Companies House Filing Deadlines Common Errors to Avoid
Every UK limited company and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) has a strict statutory obligation to submit annual accounts and confirmation statements to Companies House on time.
Working with experienced accountants in Ilford or your local corporate compliance specialist helps ensure your company’s statutory filings are accurate, verified, and submitted well ahead of legal cutoffs.
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| Companies House Filing Deadlines: Common Errors to Avoid |
Key Companies House Filing Deadlines
Understanding the distinct deadlines for your company’s filings prevents accidental late submissions:
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
STATUTORY COMPANIES HOUSE TIMELINE
[ Annual Accounts ] [ Confirmation Statement ]
• Private Ltd / LLP: • Due once every 12 months
9 months after ARD within 14 days of review
• Public PLC: period end date
6 months after ARD
• First Accounts (>12m):
21 months from incorporation
(or 3m from ARD if longer)
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
| Filing Type | Entity Type | Statutory Deadline |
| Annual Accounts (Subsequent) | Private Limited Company / LLP | 9 months after the Accounting Reference Date (ARD) |
| Annual Accounts (Subsequent) | Public Limited Company (PLC) | 6 months after the Accounting Reference Date (ARD) |
| First Annual Accounts (>12 months) | Private Limited Company / LLP | 21 months from incorporation date (or 3 months from ARD, whichever is longer) |
| Confirmation Statement (CS01) | All Companies & LLPs | At least once every 12 months, within 14 days of the review period end |
6 Common Companies House Filing Errors to Avoid
Submitting filings at the last minute leaves zero margin for error if Companies House rejects your submission. Avoid these six frequent mistakes:
1. Confusing Companies House and HMRC Deadlines
A common mistake among new directors is assuming Corporation Tax and Companies House accounts share the same deadline.
Companies House Accounts: Due 9 months after your financial year-end.
HMRC Corporation Tax Payment: Due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends.
HMRC Company Tax Return (CT600): Due 12 months after your accounting period ends.
Furthermore, following the closure of the joint HMRC and Companies House online filing service (CATO), company tax returns and statutory accounts must be submitted separately using approved software.
2. Submitting Accounts That Get Rejected Near the Deadline
If you file your accounts on the deadline day and Companies House rejects them due to technical errors (such as a missing balance sheet signature or incorrect accounting reference dates), the submission is treated as unfiled. If corrected accounts arrive even one day past the cutoff, an automatic late filing penalty applies.
3. Missing Director Identity Verification & Personal Codes
Under UK corporate transparency laws (Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act), mandatory identity verification applies to company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), and LLP members. Attempting to submit a Confirmation Statement (CS01) without valid verified personal codes for active directors will block the filing and risk overdue status.
4. Failing to Update PSC & Shareholder Registers Before Filing CS01
The Confirmation Statement confirms that public register details are accurate as of the review date. Common pitfalls include:
Forgetting to record share transfers or newly issued shares before submitting the CS01.
Leaving outdated residential or service addresses for directors and PSCs.
Using a PO Box as a registered office address—all UK companies must maintain a physical, appropriate registered address where documents can be delivered and acknowledged.
5. Assuming Dormant Companies Do Not Need to File
Even if your company has not traded, generated zero revenue, or remained dormant throughout the financial year, you are still legally required to file Dormant Company Accounts and an annual Confirmation Statement. Claiming that a company is dormant is not accepted by Companies House as a valid excuse for late filing.
6. Overlooking Shortened or Extended Accounting Reference Periods
If you change your company’s Accounting Reference Date (ARD), your filing deadline changes automatically:
Shortening an accounting period: Your filing deadline becomes either 3 months from the date you notify Companies House or the original 9-month deadline—whichever is longer.
Extending an accounting period: You can only extend a period up to a maximum of 18 months, and generally only once every 5 years.
Companies House Late Filing Penalty Scale
Companies House penalties for late accounts are strictly enforced by law and double automatically if accounts are filed late in two consecutive financial years:
| Length of Delay After Due Date | Private Company / LLP Penalty | Private Company Penalty (2nd Consecutive Late Year) | Public Company (PLC) Penalty |
| Up to 1 month | £150 | £300 | £750 |
| 1 to 3 months | £375 | £750 | £1,500 |
| 3 to 6 months | £750 | £1,500 | £3,000 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 | £3,000 | £7,500 |
Director Responsibility: While the civil late filing fine is billed to the company, failing to deliver statutory accounts or confirmation statements is a criminal offence.
Directors risk personal prosecution, criminal fines, disqualification, and compulsory company strike-off (resulting in frozen company bank accounts).
When to Seek Professional Accounting Support
COMPANIES HOUSE COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
┌───────────────────────────────┐
[✓] Statutory Accounts Signed & Checked
[✓] Director ID Codes Verified
[✓] PSC & Share Registers Audited
[✓] Physical Registered Office Active
└───────────────────────────────┘
Working with experienced local professionals, whether you consult accountants in Ilford, work alongside accountants in Stratford, or coordinate through accountants in Brentwood, ensures your company meets every Companies House and HMRC deadline without risk of rejection or fines. Expert corporate accountants prepare statutory accounts, verify PSC registers, and manage your annual compliance calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I appeal a Companies House late filing penalty?
Appeals are only granted in genuinely exceptional circumstances outside your control occurring close to the deadline (such as a sudden serious illness or a fire/flood destroying company records).
Can I apply for an extension before my accounts are due?
Yes, you can apply to Companies House for a filing extension before your deadline passes if an unforeseen event stops you from filing on time.
What happens if I miss my Confirmation Statement (CS01) deadline?
Unlike accounts, there is no automatic tiered late filing fee for a Confirmation Statement, though Companies House can issue financial penalties, prosecute directors, and initiate compulsory strike-off action to dissolve the company from the public register.
Keep Your Limited Company Fully Compliant
Submitting statutory filings early protects your company’s credit rating, prevents escalating late penalties, and keeps your director record clear.
Contact our expert corporate accounting team today to manage your annual Companies House accounts, review your Confirmation Statement registers, and stay ahead of all statutory deadlines.
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