Companies House Software-Only Filing 2027: Complete Guide
From 1 April 2027, Companies House will require all UK companies to file their annual accounts using commercial software. The free WebFiling service for accounts will close permanently.
What's Changing
Before April 2027
- File accounts through Companies House WebFiling (free)
- File paper accounts (free, takes longer)
- Use commercial software (optional)
- File abridged accounts (reduced disclosure)
After April 2027
- Software-only filing — WebFiling for accounts closes
- No paper filing — Paper accounts no longer accepted
- No abridged accounts — Must file full accounts for company size
- Mandatory iXBRL — All accounts must be tagged
Who's Affected
All UK companies, including:
- Micro-entity companies
- Small companies
- Medium and large companies
- Dormant companies
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Charitable companies
- LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships)
The Technical Requirements
iXBRL Format
All accounts filed from April 2027 must be in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language) format:
- Machine-readable tags embedded in accounts
- Enables automated data extraction
- Validates financial information
- Good software generates this automatically
Software Validation
Before accepting accounts, Companies House systems will:
- Validate iXBRL tags
- Check mathematical accuracy
- Verify required information is present
- Confirm accounts match filing type (micro, small, etc.)
New Disclosure Requirements
Micro-Entities
| Before | After April 2027 |
|---|---|
| Balance sheet only | Balance sheet AND profit and loss |
| Abridged option | Full disclosure for micro size |
| Limited notes | Standard notes required |
Small Companies
| Before | After April 2027 |
|---|---|
| Filleted accounts option | Full accounts required |
| Abbreviated balance sheet | Full balance sheet |
| Optional P&L | Mandatory P&L |
| Abbreviated directors' report | Full directors' report |
What This Means in Practice
More Public Information
Your company's financial information will be more visible on the Companies House register:
- Profit and loss account (previously optional for micros)
- Full balance sheet detail
- Detailed notes to accounts
Choosing Software
You need software that:
- Generates iXBRL accounts
- Submits electronically to Companies House
- Supports your company size (micro, small, etc.)
- Ideally also handles HMRC CT600 filing
Cost Considerations
Free options:
- TinyTax — Free for micro-entity accounts
- TaxCalc, IRIS, Sage — £100–£300+/year
- Or use an accountant
Timeline for Preparation
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Now | Understand new requirements |
| 2026 | Choose and set up software |
| Early 2027 | Test software with accounts preparation |
| 1 April 2027 | WebFiling closes |
| Your year end + 9 months | File using software |
What Stays Available
Companies House WebFiling continues for:
- Confirmation statements (annual returns)
- Director appointments/changes
- Registered office changes
- Share capital changes
- Other statutory filings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dormant companies still file simple accounts?
Yes, but through software. The accounts format stays simple, but the filing method changes.What if I've always filed paper accounts?
You'll need to switch to software. Paper filing for accounts ends completely.Is there any way to keep filing through WebFiling?
No. The change is mandatory under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.Will filing be harder with software?
Not necessarily. Good software guides you through the process and catches errors before submission.What about late filing penalties?
Unchanged. Filing late still incurs penalties regardless of filing method.How TinyTax Helps
TinyTax offers free accounts filing for micro-entities:
- Automatic iXBRL generation
- Guided accounts preparation
- Direct Companies House submission
- Also handles HMRC CT600
Summary
- Companies House WebFiling for accounts closes 1 April 2027
- All companies must use software to file accounts
- Paper filing ends completely
- Abridged accounts abolished — more disclosure required
- Free software options like TinyTax are available
Prepare for software-only filing. TinyTax offers free accounts filing for micro-entities. Create your account →