What Is a PSC (and Why Getting It Wrong Can Cause Problems)

If you run a limited company, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the term PSC and thought something along the lines of: “Yes yes, I’ll deal with that later.”

Totally understandable — but PSCs are one of those Companies House requirements that are easy to overlook and surprisingly easy to get wrong.

Let’s break it down in plain English.

What Does PSC Actually Mean?

PSC stands for Person with Significant Control.

In simple terms, a PSC is someone who has real influence or control over a company — even if they’re not involved in day‑to‑day operations.

Companies House requires every UK limited company to:

• Identify who its PSCs are
• Keep a PSC register
• Report PSC details accurately and keep them up to date

No guessing, no “we’ll sort it next year” — this is a legal requirement.

Who Counts as a PSC?

A person is usually classed as a PSC if they meet any of the following conditions:

• They own more than 25% of the company’s shares
• They hold more than 25% of the voting rights
• They can appoint or remove the majority of directors
• They otherwise have significant influence or control over the company

PSCs can be:

• Individuals
• Other companies
• Trusts or partnerships

And yes — it’s possible to have more than one PSC.

What Information Needs to Be Reported?

For each PSC, Companies House needs details such as:

• Name and date of birth
• Nationality and country of residence
• Service address
• Nature and extent of control
• Date they became a PSC

This information is reported publicly (with some personal details protected), so accuracy really matters.

Why Getting PSC Details Wrong Is a Big Deal

This is where people often get caught out.

If PSC information is missing, incorrect, or out of date, Companies House can:

• Reject filings
• Issue financial penalties
• Take enforcement action against the company and its officers

In more serious cases, failure to comply can even be treated as a criminal offence.

It can also cause practical headaches, including:

• Delays with confirmation statements
• Problems opening business bank accounts
• Issues during due diligence if you’re selling or raising investment

In short: it’s not just a tick‑box exercise.

Common PSC Mistakes We See

Some of the most common issues include:

• Assuming shareholders and PSCs are always the same (they’re not)
• Forgetting to update PSC details after share transfers or restructures
• Not realising indirect control still counts
• Leaving old PSCs on the register long after they’ve left

These mistakes are easy to make — but they can be costly to fix later.

What About ID Verification?

With recent Companies House reforms, PSCs will also need to complete ID verification.

That means PSC information must be:

• Correct
• Up to date
• Linked to a verified individual or entity

Yet another reason to make sure everything is in order sooner rather than later.

How FileTaxGo Can Help

At FileTaxGo, we help companies stay compliant without the stress by:

• Identifying who your PSCs actually are
• Reviewing and correcting PSC registers
• Keeping Companies House filings accurate and on time

A quick review now can save a lot of hassle (and awkward letters) later.

If you’re not 100% confident that your PSC details are correct, it’s worth checking. Companies House is paying closer attention than ever —

and this is one area where “close enough” really isn’t enough.

If in doubt, get advice early and keep things clean from the start.