Why the order matters
An expired licence, an open visa or an active tax registration keeps generating fines. Close them in the right order and the costs stop; skip a step and the process stalls.
The usual sequence
- Stop trading and agree a closing date
- Cancel employees’ visas and settle final dues
- Prepare final accounts (and a liquidator report where required)
- Deregister for VAT and corporate tax, filing final returns
- Cancel the establishment card and the licence
- Close the bank account last
Tax deadlines when you stop
Apply to deregister for VAT within 20 business days of stopping taxable supplies, and for corporate tax within three months of ceasing business. Final returns are still due.
Can I just let the licence expire?
No. Fines continue to build on the licence, visas and tax registrations, and can follow the owners. A proper closure ends them.
