Businesses.ie

Editorial

Guides & articles

Practical guides to Irish company data, CRO filings, compliance deadlines, and business research.

Irish Business Cost Guides

6 articles

Irish Home & Holiday Checks

3 articles

Company Checks & Buying Decisions

3 articles

Irish Company Checks Across Europe

5 articles

Irish CRO Search for UK Readers

2 articles

Buyer & Renter Verification

2 articles

Company Discovery & Industry Research

2 articles

Irish Local Marketplace Guides

2 articles

Financial Risk & Performance

5 articles

Licensed & Regulated Business Checks

5 articles

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis

5 articles

Financial & Credit Checks

5 articles

Regulated Business Verification

3 articles

Corporate Structures & Transactions

2 articles

Verification Guides

3 articles

Financial Statements & Liquidity

6 articles

Company Identity & Legal Checks

6 articles

Due Diligence & Risk

5 articles

Company Reports & Search

9 articles

How to Transfer Shares in an Irish Company

Learn how to transfer shares in an Irish private company, including stock-transfer documents, Stamp Duty, board approval, registers and CRO disclosure.

13 Aug 202614 min read
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How to Allot New Shares in an Irish Company

Learn how an Irish company allots new shares, files Form B5 within 30 days, handles pre-emption and dilution, and updates company and RBO records.

13 Aug 202613 min read
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How to Register Beneficial Ownership in Ireland

Understand Irish RBO registration, the five-month deadline, beneficial-owner tests, internal registers, filing updates and common ownership mistakes.

13 Aug 202614 min read
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How to Change an Irish Company’s Financial Year-End

Change an Irish company’s financial year-end using Form B83. Understand the 18-month cap, five-year rule, on-time return requirement and ARD interaction.

13 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Verify an Irish Company’s Tax Clearance

Verify an Irish company’s current tax-clearance status through ROS using its TCAN and Tax Reference Number, then combine the result with wider due diligence.

13 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Get a CRO Letter of Status in Ireland

Learn how to order an Irish CRO Letter of Status or Certificate of Good Standing through CORE, when it is used and what it does not prove.

13 Aug 202611 min read
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How to Change an Irish Company Name

Change an Irish company name using Form G1Q. Learn the resolution, constitution, CRO fees, approval rules and post-certificate update checklist.

12 Aug 202614 min read
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How to Register a Business Name in Ireland

Register an Irish business or trading name using RBN1, RBN1A or RBN1B. Check the one-month deadline, CRO fees and legal-name rules.

12 Aug 202613 min read
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How to Voluntarily Strike Off an Irish Company

Learn the Irish voluntary strike-off process: H15 eligibility, Revenue letter, newspaper notice, CRO Gazette timeline and common filing mistakes.

12 Aug 202614 min read
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CRO Compliance Guides

7 articles

How to Change a Registered Office Address in Ireland

Change an Irish company’s registered office using Form B2. Learn the 14-day CRO deadline, address rules, ROA details and checks after filing.

12 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Check Irish Company Share Capital

Learn how to check Irish company share capital, understand authorised and issued shares, and avoid confusing capital with ownership, cash or value.

6 Aug 202611 min read
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What to Check Before Signing a Contract With an Irish Company

Check an Irish company before signing a contract: verify the legal entity, CRO status, filings and accounts, then confirm current evidence.

6 Aug 202613 min read
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First Annual Return vs First Financial Statements: Irish Company Timeline

Understand an Irish company’s first annual return, first financial statements and key filing dates. Learn why the first B1 does not include accounts.

4 Aug 202612 min read
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What to Check About a Company Before Chasing an Unpaid Invoice

Before chasing an unpaid Irish company invoice, verify the legal entity, public status, filings and supporting documents—then seek appropriate recovery advice.

4 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Research an Irish Competitor Using CRO Filings and Accounts

Research an Irish competitor using CRO filings and accounts: compare public company history, status and financial context without overreaching.

4 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Check an Irish Contractor or Subcontractor Before Hiring Them

Check an Irish contractor or subcontractor before hiring: verify the legal entity, review CRO records and use contract, insurance and payment controls.

4 Aug 202613 min read
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Company Search & Verification

6 articles

Company Formation & Types

6 articles

More Guides

43 articles

How to Check an Irish Company’s CRO Filing History

Check an Irish company’s CRO filing history and understand B1, B2, B10, accounts, charges and status notices before making a business decision.

4 Aug 202613 min read
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What Does “Strike-Off Listed” Mean for an Irish Company?

