The UK offers a stable business environment with well-established legal frameworks and access to capital markets. As a major global economy, it provides opportunities for companies looking to expand internationally.

Setting up operations in the UK means understanding the local regulatory requirements. Two areas need particular attention from the outset.

 

What you need to know

Getting UK compliance wrong can be costly and time-consuming to fix later. The requirements vary significantly depending on your business size, structure and activities and recent regulatory changes mean some thresholds and obligations have shifted. Both areas are important when establishing a UK presence and understanding them early will help you make informed decisions about your business structure.

 

Meeting your compliance obligations

Filing deadlines, when you’ll need an audit, which accounting standards to use, and how recent changes might affect your business.

 

Understanding your UK tax position

Corporation tax rates, available reliefs like R&D credits, VAT requirements, and how double tax treaties might affect your business.

 

UK tax and audit guides for international companies

We have created two guides that focus on the practical side of UK compliance. They cover the questions we get asked most often by foreign companies, including current rates, recent regulatory changes, and how these requirements actually work in practice.

Doing business in the UK – Establishing a presence

9th July 2025
 
Establishing a business presence in the United Kingdom offers significant opportunities...
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Doing business in the UK – How do you open a UK branch?

31st March 2023
 
Trading with the UK has changed significantly in recent years, so we look at how overseas businesses can open offices in the UK.
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Tax

Doing business in the UK – A tax perspective

10th June 2025
 
Gravita has a team of tax experts who can guide overseas companies if you are looking to set-up in the UK, contact the Gravita team here.
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Doing business in the UK – Audit and accountancy

10th June 2025
Written by: Thomas Adcock
Gravita have a team of experts who can smoothly guide overseas companies, if you are looking to set-up in the UK, please contact us here.
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A Guide to Charity Reserves

A guide to charity reserves

6th July 2026
Written by: Alison Godfrey
This guide is designed to help trustees gain a better understanding of charity reserves and the importance of their reserves policy. Trustees are required to act in the best interests of the charity and their...
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A guide to the role of a charity trustee

6th July 2026
Written by: Alison Godfrey
Being a charity trustee can be really rewarding. It is a great way to use your skills and experience to support a worthy cause. Whilst the desire to give something back is a great starting...
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A guide to legal structures for social enterprises

6th July 2026
Written by: Alison Godfrey
When setting up a social enterprise one of the first things you need to consider is the legal structure through which you will operate. The legal structure will dictate fundamental aspects of how your organisation...
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