An Irish LTD can give a contractor a separate business identity, clearer ownership and limited liability, but it also creates director, payroll, tax, accounting and annual filing responsibilities. The cheapest decision is the structure that fits the actual engagement rather than the smallest incorporation fee.
StartCompany.ie’s €240 total Basic package provides a low-cost professional route to form a straightforward contractor company with the CRO fee and core documents included.
Check the working relationship first
A company invoice does not by itself turn employment into self-employment. Control, substitution, integration, financial risk and the practical working arrangement all matter. Clients and contractors should review the current Revenue and Department of Social Protection framework.
Where the relationship is genuinely business-to-business, the company should sign the contract and hold appropriate professional indemnity, public liability or sector insurance.
Formation costs versus annual costs
The €240 Basic package makes the initial incorporation predictable. Ongoing costs may include bookkeeping, annual accounts, corporation tax returns, payroll submissions, VAT returns, insurance and the CRO annual return.
Estimate these before comparing company income with sole-trader income. A low formation fee is useful, but it should not disguise the recurring administration of a separate legal entity.
- Company formation and CRO filing.
- Accountant and bookkeeping software.
- Director payroll where applicable.
- VAT and relevant-contracts-tax obligations where applicable.
- Annual return, accounts and insurance.
Use a simple company structure
Many one-person contractor companies need only ordinary shares and one shareholder. The sole director must appoint a separate secretary, and the registered office must be a physical Irish address capable of receiving official correspondence.
Keep company and personal funds separate from the first payment. Record expenses and director transactions accurately rather than trying to reconstruct them at year end.
Choose support based on your paperwork
Basic can suit a contractor with officers, address and identity numbers ready. Standard includes IPN help and the first annual return. Premium may suit a founder who also needs the professional registered office and broader secretarial support.
StartCompany.ie explains the package scope before purchase. Tax outcomes, client classification and regulated advice remain matters for the appropriate accountant or legal adviser.
StartCompany.ie service
Basic Company Formation
Current listed price: €240 total
Official information and next steps
StartCompany.ie provides preparation and filing support for the service described above. Final acceptance, registration, tax treatment or court approval remains with the relevant authority. Check the current official guidance before acting, particularly where a deadline, tax position, dispute or unusual transaction is involved.