Company dissolved, is former director reliable for taxes owing to revenue?

eniasmb

I operated a small business business bank account with Barclays Bank. Last week they froze my account because the register for companies issued a disolution notice and disolved the company early this month. It was a surprise indeed as the reason for this dissolution is the fact that my accountant forgot to file annual return (doc 363). Today the bank have sent back payments that were made after the account was frozen.

I still owe the inland revenue Taxes for the current year but the company no longer exist. My quesition is,

1. Do I have to pay what I owed the authorities
2. If I dont pay, will I be prosecuted even though the register of companies disolved my company without my consent?

I will appreciate your valuable contributions.

Thank you

Rolo_Tomasi

As a director, it is your responsibility (not your accountants) to ensure that the company complies with the Companies Act. You will have received several notices from Companies House (at least one by recorded delivery) that the company was going to be struck off.

Have you stopped trading completely? If you want to continue to trade then you will need to reopen the company. This can be done for a fee - not sure what it is under the new companies act but details will be at http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk

And yes, as a director, the Revenue can pursue you personally for any debt owed to them even if the company has been struck off.

kalaika

Following on from Rolo's post, if HMRC are still owed money from the company then I think they can apply to Companies House for the company to be reopened. Once reopen, HMRC will push for payment and if the company is insolvent may be able to chase you as director instead.