Learn what Strike-Off Listed means on an Irish company record, how it differs from Struck Off or Dissolved, what to verify and why urgent action may be needed.

4 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Check Whether an Irish Company Has Filed Its Latest Accounts

Check whether an Irish company filed its latest accounts. Find the newest CRO financial statements, read key dates and identify missing or overdue records.

4 Aug 202612 min read
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Are Irish Company Accounts Public? What You Can See Online

Learn which Irish company accounts are public, what is free on CRO CORE, what documents cost and why some companies show limited financial statements.

4 Aug 202611 min read
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How to Check if an Irish Company Is in Liquidation, Receivership or Examinership

Check whether an Irish company is in liquidation, receivership or examinership using CRO status, filings and Gazette notices, and understand each process.

3 Aug 202613 min read
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How to Check if an Irish Company Director Is Restricted or Disqualified

Use the CRO register to check restricted and disqualified directors in Ireland, understand the difference, verify identity and assess an appointment.

3 Aug 202612 min read
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Irish CRO Documents Explained: B1, B2, B10, C1 and Company Accounts

Understand Irish CRO forms and filings: B1 annual returns, company accounts, B2 and B10 changes, share forms, charges and satisfaction documents.

1 Aug 202613 min read
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Irish Company Report vs Credit Report: Which One Do You Need?

Compare an Irish company report with a specialist credit report. Learn what each includes, when public CRO data is enough and when to add credit intelligence.

1 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Check an Irish Company's Charges, Mortgages and Secured Debt

Check an Irish company's CRO charges, mortgages and satisfactions before offering credit, lending, supplying goods or buying the business.

1 Aug 202612 min read
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How to Find the Shareholders and Beneficial Owners of an Irish Company

Find who owns an Irish company using B1 returns, shareholder lists, the register of members and current RBO access rules.

1 Aug 202612 min read
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Irish Supplier Due Diligence Checklist: Verify a Company Before You Pay

Verify an Irish supplier before signing or paying: check CRO identity, status, directors, filings, finances, charges, VAT, tax clearance and bank details.

29 Jul 202611 min read
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How to Check an Irish Company's Financial Health Before Offering Credit

Assess an Irish company's financial health before offering credit: review accounts, liquidity, net assets, debt, charges, filing signals and practical limits.

29 Jul 202610 min read
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Buying an Irish Company: Due Diligence Checklist Before You Sign

Buying an Irish company? Check CRO records, ownership, finances, charges, tax, contracts, staff, IP, property, disputes and deal protections before signing.

29 Jul 202612 min read
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How to Check an Irish VAT Number: VIES, Revenue and CRO Explained

Check an Irish VAT number using VIES or Revenue, understand invalid results, and learn the difference between VAT, tax registration and CRO numbers.

25 Jul 20268 min read
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How to Get a Certificate of Incorporation in Ireland

Order an Irish certificate of incorporation through CRO CORE, find the original digital certificate and understand certificates versus company reports.

25 Jul 20267 min read
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Does an Irish Company Need a Company Secretary?

Every Irish company needs a secretary. Learn who can act, the single-director LTD rule, core duties, qualifications and how to notify a change using Form B10.

25 Jul 20268 min read
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Best Irish Company Search Websites (2026 Comparison)

The best Irish company search sites compared: Businesses.ie (free), CRO CORE (€3.50/doc), Vision-net, SoloCheck, and OpenCorporates. Which to use and when.

20 May 20266 min read
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Where to Get Irish Company Reports in Ireland

Compare Irish company reports from Businesses.ie, CRO CORE, CRIF/Vision-net, SoloCheck and Irish Formations by price, contents and use case.

18 May 20268 min read
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CRO CORE vs Businesses.ie: Which Is Easier?

CRO CORE is the official filing system (€3.50 per document). Businesses.ie is a free search and reporting interface on top of the same data. When to use each.

16 May 20265 min read
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Vision-net vs SoloCheck vs Businesses.ie

Compare Vision-net, SoloCheck and Businesses.ie by report type, search access, pricing approach and the business checks each service supports.

15 May 20266 min read
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How to Download Irish Company Accounts (CRO Filings)

Download Irish company financial statements from core.cro.ie for €3.50 per filing. Step-by-step guide to finding the latest annual return and accounts.

14 May 20265 min read
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How to File a B1 Annual Return in Ireland (Step-by-Step Guide)

File an Irish B1 annual return through CORE. Understand the €20 fee, 56-day filing window, financial statements and late-filing penalties.

