A [close company](https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/company-taxation-manual/ctm60060) is generally a limited company that’s under the control of five or fewer participators, or any number if those participators are directors. A participator is someone who influences a business and its finances and will often mean shareholder or investor. For example, a company owned and run by the same person is a close company. A company with five shareholders who are also directors will also be a close company. There may be other legal circumstances that make a business a close company.