FoundingSign in

Checklist

Everything it takes to get a company properly set up — in order, with the things you can’t start yet marked as waiting rather than hidden.

🌍

Where you stand

Sign in to track your progress.

Sign in
🧭

1. Decide

0/4Where you incorporate, and as what.
  • Choose the countryWhere the company is registered drives its tax treatment, filing obligations and who has to be resident.
  • Choose the entity typeThe vehicle determines liability, how profits are taxed, and what investors can buy.
  • Check the name is availableRegistries reject names that conflict with an existing registration or use restricted words.
  • Agree directors, shareholders and share splitWho holds what, and who is legally responsible for the company's filings.
🏛️

2. File

0/4Get the company legally into existence.
  • Verify the identity of directors and beneficial ownersIncreasingly mandatory — in the UK it has been compulsory for new directors and PSCs since 18 November 2025.
  • Prepare the constitutional documentsArticles or constitution, plus whatever incorporation form the registry requires.
  • File with the registrySubmission of the incorporation application and payment of the filing fee.
  • Receive the certificate and company numberThe company legally exists from this point and can contract in its own name.
🏦

3. Bank

0/2Somewhere for the money to land.
  • Open a business bank accountRequires the company number, so it cannot start until incorporation completes. Some countries require a director to attend in person.
  • Connect a payment processorNeeds a settlement account, so it follows the bank account.
🧾

4. Register for tax

0/3Tell the authorities the company exists.
  • Register for corporation taxJurisdiction-specificDeadlines differ by country — the UK allows three months from starting to trade. Check the country guide.
  • Assess sales tax registrationVAT, GST or equivalent. Mandatory above a threshold; voluntary registration below it often allows input tax to be reclaimed on startup costs.
  • Set up payroll before the first salaryPayroll registration is generally required before paying anyone, including yourself.
📚

5. Keep the books

0/3The recurring obligations that start immediately.
  • Choose accounting softwarePick something your accountant already works in and that supports your country's filings.
  • Appoint an accountantLocal to the country of incorporation, since the filing obligations are local.
  • Diarise the annual returnAnnualMost registries require an annual filing whether or not the company has traded, and charge a penalty for missing it.
🛡️

6. Protect

0/3The founder paperwork that is cheapest to do early.
  • Assign pre-incorporation IP to the companyWork done before the company existed belongs to the individual who did it until it is formally assigned.
  • Put a shareholders' agreement in placeGoverns transfers, deadlock and what happens when a founder leaves. Relevant from the second shareholder onwards.
  • Agree founder vestingSets out what equity a founder keeps if they leave before an agreed period.

Not sure a step applies to you?

The checklist is generic to your country and entity type. It can’t know your circumstances, and it isn’t legal or tax advice.

Browse countries