Can a government agency charge a fee to register my business online?
Governments do charge registration fees, but only through official portals. Unsolicited calls or emails charging for business registration are impersonation scams targeting new entrepreneurs.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Business registration with government companies houses, revenue authorities, or trade registers does involve fees. These are published on the official government website, paid through the official portal, and generate official documentation. The process is initiated by you — the business owner — not by the government contacting you.
Scams targeting new businesses mimic official registration authorities and contact owners shortly after they incorporate, knowing that regulatory compliance is often confusing for new entrepreneurs. They claim a fee is needed to activate a licence, comply with a regulation, or be added to an official directory. The fee is paid to a private company that provides no real benefit.
Some schemes are marketed as optional compliance services (workplace poster suppliers, fake registry inclusions) that imply a regulatory requirement which does not exist. Others outright impersonate official bodies.
Always initiate business compliance actions yourself through official government websites. Treat any unsolicited contact claiming a regulatory fee is due as a potential scam, and verify through official channels before paying.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited contact claiming a registration or compliance fee is outstanding
- Contact arrived shortly after you registered a new company
- Organisation cannot be found on the official government website
- Invoice or demand looks official but has minor design or address discrepancies
- Fee must be paid by wire, gift card, or unusual method
- Threats of deregistration or penalties if not paid immediately
What to do now
- Do not pay without verifying independently
- Check the official companies register website for any genuine outstanding requirements
- Search the organisation name with the word 'scam' to check for known fraud warnings
- Report to your national companies house or business registration authority
- Report to your national fraud or consumer protection authority
- Alert your local chamber of commerce to warn other new businesses
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out what genuine fees I owe for my business?
Log in to the official government business registration portal and check your account for any outstanding requirements. All genuine fees are listed there with payment instructions. Do not rely on invoices that arrive by post or email unless you can verify them against your official account.
Are workplace compliance poster suppliers legitimate?
Most businesses are legally required to display certain notices, but the posters themselves are freely downloadable from the relevant government authority. Firms charging significant fees for mandatory poster subscriptions are selling something you can get for free.