Have you ever wondered what could happen if your company fails to file its annual accounts on time? Or perhaps you’ve been unsure about the consequences of a late submission, or the severity of the penalties that might follow?
In the UK, companies are legally required to submit their annual accounts to Companies House. This obligation applies whether the business is large or small, active or dormant, public or private. Missing a filing deadline is not a minor administrative oversight, it triggers automatic financial penalties, and in some cases, may lead to criminal prosecution.
This article breaks down everything UK company directors and LLP members need to know about late filing penalties from Companies House, including key deadlines, how penalties are calculated, how to avoid them, and what to do if you find yourself at risk of non-compliance.
Why Did Companies House Introduce Late Filing Penalties?
The late filing penalty system was introduced in 1992 with a single goal: to ensure that companies file their accounts and reports on time so that accurate financial information is available for the public record.
Transparent financial reporting is essential in a regulated economy. Investors, suppliers, customers, and regulators rely on access to a company’s financial position to make informed decisions. To maintain integrity and fairness across the corporate sector, penalties are imposed when businesses fail to meet these legal obligations.
Importantly, these penalties apply universally to all registered companies in the UK, regardless of trading status or size.
Which Companies Are Required to File Accounts With Companies House?
Under UK company law, all companies must submit annual accounts to Companies House. This includes:
- Private companies (Ltd)
- Public limited companies (PLC)
- Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
- Dormant companies
- Non-trading entities
There are no exceptions to this rule. Even companies with no trading activity during the financial year are still required to submit either full or dormant accounts.
The requirement to file applies annually, and the deadlines vary depending on whether it is the company’s first year of incorporation or a subsequent financial year.
When Are Company Accounts Due for Filing?
First Financial Year Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines for first-year accounts depend on how long the financial period covers and the type of company.
| Company Type | Filing Deadline |
| Private Ltd / LLP | 21 months from incorporation or 3 months from accounting reference date (whichever is longer) |
| Public Ltd Company | 18 months from incorporation or 3 months from accounting reference date (whichever is longer) |
Subsequent Financial Years
Once the first year has passed, deadlines are determined solely by the company’s accounting reference date.
| Company Type | Filing Deadline After Financial Year-End |
| Private Ltd / LLP | 9 months |
| Public Ltd Company | 6 months |
If a company changes its accounting reference date, the filing time may also change, often reducing the time allowed.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Filing Accounts on Time?
The directors of a limited company or designated members of an LLP are personally responsible for ensuring that accounts are filed correctly and on time. This responsibility cannot be delegated, even if a third-party accountant or agency is used to prepare the documents.
It is also important to note that “filing” means that Companies House must receive the accounts in the correct format before the deadline, not the date they were posted or emailed.
Failure to meet these deadlines can result in both financial penalties and criminal prosecution.
How Much Are Late Filing Penalties From Companies House?
Late filing penalties are automatically triggered if a company fails to deliver acceptable accounts by the due date. The amount of the penalty depends on how late the accounts are filed.
Late Filing Penalty Charges
| Time After Deadline | Private Company / LLP | Public Company |
| Not more than 1 month | £150 | £750 |
| More than 1 month – 3 months | £375 | £1,500 |
| More than 3 months – 6 months | £750 | £3,000 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 | £7,500 |
If a company files late in two consecutive years, the penalty for the second year is automatically doubled.
Example Scenario
A private company with a year-end of 30 September 2024 must file accounts by 30 June 2025. If they file on 20 July 2025, the penalty is £150. If the same company files late again in the following year, the penalty for a similar delay will increase to £300.
Can You Avoid a Late Filing Penalty?
Avoiding late filing penalties is entirely within the company’s control. The most effective strategy is to plan well ahead of the filing deadline.
Simple steps to avoid penalties include:
- Knowing your company’s accounting reference date
- Setting multiple calendar reminders well in advance
- Registering for email reminders from Companies House
- Instructing your accountant in good time and clearly communicating expectations
Many companies get caught out by assuming that weekends or bank holidays grant them extra time. However, Companies House deadlines remain valid regardless of the day of the week, and even if the office is closed.
