Late filing penalties at Companies House
What a late set of accounts costs a private company, and what to do next.
At a glance
- Up to 1 month late: £150
- 1 to 3 months: £375
- 3 to 6 months: £750
- Over 6 months: £1,500
The penalty amounts
| How late the accounts are | Penalty for a private company |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | £150 |
| 1 to 3 months | £375 |
| 3 to 6 months | £750 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 |
These penalties are charged to the company by Companies House. They apply automatically once the deadline passes.
When the penalty doubles
If the company files its accounts late two years in a row, the penalty is doubled the second time. A first offence at over six months costs £1,500, but a repeat can be much higher.
That is why filing late once is a warning. Getting back on schedule protects you from the doubled amount.
Who is responsible
The directors are responsible for filing on time, even when an accountant helps. The penalty is charged to the company, and Companies House can take further action if accounts stay unfiled for a long time.
If you have an accountant, agree who is watching the dates. We set up every deadline when you order.
What to do if your accounts are late
File as soon as possible, because the penalty rises with time. Our late accounts filing service prepares and files quickly. If you are many months or years behind, see our overdue accounts filing service.
Can you appeal a penalty?
You can appeal to Companies House if you had a reasonable excuse, such as serious illness or an event outside your control. Reasons such as lack of records or relying on someone else are not usually accepted.
If you plan to appeal, file the accounts first. Appeals are not considered while accounts are still outstanding.
How to avoid penalties in future
Work out your dates with the deadline calculator, send your records early and let us handle the filing. Read the filing deadlines guide for every date.
Related services and tools
Next steps for your company.
Penalty FAQs
Straight answers to common questions.
How much is the Companies House late filing penalty?
For a private company: £150, £375, £750 or £1,500, depending on how late the accounts are.
Does the penalty double?
Yes. It doubles if the company is late two years running.
Can I appeal a penalty?
You can appeal with a reasonable excuse. Many reasons are not accepted.
Can I just ignore the penalty?
No. Penalties can be collected and the company may eventually be struck off. Filing late accounts is better than leaving them.
Does the penalty go away if I file late accounts?
No. The penalty applies once the deadline has passed, but filing stops it from growing.
Got a late filing penalty?
File your accounts now to stop it getting bigger.