Are you running a limited company in the UK? Filing company accounts is an important legal responsibility. Most UK companies must prepare and file accounts with Companies House, including many small, micro-entity and dormant companies. However, the requirements vary depending on the company’s circumstances. You are probably thinking about how to file company accounts in the UK?
This guide explains everything you need to know about company accounts filing, including small company accounts filing, micro-entity accounts filing, and dormant company accounts. It explains how to file company accounts, company accounts filing deadlines, and the main requirements for UK private limited companies.
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What Are Company Accounts?
Company accounts, also known as statutory accounts and annual accounts, are financial statements prepared from a company’s accounting records at the end of its financial year.
Depending on your company’s size and circumstances, company accounts may include:
- A balance sheet that shows the company’s assets and liabilities.
- A profit and loss account that shows the company’s income, expenses and profit or loss.
- Notes to the accounts.
- An auditor’s report, where applicable.
- A directors’ report, where required.
Companies must prepare accounts in accordance with the relevant accounting requirements. Micro-entities and small companies may qualify for simplified accounts and filing options.
Who Needs to File Company Accounts?
Before discussing how to file company accounts in the UK, it is crucial to know who needs to file accounts with Companies House.
Most UK companies, including dormant companies, must file annual accounts with Companies House. The filing requirements depend on the company’s size, status, and eligibility for exemptions.
Small Companies
For accounting periods beginning on or after 6 April 2025, a company qualifies as small if it meets at least two of these conditions:
- Annual turnover of no more than £15 million.
- Balance sheet total of no more than £7.5 million.
- No more than 50 employees on average.
Eligible small companies may benefit from simplified accounts and certain filing or audit exemptions.
Micro-entities
For accounting periods beginning on or after 6 April 2025, a company usually qualifies as a micro-entity if it meets at least two of these conditions:
- Annual turnover of no more than £1 million.
- Balance sheet total of no more than £500,000.
- No more than 10 employees on average.
Eligible micro-entities can prepare simpler accounts and benefit from certain filing and audit exemptions.
Note: The two-year rule may apply when determining company size in subsequent financial years, and some companies are excluded from these simplified regimes.
Dormant Companies
While understanding how to file company accounts in the UK, some businesses often assume that dormant companies don’t need to file company accounts.
Typically, a company is dormant for Companies House if it has had no significant accounting transactions during the financial year. HMRC assesses Corporation Tax dormancy separately.
Dormant companies must file annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House. Eligible companies can file simpler dormant accounts without a profit and loss account or directors’ report.
For more details on Companies House dormancy, visit the official Companies House website.
How to File Company Accounts in the UK
If you want to know how to file company accounts, the process generally involves these steps.
1. Keep Accurate Accounting Records
Keep complete records such as sales and purchase records, receipts, invoices, payroll records, bank statements, and details of the company’s assets and liabilities.
2. Determine Which Accounts You Need
Your filing requirements depend on your company’s size and circumstances. For instance, qualifying micro-entities and dormant companies may be eligible for simpler accounts.
3. Prepare the Statutory Accounts
Prepare your annual accounts according to the applicable accounting requirements. Statutory accounts generally include a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes, although the information required can vary depending on the company’s size and available exemptions.
4. Get the Accounts Approved
The next step in how to file company accounts in the UK is to get the accounts. The directors must approve the accounts before they are filed. The balance sheet must include the required director’s name and be signed by a director.
5. File with Companies House
Submit your accounts by the applicable deadline. You can file eligible accounts online or by post. You will need your company authentication code for online filing.
6. File your Company Tax Return Separately
An important step of how to file company accounts in the UK is to ensure to file your company tax return separately.
Note that Companies House accounts and your HMRC Company Tax Return are separate requirements. If HMRC issues your company a notice to deliver a Company Tax Return, you must file it with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Corporation Tax calculation is based on taxable profits, which can differ from the profit shown in your accounts.
From 1 April 2026, Company Tax Returns must be filed using commercial software. Paper filing is allowed only in limited circumstances, such as having a reasonable excuse or filing in Welsh.
Are Company Tax Returns Different From Company Accounts?
While understanding how to file company accounts in the UK, companies often confuse company accounts with company tax returns.
Company accounts and Company Tax Returns are two completely different legal obligations submitted to two different government bodies. Company accounts are the official financial reports that show a business’s financial activity and overall health over 12 months. These are filed with Companies House.
On the other hand, a Company Tax Return is a financial document that limited companies and associations submit to HMRC. Usually, company tax returns are due 12 months after the Corporation Tax accounting period ends.
How to Register for Corporation Tax?
Now that you understand how to file company accounts in the UK, let’s discuss how you can register for Corporation Tax.
For a UK limited company, Corporation Tax registration is usually handled when you register the company with Companies House. You can choose to set up Corporation Tax at the same time.
If you did not set it up during incorporation, you can add Corporation Tax services to your HMRC business tax account using your company’s 10-digit UTR.
A company that becomes active for Corporation Tax purposes must tell HMRC within 3 months of starting its accounting period.
What is the Corporation Tax Return Filing Deadline?
A company’s Corporation Tax Return is generally due 12 months after the end of its Corporation Tax accounting period. The return must be filed with HMRC, even if the company has made a loss or has no Corporation Tax to pay, if HMRC has issued a notice to deliver a return.
The deadline for paying Corporation Tax is separate. For most companies, payment is due 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period.
What is the Companies House Accounts Filing Deadline?
After understanding how to file company accounts in the UK, the next step is to know the filing deadline.
For most private limited companies, the company accounts filing deadline is 9 months after the end of the accounting reference period.
However, a limited company’s first accounts generally have a different deadline, and they must be filed within 21 months of incorporation when they cover more than 12 months.
Do Small Companies Need to File Accounts?
Yes, small companies in the UK must file annual accounts with Companies House.
However, qualifying small companies may be eligible for simpler accounts and audit exemption, subject to the relevant conditions. You should check whether you qualify as a small company or micro-entity before preparing and filing your accounts.
What Happens If Company Accounts Are Filed Late?
Knowing how to file company accounts in the UK and the key deadlines, and still filing late is an irresponsible act that may result in penalties.
Companies House can impose an automatic late filing penalty when you file accounts after the deadline. The penalty depends on how late the accounts are filed.
Moreover, repeated failure to meet filing requirements can also lead to further action, including possible strike-off from the Companies House register in serious circumstances.
How to Avoid Common Company Accounts Filing Mistakes?
To reduce common filing errors, you need to follow these instructions:
- Maintain accurate accounting records throughout the year.
- Check your filing deadline as it depends on your accounting reference period.
- Use the correct accounts format. Requirements vary according to your company’s size and circumstances.
- Review income, expenses, liabilities, assets, and other information carefully.
- Remember HMRC deadlines and keep in mind that Companies House accounts and Corporation Tax obligations are separate.
- File early as it can allow enough time to review and correct any errors before the deadline.
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Conclusion
Knowing how to file company accounts in the UK can help you meet your Companies House filing obligations.
Most private companies must file annual accounts, usually within 9 months of the end of their accounting reference period. However, Corporation Tax filing and payment deadlines with HMRC are separate.
Additionally, requirements can vary for micro-entities, small companies and dormant companies. Therefore, you should check the latest Companies House and HMRC guidance before filing.
Need an accountant or tax adviser to help prepare and file your accounts? MicroEntityAccounts is here to help. We can help you maintain and review accounting records, prepare statutory accounts and Corporation Tax returns, and file accounts and tax returns using the appropriate software. Get a quote today!
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Disclaimer: The content provided on Micro-Entity Accounts, including our blog and articles, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, accounting, or legal advice.
