (e.g. a partner or director - including a non executive director)
• A beneficial owner (eg someone holding 25% of the shares or 25% of business assets, or
• The Nominated officer

The information you must give is detailed and your identity will be verified and shared with organisations outside HMRC. For example there are questions on convicted offences (not ‘spent’ convictions), whether you are currently charged with offences, or if you have been adjudged bankrupt (or in Scotland if sequestration of your estate has been awarded). However if you have been discharged from bankruptcy you will not be affected. You have to state if you are currently disqualified from acting as a Company Director or have ever been the subject of a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. All the above questions will be cross checked and if certain of these criteria apply to a person who is in a position of ownership or control the business cannot be registered.

There are general personal details to answer including all names you may have been known under and nationality. You will also have to give passport details, National Insurance number, and ID number for countries that use it (e.g. Spain) and your driving licence number. Full details for all addresses in the last five years must be recorded and you must state your role in the business, eg company director or company secretary, and if you are appointed as Nominated officer. Money Laundering Regulations require all registered businesses to appoint a Nominated Officer to handle the anti-money laundering systems and controls of the business.

You must read the caution and sign and date the form. Collate all your fit and proper applications and submit together with form MLR100 Money Laundering Application for Registration. Send fees for application (£95 for each set of premises) and £50 for each fit and proper application.

Heather Harrison is a highly regarded member of the Duport team. Her thorough knowledge of small businesses, combined with her talents developed during a career as a well respected journalist, make her articles very popular with our readers. Heather has worked on a variety of weekly and monthly magazines, both in the consumer and business press.