Introduction
In the UK, all limited companies – active and dormant – must fulfil annual filing requirements with Companies House and HMRC. These filings, including the Confirmation Statement and annual accounts, provide essential updates and information to Companies House and HMRC about your business’s activities, structure, and finances. Whether your company is actively trading or dormant, knowing what to file and when is crucial. This guide clearly explains each requirement, including deadlines, costs, and the correct filing process.
Key Takeaways
- All UK limited companies must submit annual filings to Companies House and HMRC to stay registered.
- The directors of a company are legally responsible for completing the annual filing requirements.
- Failure to complete the annual filing requirements can result in penalties, including fines.
- Dormant companies are still required to file their annual accounts and confirmation statement.
What are annual filing requirements for limited companies?
Once a limited company has been formed, it must submit several filings each year to remain registered. The two main government bodies these filings need to be submitted to are:
- Companies House – the UK’s registrar of companies, concerned with your company’s information and finances
- HMRC – the UK’s tax authority, concerned with your company’s finances and tax liability
Who is responsible for submitting the filings?
In general terms, the company's directors are responsible for ensuring that all filings are submitted accurately and on time.
What happens if these filings are missed?
Failure to complete the annual filings can lead to multiple consequences, including warnings and penalties being issued. In some cases, the company may be forcibly closed down, and in extreme cases, the directors may be prosecuted.
Confirmation statement
Also known as: Form CS01.
Historically: the annual return or Companies House annual return.
Who it’s submitted to: Companies House.
What is it?
This is one of the simplest annual filing requirements needed. It confirms the following about the company:
- That it’s still required
- Key information, such as business activities and the shareholders
- That all other information registered at Companies House is correct
- That its future activities are lawful
Due date
The confirmation statement deadline is 2 weeks after your company’s “confirmation date”. The confirmation date is usually the anniversary of your company’s incorporation.
Key information included
The following information is reported using the confirmation statement:
- The business’ activities
- Trading status of the shares (if they’re listed on an exchange)
- The company’s share capital
- The company’s shareholders (including any transfers that have taken place)
Filing options
You can file the confirmation statement online, including through a provider like 1st Formations. Companies House charge a filing fee of £34.
Paper filing through the post is also possible, but it costs more. It’s also not recommended due to the longer processing times and greater chances of rejection.
Penalties for late filing
Companies House will start forcibly closing your company if they don’t receive your confirmation statement. In extreme cases, they can also prosecute you for failing your director duties.
Do dormant companies need to file?
Yes. Dormant companies are still required to file a confirmation statement every 12 months.
How 1st Formations can help
Our Confirmation Statement Service handles your confirmation statement every year for just £59.99 +VAT.
Annual accounts
Also known as: Company accounts, statutory accounts, or year-end accounts.
Who it’s submitted to: Companies House and HMRC.
What is it?
A snapshot of your company’s performance over its financial year up to the accounting reference date (ARD). Your ARD is set automatically by Companies House at the time of incorporation.
Due date
- Your first accounts: 21 months after incorporation
- All accounts thereafter: 9 months following the ARD
Key information included
Company accounts will generally include the following:
- Balance sheet: A snapshot of what the company’s owns and owes.
- Profit and loss account: A summary of the company’s income, costs and profits.
- Notes to the accounts: Extra details that explain and support the figures in the accounts.
- Directors’ report: A written overview from the board explaining key aspects of the company’s performance, risks, compliance, and future outlook.
- Strategic report: A broader summary of the company’s objectives, business model, key risks, and performance.
- Auditor’s report: An independent opinion on whether the accounts give an accurate and fair view of the company’s financial position and comply with the law.
Small and micro-entity exemptions
The list of what the accounts include may seem overwhelming. However, the good news is that most small companies don’t need to include every item. While large companies are required to report a comprehensive set of documents, smaller businesses benefit from special exemptions.
Smaller businesses can usually skip certain reports like the strategic report and may not need an audit. Micro-entities have even greater flexibility. They can file abbreviated accounts, which are much shorter and contain only the key financial figures with minimal notes.
Filing options
You can submit your annual accounts online to both Companies House and HMRC.
You can still file paper copies in the post; however, this will soon be discontinued. You are also recommended to submit electronically to reduce the chances of rejection.
Penalties for late filing
You will be automatically fined if your accounts are submitted after the due date. The exact amount will depend on when Companies House receive your accounts.
| How late you file | Automatic penalty |
|---|---|
| Not more than 1 month | £150 |
| More than 1 month but not more than 3 months | £375 |
| More than 3 months but not more than 6 months | £750 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 |
The penalties will double if you file two sets of accounts late in succession.
Additionally, Companies House may forcibly close your company and, in extreme cases, prosecute you.
Do dormant companies need to file?
Yes. Filing annual accounts is still required by Companies House for dormant companies. In many cases, they can submit Dormant Company Accounts. These are far simpler and easier to file, and include a basic balance sheet and notes to the accounts.
How 1st Formations can help
If your company needs to submit dormant company accounts, our annual Dormant Company Accounts Service completes this for just £49.99 +VAT. Your accounts will be submitted accurately and on time each year.
Corporation Tax Return
Also known as: CT Return, Form CT600, and Limited Company Tax Return.
