UK Companies House Deadlines FAQ: Filing Calendar 2026

Every UK private limited company has a small number of recurring filings due at fixed intervals. Missing them triggers automatic penalties, and in serious cases the company can be struck off the register. This FAQ collects the most common questions about Companies House deadlines in 2026, including the new fee schedule that took effect on 1 February 2026 under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Q1. What is the deadline for filing the confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement must be filed at least once every 12 months, on or before the review period date (Companies Act 2006, s.853A). The review period date is normally the anniversary of the previous confirmation statement (or, for new companies, the anniversary of incorporation). The company has 14 days after the review period date to file (s.853A(1)(b)).

For a company incorporated on 1 March 2025, the first confirmation statement is due no later than 15 March 2026.

Source — Companies Act 2006, s.853A: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/853A

Q2. What is the deadline for filing annual accounts?

Under Companies Act 2006, s.442, accounts must be filed within:

• 9 months of the accounting reference date (ARD) for a private company; and
• 6 months for a public company (plc).

For a first set of accounts covering a period exceeding 12 months, the period is reduced — the deadline is the later of (a) 9 months from the first ARD, or (b) 3 months after the last day of the first accounting period (s.442(3)).

A new private company incorporated on 1 March 2025 has its first ARD set automatically as 31 March 2026 (last day of the month of incorporation, plus one year). Its first accounts must be filed by 31 December 2026 (9 months after the ARD).

Q3. What are the late filing penalties for accounts in 2026?

Late accounts attract automatic penalties under Companies Act 2006, s.453. The penalties for a private company filing in 2026 are:

If accounts are late two years in a row, the penalty is doubled. Penalties cannot be appealed except on narrow procedural grounds.

Source — Companies House late filing penalties: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/late-filing-penalties

Q4. What is the new fee schedule from 1 February 2026?

Under the Companies House (Fees) Regulations 2024, fees were increased substantially from 1 February 2026 to fund the new compliance regime introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Key fees:

Source — Companies House fee changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026

The fee changes apply to new filings made on or after 1 February 2026; filings already in progress are unaffected.

Q5. How long do I have to file form SH01 (return of allotment)?

Under Companies Act 2006, s.555, an SH01 return of allotment must be delivered to Companies House within one month of the allotment date. There is no fee. Late filing does not currently attract an automatic penalty but is treated as a Companies Act offence and can lead to director’s personal liability.

Q6. How long do I have to file changes to PSC information?

Under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006, s.790VA, changes to information about a Person with Significant Control must be filed within 14 days of the company becoming aware of the change. The relevant forms are PSC01 to PSC09. The change can also be reflected in the next confirmation statement, but where the change is significant (a new PSC, or removal of an existing PSC) the 14-day clock applies regardless.

Q7. What about director appointments and resignations?

Director changes must be filed within 14 days of the change (Companies Act 2006, s.167). Forms used:

• AP01 — appointment of a director (individual).
• AP02 — appointment of a director (corporate).
• TM01 — termination of a director’s appointment.
• CH01 — change of director’s particulars.

There is no filing fee for these changes when filed online.

Q8. What is the deadline for filing a change of registered office?

A change of registered office must be filed on form AD01 as soon as practicable. The change does not take effect until registered, but the filing should not be delayed. Note that under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, only an “appropriate address” qualifies — PO Boxes and unmanned addresses are no longer acceptable as the registered office.

Source — Registered office address: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/registered-office-address

Q9. When is corporation tax due?

Corporation tax is administered by HMRC, not Companies House, but founders often confuse the two. The deadlines:

• Corporation tax return (CT600) — within 12 months of the end of the accounting period.
• Corporation tax payment — within 9 months and 1 day of the end of the accounting period (for non-quarterly instalment payers).

A company with an accounting period ending 31 March 2026 must therefore pay its corporation tax by 1 January 2027 and file its CT600 by 31 March 2027.

Q10. Can I extend a filing deadline?

Companies House can grant a one-off extension to the accounts filing deadline if the company applies on form AA09 (online) before the existing deadline expires, and a valid reason is given (e.g., illness, fire, theft of records). Extensions are at Companies House’s discretion and cannot be granted retrospectively.

The confirmation statement deadline cannot be extended — it is a statutory cycle.

Q11. What happens if I file late?

For accounts:

• An automatic late filing penalty (Q3 above).
• The company’s filing record on the public register shows a “late accounts” warning.
• Persistent late filing can trigger a “compulsory strike-off” process under Companies Act 2006, s.1000, where Companies House proposes to remove the company from the register. The company has 2 months to object before the strike-off takes effect.

For confirmation statements:

• The company is committing a criminal offence under s.853L. Each director can be personally fined.
• Companies House may begin the strike-off process under s.1000.

Q12. What are the typical 2026 filing dates for a calendar-year company?

For a private company with an accounting reference date of 31 December:

Q13. Where do I check my company’s outstanding filings?

The Companies House public register is the single source of truth:

• https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/

Type the company number or name; the company profile lists the next confirmation statement due date and the next accounts due date. Setting calendar reminders 30 days before each is a sensible discipline for company secretaries.

Q14. What if I have multiple companies?

Companies House provides a “follow this company” feature on the public register. For a company secretary handling several entities, the Web Filing dashboard at:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house

aggregates pending filings. Many corporate service providers also publish quarterly compliance calendars that match the Companies House cycle.

Q15. Are there any new ECCTA 2023 deadlines to watch?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduces identity verification for directors and PSCs, with a phased commencement during 2026 and 2027. New directors will need to verify their identity before being appointed. Existing directors will be required to verify within a transition window — Companies House will publish individual deadlines based on the company’s confirmation statement cycle. Watch the announcements at https://www.gov.uk/government/news.

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Disclaimer

This article provides legal information, not legal advice. MmowW Scrib🐮 is a document preparation service operated by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (行政書士) office in Japan. We are not UK solicitors or barristers.

Sources

• Companies Act 2006, s.853A (confirmation statement): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/853A
• Companies Act 2006, s.442 (filing of accounts): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/442
• Companies House — late filing penalties: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/late-filing-penalties
• Companies House — fee changes from 1 February 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026
• Companies House public register: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/