Companies House late filing penalties: what happens and what to do
Your startup can be fundraising-ready on paper and still get hit with a Companies House late filing penalty because annual accounts arrived three weeks late. The penalty is automatic. HMRC does not decide it. Companies House does not negotiate it at the postbox.
Founders often discover this when an investor's diligence checklist asks for confirmation statements and filed accounts on time.
What is a Companies House late filing penalty?
A Companies House late filing penalty is an automatic fine imposed on a UK company when its annual accounts are delivered after the statutory deadline. For private companies, accounts are usually due nine months after the accounting reference date.
Directors are personally responsible for ensuring accounts reach Companies House in the correct format before the deadline expires.
Filing deadline and penalty timeline
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When are accounts due at Companies House?
For most private limited companies after the first year:
Milestone | Deadline |
Accounting reference date (year end) | Set at incorporation (can be changed) |
Accounts due at Companies House | 9 months after year end |
First accounts (if period over 12 months) | Longer window applies; check GOV.UK |
Example: year end 30 September 2025, accounts due 30 June 2026.
Public companies have 6 months. Deadlines fall on calendar dates even if they land on a weekend or bank holiday.
Late filing penalty amounts (private companies)
Penalties apply to accounts only (not confirmation statements, which have separate rules):
How late | Private company penalty |
Up to 1 month | £150 |
1 to 3 months | £375 |
3 to 6 months | £750 |
More than 6 months | £1,500 |
If accounts are late in two successive financial years, the penalty doubles (from 6 April 2008 rules onward). Figures follow GOV.UK late filing penalties guidance.
What happens if you do not file?
Beyond the financial penalty:
Public record shows accounts are overdue
Strike-off risk if compliance failures persist
Investor and lender friction during diligence
Separate criminal proceedings possible for non-filing (in addition to civil penalties)
Late filing is a credibility signal, not just a fee.
What should founders do if accounts are already late?
File acceptable accounts immediately. Partial or unsigned accounts may be rejected; corrected late filings still attract penalties.
Pay the penalty via GOV.UK (online for penalties from 30 March 2020 onward).
Fix the process. Calendar the next ARD and build accounts prep into your month-end close rhythm.
Consider an appeal only if circumstances are genuinely exceptional (GOV.UK appeal guidance). "We were busy fundraising" is not exceptional.
How to avoid Companies House late filing penalties
Action | Why it helps |
Register for Companies House email reminders | Free deadline alerts |
Align bookkeeper and accountant timelines | Accounts ready before CH deadline, not after |
Separate CH filing from CT600 filing | Different deadlines; both matter |
File early in the 9-month window | Avoid last-minute rejections |
AccountUp treats statutory filings as part of ongoing finance ops, not a surprise each September.
FAQs
How much is a Companies House late filing penalty?
For private companies, penalties start at £150 if accounts are up to one month late, rising to £1,500 if more than six months late.
Are directors personally liable for late filing?
Directors (or LLP designated members) are personally responsible for delivering accounts on time. The penalty is charged to the company, but director duties apply.
Is the Companies House deadline the same as the corporation tax deadline?
No. Companies House accounts are usually due 9 months after year end. Corporation tax payment is typically 9 months and 1 day after year end, and the CT600 return is due 12 months after year end. See our CT600 deadline guide.
Can you appeal a Companies House late filing penalty?
You can appeal, but success requires exceptional circumstances. Routine business pressure rarely qualifies.
Do dormant companies need to file?
Yes. Dormant companies must still file dormant accounts by the deadline or face the same penalty structure.
**Worried about a missed filing deadline?** Talk to an Expert to get accounts and compliance back on track.