Filing early is always better than filing on the deadline.
What Delivery Methods Are Accepted by Companies House?
Most limited companies can file their accounts online, which is the recommended method due to its speed and reliability.
For LLPs and certain complex filings, paper submission may still be required. In such cases, it’s advisable to use tracked or guaranteed postal services, especially close to the deadline.
It’s also worth noting that Companies House will not accept incomplete or incorrectly formatted accounts, which means they will be returned and if this happens after the deadline, a penalty will still apply.
What If You Need More Time to File Your Accounts?
If you know you will not meet the deadline and the cause is beyond your control, you may apply for an extension before the filing deadline.
Valid reasons for extension requests include:
- A fire or flood that destroyed financial records
- A serious illness or death in key personnel
- An IT system failure
Companies House will only consider exceptional and unforeseeable events as grounds for an extension. Routine issues like an accountant being unavailable, holidays, or a lack of awareness of deadlines are not accepted.
Can You Appeal a Late Filing Penalty?
Yes, you can appeal a late filing penalty but doing so successfully is difficult unless you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
Grounds That Are Typically Accepted
- Major disasters (fire, flood, IT system crash)
- Serious illness of the company director
- Bereavement in immediate family shortly before the deadline
Common Grounds That Are Rejected
- Your company is dormant
- You cannot afford the penalty
- Your accountant was late, ill or unresponsive
- Directors were travelling or living abroad
- It was your first set of accounts
- You didn’t understand the filing rules
All appeals must be submitted within two months of receiving the penalty notice.
If your appeal is rejected, you can escalate to the Senior Casework Unit, and then request a review by the Independent Adjudicators. However, even at that stage, Companies House has the final say.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay a Penalty?
If a company ignores the penalty notice, Companies House may take enforcement action, which could include:
- Assigning debt collection agents
- Taking the matter to the County Court or Sheriff Court
- Adding legal fees and interest to the outstanding amount
In some cases, directors may face personal financial liability or restrictions on future company formations.
If you are genuinely unable to pay immediately, you can request to pay in monthly instalments by contacting Companies House in writing or via their enquiry line.
What Happens If Your Company Is Struck Off and Later Restored?
If your company is dissolved and later restored to the register, some penalties may still apply:
- Penalties issued before dissolution remain payable
- Penalties for accounts filed after restoration, where they were overdue at the time of dissolution, may also be charged
- Penalties during the time the company was dissolved are not charged
Restoration does not automatically wipe out all debts, so it’s crucial to understand which penalties still apply after reinstatement.
Conclusion
Understanding and adhering to filing deadlines is not just good business practice, it’s a legal requirement. Directors and LLP members must take proactive measures to ensure their accounts are submitted on time and in the correct format.
By maintaining up-to-date records, using digital tools, and planning ahead, companies can avoid the inconvenience and financial burden of late filing penalties from Companies House. In an increasingly transparent business environment, timely compliance is not optional, it’s essential for credibility and continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit accounts online even on the deadline day?
Yes, but it’s risky. System issues or missing information could delay acceptance. Submit at least a few days early.
What’s the best way to confirm my filing deadline?
Use Companies House’s online service to check your company’s due dates based on your accounting reference date.
How will I know if a penalty has been issued?
Companies House sends a penalty notice to your registered office, detailing the due date, filing date, and amount owed.
Can I avoid a penalty if my accountant didn’t submit on time?
No. Directors are personally responsible, and accountant delays are not valid grounds for appeal.
Will I still be fined if my accounts are returned for errors?
Yes. If the corrected version is filed after the deadline, the penalty still applies.
Can I file my LLP accounts online?
Currently, LLPs must file paper accounts unless Companies House explicitly allows digital submission for your case.
What should I do if I can’t pay the penalty?
Contact Companies House and request a payment plan. This is often granted for short-term financial hardship.
