CIC Guides & Resources
Everything you need to know about setting up and running a Community Interest Company in the UK.
How to Set Up a CIC: Complete UK Guide 2026
Step-by-step guide to setting up a Community Interest Company in the UK. Learn about CIC registration, costs, requirements & set up your CIC in 15 minutes.
How to Pay Yourself as a CIC Director
How director pay works in a CIC - what is allowed, what funders expect, and how PAYE, self-employed invoicing and transparency keep you on the right side of it.
CIC Grants & Funding: Complete Guide to Funding Your CIC
Can CICs apply for grants? Yes! Complete guide to CIC funding sources including National Lottery, trusts, and corporate funders. Plus tips for successful applications.
CIC vs Charity: Which Structure is Right for You?
CIC or charity? Compare tax benefits, setup time, flexibility, and regulation side-by-side. Includes decision checklist and real-world scenarios to help you choose.
CIC vs Ltd: Which Company Type Is Right for Your Social Enterprise?
CIC or limited company? Compare asset locks, profit rules, tax, and reporting side-by-side. A practical guide to choosing the right structure.
CIC36 Form: What to Write, Section by Section
Complete guide to the CIC36 form with examples. Section-by-section walkthrough, 4 real-world templates, common mistakes to avoid, and what the Regulator is looking for.
CIC Annual Requirements: Filing Deadlines & Compliance
Everything you need to know about CIC34 reports, accounts, confirmation statements, and Corporation Tax. Deadlines, penalties, and how to stay compliant.
CIC34 Form: What to Write in Your Annual CIC Report
The four parts of the annual community interest report, with worked wording from a full example, the £15 fee, the deadline, and what gets a report queried.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a CIC?
CIC registration costs £115 online or £139 by post. Full breakdown of setup costs, annual fees, and optional expenses for Community Interest Companies.
CIC Directors: Requirements, Pay & Duties
How many directors does a CIC need? Can they be paid? Learn about CIC director requirements, legal duties, and how to appoint or remove directors.
How to Choose Your CIC Director Structure
How many directors does your CIC need? Decision helper, board structure advice, plus how to add and remove directors at Companies House.
Persons with Significant Control (PSC) for CICs
Who is a PSC in your CIC? Plain English guide to the PSC register, filing requirements, and how to design your CIC for shared control.
Can a CIC Make Profit? CIC Profit Rules Explained
Yes, a CIC can make profit. Learn how Community Interest Companies make money, whether they can pay dividends, and how CIC profit rules work in the UK.
Do CICs Pay Tax? CIC Tax Explained in the UK
Yes - most CICs pay Corporation Tax, may need VAT registration, and cannot usually claim charity tax reliefs like Gift Aid.
What Is the CIC Asset Lock?
The CIC asset lock prevents assets being extracted for private gain. Learn what it means, what's covered, and how it differs from charity restrictions.
How to Register a CIC Online: Step-by-Step
The £115 online service explained: the two PDFs you upload, the auto-generated memorandum, director identity verification, and what happens after you submit.
Community Interest Statement Examples
What the Regulator accepts: the community interest test, the official published example, exact rejection triggers, and worked example wording you can adapt.
How Long Does It Take to Register a CIC?
Online is usually a few working days - there is no same-day service for CICs. Realistic timelines stage by stage, plus what causes delays and rejections.
CIC Name Rules: What Your CIC Can Be Called
The required "CIC" ending, why you never use Ltd, sensitive words like charity, name availability, and how to change your CIC's name later.
CIC Bank Accounts: Which UK Banks Accept CICs?
Not every bank takes CICs. Which banks explicitly welcome them, which refuse, current fees, and what you need to open the account.
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