When Are Companies House Accounts Due? (9-Month Deadline Explained)

Private companies must file their Companies House accounts within 9 months of the accounting period end date. This guide explains how that deadline is calculated — including the month-to-month rule that catches many directors off guard.

The Basic Rule

For a private limited company, the deadline for filing accounts with Companies House is:

> 9 calendar months after the last day of your accounting period

For example:

How to Check Your Deadline

Your filing deadline is shown on your TinyTax dashboard next to each period. If the deadline has passed, the period will appear in red.

You can also find your deadline on the Companies House register by looking up your company and checking the Filing history or Overview tab.

Common Questions

My period ends on 30 June — is 31 March on time?

Yes. The deadline for a 30 June period end is 31 March. Companies House applies the last-day-of-month rule: since June ends on the 30th (the last day of June), the 9-month deadline falls on 31 March (the last day of March). A filing submitted on 31 March is on time.

How do I know my accounts were received?

When TinyTax submits your accounts, you will receive a confirmation email once Companies House accepts them. The status in your TinyTax dashboard will also update to Accepted. Companies House typically processes electronic filings within a few hours.

What if my accounting reference date is unusual (e.g., mid-month)?

If your period ends on, say, 15 July, then 9 months later is 15 April. The month-to-month rule only applies when the period ends on the last day of a month.

Can I appeal a late filing penalty?

Yes, but Companies House only waives penalties in exceptional circumstances (for example, fire, flood, or a serious illness of the person responsible for filing). Being unaware of the deadline is not accepted as a reason. If you believe you have grounds, you can appeal in writing to Companies House.