Company accounts are the legal record of a limited company’s financial year and mus

to be filed even if the business did not trade. This guide explains how to prepare, submit, and keep compliant with Companies House and HMRC deadlines including the simpler route for dormant companies.

TL;DR

• File annual accounts to Companies House within nine months of your financial year-end; dormant companies file simplified accounts. Missing a deadline can lead to fines and a criminal record for directors.
• Use Companies House WebFiling or an accountant to submit. See for professional help.

Filing & Compliance Basics

All UK limited companies must prepare and file annual accounts to stay legally compliant. Annual accounts are statutory records that summarise a company’s financial position at year-end. Company accounts UK are financial statements, typically including a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes. Example: a small limited company may file abridged accounts or micro-entity accounts to simplify disclosure.

Fact: Directors must file accounts within nine months of the company’s year-end, or face penalties starting at £150 for late filing.

Dormant Companies Definition and Filing

Dormant companies file simpler accounts when they have had no ‘significant’ accounting transactions. Companies House treats a company as dormant if only permitted transactions occur, such as paying filing fees or receiving nominal share capital.

A dormant company has no significant trading activity during the accounting period. Example: a newly incorporated company that hasn’t traded yet or a business on hold.

Tip: Dormant companies still need an annual confirmation statement and may still need to inform HMRC if they were ever registered for Corporation Tax.

How to File Company Accounts at Companies House

Filing accounts to Companies House is a short process if records are ready. Use WebFiling, third-party filing software, or an accountant to submit accounts online.

1. Prepare accounts to the correct standard (micro, small, or full). Micro-entities and dormant companies can use simplified formats.
2. Check the company accounts deadline: nine months after year-end for private limited companies.
3. Submit via Companies House WebFiling or through your accountant. You may also post paper accounts for certain types.

Expert tip: Use automated reminders or a specialist firm to avoid late filings late penalties escalate with the length of delay.

Deadlines, Penalties, and Confirmation Statements

Deadlines are strict and penalties apply automatically. Companies House fines start at £150 and rise steeply for longer delays.

A confirmation statement is a separate annual filing that confirms your company details; the fee is £34 for paper or free online for some filings.

Action: Keep a calendar of your company’s year-end, accounts filing date, and confirmation statement due date to prevent breaches.

Best Company Bank Accounts for Small Businesses

Choosing the right bank account helps keep company accounts clean and audit-ready. Look for low fees, easy transaction categorisation, and integrated accounting app connections.

Examples: Many directors choose accounts with realtime feed to cloud accounting tools. For tailored guidance, see our to compare options and bookkeeping support.

When to Hire an Accountant or Use Specialist Help

Hiring an accountant reduces risk and frees time for running the business. Accountants can prepare statutory accounts, file on your behalf, and advise on dormant status and Corporation Tax responsibilities.

Specialist accountants focus on compliance tasks such as filing at Companies House and submitting Corporation Tax returns to HMRC.

Benefit: Professional support often includes automated reminders and penalty protection, which helps small companies stay in good standing.

Annual Compliance Checklist

• Prepare statutory accounts by your year-end plus nine months.
• File accounts with Companies House (online recommended).
• Submit a confirmation statement annually.
• Check Corporation and file any required returns.
• For dormant companies, confirm no significant transactions and file dormant accounts where eligible.

Understanding Annual Account Requirements in the UK

All UK limited companies are legally required to prepare and submit annual accounts each financial year. These accounts act as an official record of your company’s financial performance and position.

Typical company accounts include a balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and supporting notes. Smaller companies may qualify to submit micro-entity or abridged accounts, which require less detail while still fulfilling statutory obligations.

Important: Directors must ensure the company’s annual accounts are filed within nine months after the accounting year-end. Missing this deadline results in automatic penalties, starting from £150 and increasing for longer delays.

Dormant Companies: Rules and Responsibilities

A dormant company is one that has not carried out any significant financial transactions during the accounting period. In other words, it has not traded, received income, or incurred major expenses.

Companies House considers a company dormant if it only performs permitted transactions, such as paying the filing fee or issuing initial share capital.

Example: A newly incorporated company waiting to begin operations, or one that has paused trading temporarily, qualifies as dormant.

Reminder: Dormant companies still need to file an annual confirmation statement and inform HMRC if they were ever registered for Corporation Tax, even if no trading occurred.

Step-by-Step: How to File Company Accounts

Filing annual accounts becomes simple when records are up to date and properly maintained. Companies can submit accounts through:

• Companies House WebFiling system
• Approved accounting software
• A professional accountant who files on your behalf

Before submission, ensure the accounts are prepared according to the right standard — micro, small, or full accounts — depending on your company’s size and turnover.

The filing deadline for private limited companies is nine months after the end of the financial year. Submissions can be made online or by post, though online filing is faster and more secure.

Pro tip: Set up email reminders or use an accounting service provider to avoid missing deadlines and penalties.

Penalties, Deadlines, and Confirmation Statements

Filing deadlines are strictly enforced by Companies House. Late submissions trigger automatic fines, starting at £150 and increasing the longer you delay.

Besides annual accounts, every company must submit a confirmation statement once a year. This confirms key company details, including registered address, directors, and share structure.

Cost: Paper filing costs £34, while many online submissions are cheaper or free.

Best practice: Keep a record of your year-end date, filing deadline, and confirmation statement due date to stay compliant throughout the year.

Choosing a Suitable Business Bank Account

A well-chosen business bank account makes bookkeeping and financial compliance easier. Look for features such as:

• Low monthly fees
• Automatic transaction categorisation
• Integration with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks

Example: Many small businesses prefer digital banks that provide real-time transaction feeds, improving accuracy when preparing annual accounts and tax returns.

When to Seek Professional Accounting Help

Engaging an accountant or specialist filing service can save time and reduce compliance risks. Professionals handle statutory accounts, manage Companies House submissions, and offer advice on Corporation Tax and dormant status.

Benefit: Expert assistance often includes deadline tracking, penalty protection, and full guidance on HMRC obligations, helping small business owners focus on growth instead of admin.

Summary

Filing company accounts is a legal requirement for every UK limited company, but the process becomes simpler if your company is dormant. Keep clear records, mark key deadlines, and use online filing or a qualified accountant to avoid penalties. For professional support and filing services, see our or consult official guidance.

FAQs

How do I file company accounts with Companies House?

Prepare accounts to the correct format, then submit via Companies House WebFiling or through an accountant; paper filing is possible in some cases.

What happens if I miss the submission deadline for company accounts?

Companies House issues automatic fines that increase with delay; persistent failure may result in director penalties or prosecution.

Do dormant companies need to file accounts every year?

Yes. Dormant companies still file annual accounts and a confirmation statement but use simplified accounts if eligible.

What is a dormant company for Companies House vs HMRC?

Companies House focuses on ‘significant’ transactions; HMRC may still require notification if Corporation Tax registration was active in the past.

Can I submit dormant company accounts online?

Yes. Use Companies House WebFiling to submit dormant accounts quickly and securely.

Should I hire an accountant to file company accounts?

Hiring an accountant is recommended if you want to reduce risk, save time, and ensure filings meet statutory requirements.