Company filing requirements

Firstly, there is the Annual Return.This is a snapshot of general information about a company's directors, secretary (where one has been appointed), registered office address, shareholders and share capital. The return covers the first twelve months from incorporation and is submitted annually thereafter. On each anniversary, you have 28 days to submit the return to Companies House. It is a criminal offence not to do so and officers and the company may be prosecuted for late delivery. There is a filing fee of £14 for electronic filing and £40 if filing on paper.

Then there are the company accounts. Your first set will need to be filed with Companies House within 21 months of the date of incorporation. Thereafter, they will need to be filed within 9 months of the ‘accounting reference date’ (effectively the company’s year end), unless you subsequently change the accounting reference date. There is no fee for filing the accounts.

The company will also need to pay any corporation tax it owes. This will need to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs nine months and one day from the accounting reference date.

The company will also need to submit its corporation tax return to HM Revenue & Customs. This is due twelve months after the accounting reference date. There is no filing fee for this either.

Please note that any change in the company’s accounting reference date, can affect some of these deadlines, and they will vary from the rules given above.

As you’re just starting out in business, you may find it useful to speak with your local TaxAssist Accountant, as they specialise in the accountancy and taxation affairs of small businesses.

Date published 5 Dec 2012

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.