Who it’s submitted to: HMRC.
What is it?
The Corporation Tax Return is the form that companies submit to HMRC to report their profits and calculate the amount of Corporation Tax they owe.
Due date
Your Corporation Tax Return is due 12 months from the end of your accounting period. Your accounting period with HMRC is normally the same as the one you have at Companies House.
However, the due date for paying your Corporation Tax liability is 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period. This means you must have paid your tax bill before submitting your tax return.
Key information included
The Corporation Tax Return includes essential details about your company’s finances for the financial year, including:
- Total income
- Allowable business expenses
- Profit before tax
- Any tax reliefs or deductions claimed
- Calculation of the Corporation Tax owed
Supporting documents, such as the full accounts, must accompany the return. Providing accurate and complete information helps ensure your company pays the right amount of tax and avoids HMRC penalties.
Filing options
Corporation Tax Returns must usually be filed electronically, either through commercial accounting software or HMRC’s online service.
Please note that HMRC’s online filing option is being withdrawn, so companies will need to move to approved software. Paper filing is only permitted in very limited circumstances.
Late penalties
If you file your Corporation Tax Return late, you will receive an automatic penalty, which is calculated on how late the return is received:
| How late you file | Automatic penalty |
|---|---|
| Not more than 1 month | £100 |
| More than 1 month but not more than 3 months | £200 (on top of the original £100) |
| More than 3 months but not more than 6 months | HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will estimate your Corporation Tax bill and add a penalty of 10% the unpaid tax |
| More than 6 months | Another 10% of any unpaid tax |
If you submit your return late three times in a row, the initial £100 penalty increases to £500, and the second penalty rises from £200 to £1,000.
You will also be penalised if you are late paying your Corporation Tax bill – this comes in the form of interest on the overdue amount.
Do dormant companies need to file?
No, but only if you tell HMRC that you are dormant for Corporation Tax purposes.
If you do not tell HMRC you are dormant for their purposes, they will still expect you to deliver your Corporation Tax Return. Failure to do so will result in the same penalties outlined above.
Value-Added Tax (VAT) Return
Also known as: VAT Return.
Who it’s submitted to: HMRC.
What is it?
A VAT Return is a form that businesses submit to HMRC to report the VAT they've charged and paid, and to calculate what they owe or can reclaim.
Any company that’s VAT-registered (which is compulsory for companies earning more than £90,000 taxable turnover in a 12-month period) must register with HMRC for VAT and submit returns.
Due date
VAT Returns are normally due 1 month and 7 days following the end of your VAT accounting period. Each VAT accounting period typically covers 3 months (quarterly).
The payment deadline for the VAT you owe is the same. This is unlike Corporation Tax Returns, which are due on a different date.
Key information included
A VAT Return shows HMRC:
- How much VAT your business has charged on sales
- How much VAT you’ve paid on purchases
- How much VAT, if anything, you owe or due to be refunded
Filing options
All VAT-registered businesses must file their VAT Returns online, typically through compatible accounting software that adheres to Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules. You can no longer submit VAT Returns through the HMRC website unless you’re exempt from MTD. Businesses with approved exemptions may still be allowed to file by post.
Late penalties
If you submit your VAT Return late, HMRC will give you a penalty point. This happens for each return you submit late.
Once you reach the penalty point threshold (4, if you file quarterly), you'll be charged a £200 penalty. Every additional late return while you're at the threshold triggers another £200 fine. You can check how many points you’ve built up through your VAT online account.
Separate penalties may also apply if your VAT payment is late.
Do dormant companies need to file?
No. If your company is dormant and not registered for VAT, then you do not need to submit VAT Returns to HMRC.
How 1st Formations can help
Need to register your company for VAT? Check out our VAT Registration Service for just £39.99 +VAT.
Annual filing requirement summary
A quick summary of the annual filing requirements UK limited companies must submit:
| Filing | Who it’s submitted to | Role | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmation statement | Companies House | Confirms key company details, such as shareholders and business activities. | 2 weeks after the confirmation date. |
| Annual accounts | Companies House and HMRC | Shows a snapshot of the company’s financial activity over the previous year. | First accounts: 21 months after incorporation All other accounts: 9 months from the end of the accounting period. |
| Corporation Tax Return | HMRC | Reports your company’s profits and calculates how much Corporation Tax it owes to HMRC. | Payment: 9 months and 1 day from the end of the accounting period Filing: 12 months from the end of the accounting period. |
| VAT Return | HMRC | Summarises VAT charged and paid, showing how much is owed to or reclaimable from HMRC. | 1 month and 7 days from the end of the VAT return period. |
Stay compliant from day one by registering with 1st Formations
The best way to stay on top of your company’s annual filing requirements and other legal obligations is to start with the right support. Register your limited company with 1st Formations and establish a foundation for long-term compliance and success.
Nicholas Campion
Nicholas is Director, Company Secretarial at 1st Formations, responsible for completing the company’s statutory filings and ensuring all the company secretarial department is fully trained on company law and company secretarial procedures. Nick is also Company Secretary for the BSQ Group and all subsidiary brands, an accredited industry leader and a Companies Act 2006 specialist.
