Free business debt help for limited company directors
If your limited company is in debt, there are places to call that charge nothing for their help, before you pay anyone. Business Debtline is a debt advice charity run by the Money Advice Trust, on 0800 197 6026, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. If the company has missed a tax payment, HMRC has its own line for each tax, starting with Corporation Tax on 0300 200 3840. A helpline can explain your options. It cannot run a formal insolvency process for the company: only a licensed insolvency practitioner can do that. Business Debtline; gov.uk Payment problems: enquiries
Information only, based on gov.uk and Business Debtline guidance, not reviewed by an insolvency practitioner.
Free help for a limited company in debt
None of these services charges for its help or sells insolvency work. Business Debtline's 0800 number is a freephone number. HMRC's 0300 numbers are not free to call: gov.uk gives up to 10p a minute from landlines and 3p to 40p from mobiles for 030 numbers, and they may be included in your call package (gov.uk, Call charges). The HMRC numbers and hours were checked on gov.uk on 1 November 2026.
| Service | Who it is for | Phone | Hours | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Debtline (Money Advice Trust, registered charity 1099506, as stated on businessdebtline.org) | Small businesses and self-employed people. It publishes a guide for limited companies in England and Wales | 0800 197 6026 | Phone: Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Webchat: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | businessdebtline.org |
| HMRC Corporation Tax payment line | A company that has missed a Corporation Tax payment | 0300 200 3840 | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed bank holidays | gov.uk |
| HMRC VAT payment line | A business that has missed a VAT payment | 0300 200 3831 | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed bank holidays | gov.uk |
| HMRC employer's PAYE payment line | An employer that has missed a PAYE payment | 0300 200 3819 | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed bank holidays | gov.uk |
What a helpline can and cannot do for a limited company
Business Debtline says its advisers "will explain your rights, options and the best solution for you", and its limited companies guide covers budgets, cash flow, moratoriums, CVAs, liquidation and strike off. It also says: "Some things about limited companies are complicated. You may need to speak to a solicitor or insolvency practitioner about certain issues." HMRC's lines are for the tax the company owes. HMRC is the creditor there: it "will check if a payment plan is affordable", and if you cannot agree one, "they'll ask you to pay the amount you owe in full" (gov.uk). See Time to Pay arrangements.
No helpline can put the company into liquidation or administration, or act as supervisor of a CVA. Only a licensed insolvency practitioner can take those roles (Insolvency Act 1986, section 388).
Some phone lines that call themselves business debt helplines are run by firms that are paid for insolvency work. Ask who runs a line and how it is paid before you rely on what it tells you.
When to speak to a licensed insolvency practitioner instead
Taking advice early, once creditor pressure starts, may give the company more options. Speak to a licensed insolvency practitioner as soon as a debt goes to enforcement, because a winding-up petition may follow, or as soon as you know a petition has been issued. Agree any payment plan with HMRC before then: HMRC "will check if a payment plan is affordable", and if you cannot agree one, "they'll ask you to pay the amount you owe in full" (gov.uk). Check any practitioner on the Insolvency Service register first, and see how to choose an insolvency practitioner.
Common questions
Is there a free helpline for business debt?
Yes. Business Debtline is a free debt advice charity for small businesses and self-employed people, on 0800 197 6026, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. If the company has missed a tax payment, HMRC has its own payment lines, such as Corporation Tax on 0300 200 3840. HMRC numbers checked 1 November 2026.
Does Business Debtline help limited companies, or only sole traders?
Its advisers describe themselves as "experts in being self-employed", but it also publishes a guide for limited companies in England and Wales and tells directors who are unsure what to do to "contact us for advice". It has a separate guide for Scotland.
Can a helpline stop a winding-up petition?
No. A helpline can explain your options, but it cannot act for the company in court or in a formal insolvency process. If a petition has been issued, speak to a licensed insolvency practitioner or a solicitor straight away. See winding-up petitions.
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