Congratulations, You’ve Incorporated. Now, Don’t Miss These Critical 90-Day Deadlines.
You’ve done it. The paperwork is filed, the name is registered, and your business is officially a legal entity. It’s a moment of huge excitement and relief—the culmination of countless hours of planning and hard work. The temptation is to take a deep breath and celebrate.
But don’t relax just yet.
While the legal incorporation is complete, you’ve just entered the most critical compliance window for your new business: the first 90 days. This period is fraught with administrative deadlines and foundational tasks that most first-time founders, suffering from post-incorporation fatigue, either overlook or underestimate.
Missing these steps doesn’t just create future headaches; it can lead to financial penalties, legal trouble, and even the forced dissolution of the company you just worked so hard to build. Here are the three essential tasks you must get right from day one.
1. The Immediate Task: Essential Tax Registrations
Your company now exists as a separate legal entity, which means it also exists as a separate taxable entity. You must formally register it with the national tax authorities immediately.
The Common Mistake: Many founders assume that registering the company automatically registers it for tax. This is incorrect. In the UK, you must register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade. In the US, one of your very first steps must be to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which is essential for opening a business bank account and filing taxes. Delaying or forgetting this step is a major red flag for tax authorities and can lead to immediate penalties.
✅ The Solution: Handled From Day One A smooth start requires a systematic process. At Accelus, we integrate these critical registrations directly into our new client onboarding. We don’t wait for you to ask. We ensure your business is correctly registered with HMRC or the IRS from the outset, securing your compliance and allowing you to operate legally without delay.
2. The Lingering Threat: Annual Filing Requirements
When you’re focused on building a product and finding customers, thinking about a filing deadline that’s a year away seems like a low priority. This is precisely why so many new businesses fail to meet their annual compliance obligations.
The Hidden Danger: In the UK, you are required to file a “Confirmation Statement” with Companies House at least once every 12 months to confirm your company details are correct. In the US, most states require a similar “Annual Report.” Forgetting this isn’t a minor oversight. It can lead to fines, a negative mark on your company’s public record, and in a worst-case scenario, Companies House or the state authorities can assume your company is no longer active and strike it from the register—effectively dissolving it without your knowledge.
✅ The Solution: A Proactive Compliance Calendar You shouldn’t have to rely on memory to manage critical legal deadlines. Accelus sets up and manages a dedicated compliance calendar for your business. We track all your annual filing deadlines—for both corporate and tax authorities—and ensure that every requirement is met on time, without fail. We manage the calendar so you can manage the business.
3. The Foundational Error: Sloppy Initial Bookkeeping
The first transactions your new company makes are the most important. How you record that initial founder’s loan, the first client payment, or the purchase of a new laptop sets the precedent for your entire financial system.
The Long-Term Damage: Many founders start with a messy spreadsheet or comingle personal and business expenses, thinking they’ll “clean it up later.” This is a foundational error that is incredibly difficult and expensive to fix. A messy start guarantees a messy, unreliable financial picture, making it impossible to secure funding, pass an audit, or even understand your own profitability.
✅ The Solution: A Flawless Financial Setup The only way to build a scalable, successful business is on a foundation of clean, accurate books. We set up your financial systems correctly from day one. We ensure every transaction is categorized properly, create a clear audit trail, and establish the robust, scalable bookkeeping foundation you need for growth.
From Incorporation to Operation, Seamlessly
The period immediately after incorporation is no time to take your foot off the gas. By handling your registrations, managing your compliance calendar, and establishing flawless bookkeeping from the start, you set the stage for sustainable success.Don’t let administrative hurdles derail your momentum. Let us handle the compliance so you can focus on what you do best: building your new business.
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Ensure you haven’t missed a single step in your post-incorporation journey.
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