CTM60200 | Close companies: tests: control - of a company
From HM Revenue & Customs · Company Taxation Manual
Having determined who is a participator in the company and having ascertained the rights and powers which the participator possesses (or is entitled to acquire or secure) and has attributed to them under to , it is necessary, in order to establish that the company is a close company, to show that it is controlled by:
five or fewer participators, or
participators who are directors,
and is not excluded from being a close company by (d) to (g) of (see to ). A company which is not close by virtue of control by participators may be close under the ‘winding up’ rule (see ).