Companies House Accounts Deadlines: Key Dates You Need to Know
Every UK limited company must file annual accounts with Companies House. Miss the deadline, and you'll face automatic penalties — starting at £150 and rising to £1,500 for seriously late filings.
This guide explains exactly when your accounts are due, what happens if you're late, and how to stay on top of your filing obligations.
When Are Company Accounts Due?
Your filing deadline depends on whether you're a private or public company:
| Company Type | Filing Deadline |
|---|---|
| Private limited company | 9 months after accounting period end |
| Public limited company (PLC) | 6 months after accounting period end |
Example: Standard Deadline
If your accounting period ends on 31 March 2025, your accounts must be filed by 31 December 2025 (9 months later).
First Accounts Deadline
For newly incorporated companies filing their first set of accounts, the rules are slightly different:
- You have 21 months from incorporation to file your first accounts
- The accounts can cover a maximum period of 18 months
How to Find Your Deadline
The easiest way to check your filing deadline is on the Companies House website:
- Go to Find and update company information
- Search for your company name or number
- Look under "Accounts" — your next accounts due date will be shown
What Counts as 'Filed'?
Your accounts are only considered filed when Companies House receives them — not when you send them. This matters because:
- Electronic filing is instant — accounts are received as soon as you submit
- Paper filing relies on postal delivery — allow extra time for postage
- Rejected accounts count as not filed until a corrected version is accepted
Late Filing Penalties
Companies House imposes automatic civil penalties for late filing. There's no warning and no appeal process for simply being late — the penalty is applied as soon as you miss the deadline.
Penalty Amounts for Private Companies
| How Late | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month late | £150 |
| 1 to 3 months late | £375 |
| 3 to 6 months late | £750 |
| Over 6 months late | £1,500 |
Doubled Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Important: If your accounts are filed late in two consecutive years, the penalty is doubled. This means:
- Up to 1 month late: £300
- 1 to 3 months late: £750
- 3 to 6 months late: £1,500
- Over 6 months late: £3,000
Criminal Offences
Beyond the civil penalty, failure to file accounts is also a criminal offence. Directors can be prosecuted, and the company can be struck off the register if accounts remain unfiled.
Can I Appeal a Late Filing Penalty?
Companies House will only accept appeals in genuinely exceptional circumstances — and their threshold is very high. The following are NOT valid reasons for appeal:
- Pressure of work or being too busy
- Relying on an accountant who didn't deliver
- Illness (unless it prevented all action for the entire 9-month period)
- Not receiving a reminder letter
- Computer problems or software issues
- Postal delays
- A documented serious illness or bereavement at a critical time
- An unforeseen catastrophic event (fire, flood) destroying records immediately before the deadline
How to Avoid Late Filing
Here are practical steps to ensure you never miss your deadline:
1. Know Your Deadline Early
As soon as your accounting period ends, calculate your filing deadline and put it in your calendar. Better yet, set multiple reminders: at 6 months, 3 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks before.
2. Use the Companies House Reminder Service
Companies House offers free email reminders. Sign up at their website to receive notifications before your deadline.
3. Prepare Accounts Promptly
Don't wait until month 8 to start preparing. Aim to have your accounts ready at least one month before the deadline, giving you buffer time for unexpected issues.
4. File Electronically
Electronic filing is instant and confirmed. Paper filing means trusting the postal service and hoping Companies House processes your submission in time.
With TinyTax, you can prepare and file your accounts electronically in one session — no printing, posting, or waiting.
5. Check for Rejection
After filing, verify that Companies House has accepted your accounts. A rejected filing doesn't count, and you'll need to correct and resubmit. Electronic filing gives you instant feedback.
Deadline Extensions
Companies House can grant filing extensions in certain circumstances, but you must apply before your deadline passes. Extensions are granted for:
- Companies affected by exceptional natural disasters
- Specific government-announced emergency situations
Accounts Deadline vs CT600 Deadline
Don't confuse your Companies House accounts deadline with your HMRC Corporation Tax return (CT600) deadline:
| Filing | Deadline | Filed With |
|---|---|---|
| Annual accounts | 9 months after period end | Companies House |
| CT600 tax return | 12 months after period end | HMRC |
| Corporation tax payment | 9 months + 1 day after period end | HMRC |
Learn more in our CT600 deadlines guide.
What Happens If You Don't File at All?
If you simply never file accounts, the consequences escalate:
- Automatic penalty — charged as soon as the deadline passes
- Warning letters — Companies House writes to directors
- Strike-off proceedings — the Registrar can begin action to dissolve the company
- Criminal prosecution — directors can be prosecuted for failing to file
- Company struck off — the company is removed from the register
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday?
Unlike some tax deadlines, Companies House does not extend the deadline to the next working day. If your deadline is a Sunday, you must file by that Sunday. File early to avoid any last-minute issues.
Can I shorten my accounting period to delay my deadline?
No. While you can shorten your accounting period, your deadline is based on the original accounting reference date. Shortening the period gives you less time, not more.
What if I've just bought a dormant company?
If you've purchased a company that was dormant, check when accounts were last filed. The deadline runs from the last accounting reference date, regardless of when you acquired the company.
Are dormant company accounts different?
Dormant companies still have filing obligations, but can file simplified dormant accounts. The deadline is the same — 9 months after the accounting period end.
What if my accountant doesn't deliver on time?
You are responsible, not your accountant. If accounts are late because your accountant didn't deliver, you'll still face the penalty. Ensure you engage your accountant early and chase them well before the deadline.
File On Time with TinyTax
Don't risk late filing penalties. With TinyTax, you can prepare and file your annual accounts to Companies House in minutes — not days.
Generate compliant iXBRL accounts and file electronically, all in one streamlined workflow. Combine with your CT600 Corporation Tax return to complete both filings in a single session.