15 Apr 20267 min read
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What Happens If You Miss Your CRO Annual Return Deadline?

A late CRO annual return incurs an initial €100 fee plus €3 per day, capped at €1,200. Learn the current audit-exemption and strike-off consequences.

14 Apr 20268 min read
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How to Find Your Company's Annual Return Date (ARD) in Ireland

Look up an Irish company's ARD on CORE, understand the 56-day filing window and learn when a B1B73 can extend the annual return date.

13 Apr 20265 min read
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CRO Filing Fees in Ireland: Full Breakdown (2026)

Current CRO fees for common forms: €20 B1 annual return, €50 online incorporation, free electronic B2 and B10 filings, and late penalties.

12 Apr 20265 min read
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What Are Abridged Accounts and Does Your Irish Company Need to File Them?

Learn when an Irish small company may file abridged accounts. Current thresholds include €15m turnover, €7.5m balance sheet total and 50 employees.

11 Apr 20266 min read
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How to Change a Company Director in Ireland: CRO Form B10 Guide

Add or remove an Irish company director through CORE using Form B10. Electronic filing is free and the CRO must be notified within 14 days.

10 Apr 20266 min read
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How to Restore a Struck-Off Company in Ireland

Understand administrative and court restoration for an Irish struck-off company, including deadlines, outstanding filings and Revenue requirements.

9 Apr 20267 min read
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How to Check If an Irish Company Is Legitimate

Step-by-step guide to verifying an Irish company: CRO status check, director lookup, filing history review, and red flags to watch for.

8 Apr 20267 min read
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How to Look Up Company Directors in Ireland for Free

Director names, appointment dates, and company associations are public CRO data. Here's how to search them for free using Businesses.ie and CORE.

7 Apr 20265 min read
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How to Read an Irish Company's Financial Statements on the CRO

How to find and interpret Irish company financial data: balance sheet, profit & loss, red flags, and the difference between full and abridged accounts.

6 Apr 20267 min read
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What Does "Company Status: Normal" Mean on the Irish Companies Register?

Explains all CRO company statuses — Normal, Struck Off, Dissolved, In Receivership, In Liquidation, In Examinership — and what each means for doing business.

5 Apr 20265 min read
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How to Check If a Business Name Is Registered in Ireland

Search the CRO register to check if a company or business name is taken. Name reservation costs €25 (28 days). Business name registration (RBN1) costs €40.

4 Apr 20265 min read
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How to Do Due Diligence on an Irish Company: A Practical Guide

Practical due diligence checklist for Irish companies: CRO status, director checks, financial analysis, filing compliance, and tax verification.

3 Apr 20268 min read
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LTD vs DAC vs PLC: Irish Company Types Explained

Clear comparison of LTD, DAC, and PLC company types in Ireland. Minimum directors, share capital, objects clauses, and which to choose for your business.

2 Apr 20267 min read
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What Is a CRO Number and How Do You Find It?

A CRO number is a unique registration number assigned to every Irish company by the Companies Registration Office. It never changes. Here's how to find it.

1 Apr 20264 min read
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What Is a Registered Office Address in Ireland and Why Does It Matter?

Every Irish company must maintain a registered office in Ireland for official notices. Learn the requirements and how to file a free Form B2 change.

31 Mar 20265 min read
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How Many Companies Are Registered in Ireland? (Stats + Breakdown)

Explore Ireland's CRO register: 800,000+ company records, estimated active totals and annual incorporations, broken down by type, county and status.

30 Mar 20266 min read
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The Difference Between a Sole Trader and a Limited Company in Ireland

Sole traders have unlimited liability and pay up to 40% income tax. Limited companies pay 12.5% corporation tax with limited liability. Full comparison.

29 Mar 20267 min read
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What Is a Dormant Company in Ireland and What Are the Filing Obligations?

A dormant company must still file a B1 annual return (€20/year) and CT1 tax return. Failure to file triggers the same penalties as active companies.

28 Mar 20266 min read
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CRO Annual Return Filing Deadlines in Ireland

Key dates, penalties, and filing requirements for Irish company annual returns at the CRO.

15 May 20256 min read
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Irish Company Types: LTD, DAC, PLC, CLG Explained

Clear definitions of every Irish company type — LTD, DAC, PLC, CLG, and UC — with key differences.

1 May 20256 min read
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What Happens When an Irish Company Is Struck Off

What strike-off means, how it happens, and what directors and creditors need to know.

1 Apr 20255 min read
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