Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what five reasons HMRC has most frequently given in objection to the striking off of a company from the Register of Companies in each tax year since 2012-13; and if he will make a statement.

For reasons of taxpayer confidentially, HM Revenue and Customs does not give Companies House a reason for objecting to the striking off of a company from the Register of Companies. HM Revenue and Customs writes to the company explaining why an objection has been made. The precise reasons can vary from case to case.

Some common reasons are:

• that the company owes money to HM Revenue and Customs;
• that an intervention is being conducted into the Corporation Tax or other tax affairs of the company;
• that a Corporation Tax return is outstanding or
• that there is a linked avoidance case in litigation.