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    Company taken over: what happens to my shares?

    Many takeovers are done through a scheme of arrangement, a procedure supervised by the High Court. Once the court approves it, it binds all shareholders. The buyer pays shareholders in cash, loan notes or shares. To find out what happened to yours, check the filing history, then ask the registrar.

    Do this first: official routes

    1. Find the company and its company number. Old Shares Finder
    2. Check the filing history on Companies House for the takeover. Companies House: find and update company information
    3. Find the registrar. Registrar contact pages
    4. Ask the registrar whether any payment was due to you and whether it was paid.
    5. Check the Takeover watch for companies in our data. Takeover watch

    Tax

    Tax depends on your situation. GOV.UK explains it; we don't give tax advice. GOV.UK: Capital Gains Tax on share reorganisations, takeovers and mergers GOV.UK: HS285 helpsheet collection

    Then use the free finder

    Type the old company name into the Old Shares Finder. It is free and stores nothing.

    Watch out for scams

    Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue about your shares. Never pay upfront to release money. Check any firm on the FCA register. FCA: ScamSmart FCA Financial Services Register

    Questions

    What is a scheme of arrangement?

    It is a procedure supervised by the High Court under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. Once approved and sanctioned by the court, it binds all shareholders.

    Do I still own shares after a takeover?

    Ask the registrar. In a scheme, the buyer pays the shareholders in cash, loan notes or shares, under either a transfer scheme or a cancellation scheme, so what you hold afterwards depends on the deal.

    How do I find out if I was paid?

    Ask the registrar whether any payment was due to you and whether it has been paid. The finder writes that question into its letter for you.

    Do I pay tax on takeover money?

    Tax depends on your situation. GOV.UK explains it; we don't give tax advice.

    Sources

    We don't give advice and we never hold or move money.