Every limited company in the UK must file certain documents with Companies House each year, primarily the Annual Accounts and the Confirmation Statement. Missing these deadlines can lead to severe financial penalties and, in some cases, the closure of your company.
This guide explains what happens if you file late and how much it could cost you.
Late Filing Penalties for Annual Accounts
If you file your Annual Accounts late, Companies House will automatically issue a financial penalty. The amount you are fined depends entirely on how late the accounts are delivered.
For a private limited company, the penalties are:
•Up to 1 month late: £150
•1 to 3 months late: £375
•3 to 6 months late: £750
•More than 6 months late: £1,500
Important: If you file your accounts late two years in a row, the penalty for the second year is doubled. This means a penalty of £1,500 could instantly become £3,000.
What About the Confirmation Statement?
Unlike Annual Accounts, Companies House does not issue an automatic financial penalty if you file your Confirmation Statement late.
However, failing to file it is still a criminal offence. If you ignore the reminders, Companies House will assume your company is no longer trading and will take steps to strike it off the public register. This means your company will cease to exist, and its assets will pass to the Crown.
Can You Appeal a Penalty?
You can appeal a late filing penalty, but Companies House will only accept it in truly exceptional circumstances.
They may accept an appeal if an unforeseen catastrophe occurred just before the deadline, such as a fire destroying your records.
Companies House will NOT accept appeals based on:
•Your company being dormant
•You not being able to afford the penalty
•You relying on your accountant to file them
•Your accountant being ill
•You not understanding the filing requirements
•The accounts getting lost or delayed in the post
How to Avoid Penalties
The simplest way to avoid penalties is to file digitally and file early.
File online:
Digital filing is faster, cheaper, and provides immediate confirmation that Companies House has received your documents.
Do not wait until the last minute:
If your deadline falls on a Sunday or a Bank Holiday, you must still file by that date.
Apply for an extension if needed:
If an exceptional event means you cannot file on time, you can apply for an extension, but you must do this before your original deadline passes.
This guide is for information purposes only and was last updated in May 2026. For the most current penalty rates and guidance, always check the official Companies House late filing penalties page.