Tools/Filing Deadline Calculator

    Filing Deadline Calculator

    Check when a UK company's accounts and confirmation statement are due. Enter a company name or number to see upcoming filing deadlines.

    UK Company Filing Deadlines Explained

    Every UK limited company registered at Companies House must file annual accounts and a confirmation statement. Missing these deadlines results in automatic financial penalties and, in serious cases, can lead to the company being struck off the register. This tool shows you both deadlines for any company you look up.

    When Are Annual Accounts Due at Companies House?

    • Private companies - must file within 9 months of their accounting reference date (year-end)
    • Public companies (PLC) - must file within 6 months of their year-end
    • First accounts - due 21 months after incorporation (private) or 18 months (public), but still within the standard deadline if that's sooner

    Late Filing Penalties for Company Accounts

    Companies House automatically issues penalties for late filing of annual accounts. Penalties apply from the day after the deadline and increase with how late the filing is:

    • Up to 1 month late - £150 (private) / £750 (public)
    • 1 to 3 months late - £375 / £1,500
    • 3 to 6 months late - £750 / £3,000
    • Over 6 months late - £1,500 / £7,500

    Penalties are doubled if accounts are filed late in two consecutive years.

    When Is a Confirmation Statement Due?

    A confirmation statement (formerly the annual return) must be filed at least once every 12 months. The due date is calculated from the date of incorporation or the date the last confirmation statement was made up to, plus 12 months. You then have 14 days after the due date to file it with Companies House.

    What Does a Confirmation Statement Cover?

    The confirmation statement verifies that the following details held at Companies House are correct and up to date:

    • Registered office address
    • Directors and secretaries
    • Statement of capital and shareholders (for companies with shares)
    • SIC codes (nature of business)
    • Persons with Significant Control (PSC register)

    How to File a Confirmation Statement

    Confirmation statements can be filed online through the Companies House WebFiling service. The filing fee is £13 when filed online (£40 on paper). If nothing has changed since the last filing, you can simply confirm that all information is still correct. If details have changed, you must update them as part of the filing.

    Can You Get More Time to File Accounts?

    Companies House may grant a three-month extension to the accounts filing deadline in exceptional circumstances - for example, serious illness or a natural disaster affecting the company's ability to file. Applications must be made before the existing deadline passes. Extensions are not routine and must be applied for with a valid reason. The COVID-19 automatic extensions are no longer available.

    What Happens If You Miss a Filing Deadline?

    Unlike annual accounts, there is no automatic financial penalty for late confirmation statements. However, Companies House may take action to strike off the company if a confirmation statement is significantly overdue. Directors of a company that fails to file can also be prosecuted, facing a fine of up to £5,000.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    When are my company accounts due at Companies House?

    For most private limited companies, annual accounts must be filed within nine months of the end of the accounting reference period (the company's financial year-end). A company's very first accounts have different rules and are usually due within 21 months of the incorporation date, or 9 months of the first accounting reference date, whichever is sooner.

    What is a confirmation statement and when is it due?

    A confirmation statement (formerly the annual return) is a yearly check-in with Companies House to confirm that key company details - directors, shareholders, registered office, and SIC codes - are correct. It must be filed within 14 days of the anniversary of the previous confirmation statement. There is a small annual filing fee.

    What are the penalties for filing company accounts late?

    Companies House issues automatic financial penalties for late accounts. The penalty for a private company is £150 for up to one month late, rising to £375 for one to three months, £750 for three to six months, and £1,500 for more than six months. Penalties are doubled if accounts are filed late in two consecutive years. Persistent failure to file can result in the company being struck off the register.

    What happens if I miss the confirmation statement deadline?

    Unlike accounts, there is no automatic financial penalty for a late confirmation statement. However, an overdue confirmation statement is a warning sign that can lead Companies House to begin compulsory strike-off proceedings. Directors can also face prosecution. It should be filed as promptly as possible even if overdue.

    What is an accounting reference date (ARD)?

    The accounting reference date is the last day of a company's financial year - its year-end date. By default this is set to the last day of the month in which the company was incorporated, one year later. For example, a company incorporated on 15 March will have a default ARD of 31 March the following year. The ARD can be changed, which in turn changes when accounts are due.

    Can I get more time to file my company accounts?

    Yes, in limited circumstances. Companies House may grant a three-month extension if there is a compelling reason, such as a serious illness or natural disaster affecting your ability to file. COVID-19 extensions were available during the pandemic but are no longer automatic. Applications must be made before the existing deadline passes.

    How do I change my company's accounting reference date?

    You can shorten or extend your ARD by filing form AA01 with Companies House. You can shorten an accounting period as often as you like, but you can only extend it once in every five years, and extensions are capped at 18 months from the start of the accounting period. Changing the ARD automatically adjusts the accounts filing deadline.

    What is the difference between full accounts and micro-entity or small company accounts?

    Companies meeting certain size thresholds can file simplified accounts. Micro-entities (turnover under £632,000, balance sheet under £316,000, 10 or fewer employees) can file minimal accounts. Small companies can file abridged accounts. The filing deadline is the same regardless of account type, but what must be included in the filing differs.

    Can I file company accounts early?

    Yes. You can file accounts any time after your financial year-end, well ahead of the deadline. Filing early removes the risk of missing the deadline and can improve your company's profile with lenders and suppliers who check Companies House. Accounts filed very early may show as relating to a short accounting period if filed before the full year has elapsed.

    Do my accounts deadline and confirmation statement deadline fall on the same date?

    Not usually. The accounts deadline is based on your accounting reference date (year-end), while the confirmation statement is based on your incorporation date or the date of your last statement. They typically fall at different points in the year, so both should be tracked separately.

    What is the filing deadline for a new company in its first year?

    First-year accounts have a longer deadline than subsequent years. Most private companies must file within 21 months of the date of incorporation. The exact deadline depends on whether the first accounting period is longer or shorter than 12 months, so checking the specific due date for a new company is worth doing with this tool.

    What happens if a company is struck off for non-filing?

    If Companies House strikes a company off the register for failure to file accounts or a confirmation statement, the company ceases to exist as a legal entity. Its assets vest in the Crown. Directors can be held personally liable for ongoing business conducted through a struck-off company. Restoration to the register is possible but costly and time-consuming.

    Can I file company accounts myself or do I need an accountant?

    You can file accounts directly through Companies House - small and micro-entity accounts can often be filed online without an accountant. However, preparing statutory accounts correctly requires understanding of accounting standards, and errors can lead to rejection or penalties. Most businesses use an accountant for this reason, but filing without one is legally permitted.