If you run a UK company, filing annual accounts isn’t optional — but when you have to file them does depend on a few key factors.

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Let’s break it down in plain English, without the jargon.

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Who Has to File Annual Accounts?

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In the UK, most limited companies and LLPs must prepare and file annual accounts, even if:

• The company hasn’t traded

• You made a loss

• You paid yourself nothing

• The company was dormant

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If you’re registered with Companies House, you’re on the hook.

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Sole traders and partnerships (that are not LLPs) do not file annual accounts with Companies House — their reporting is handled via Self Assessment instead.

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Your First Set of Accounts: The Key Deadline

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For a new limited company, your first accounts have a longer deadline than future years. Your first accounts must be filed 21 months after the date you incorporated.

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For example, if your company was incorporated on 1 April 2025, your first accounts must be filed by 31 December 2026. This gives new businesses breathing room while they get up and running.

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Ongoing Deadlines (After Year One)

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Once you’re past your first year, the rule is much simpler.

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Your accounts must be filed 9 months after your accounting period ends.

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So, if your year-end is 31 March 2025, your filing deadline is 31 December 2025.

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Miss that deadline, and penalties apply automatically.

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Accounts vs Tax Returns (A Common Point of Confusion)

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This is where many business owners trip up.

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You deal with two different authorities:

• Companies House for statutory accounts

• HMRC for corporation tax

Although the numbers come from the same place, the deadlines don’t line up.

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You must:

• File statutory accounts with Companies House within 9 months of your year-end

• Pay Corporation Tax 9 months and 1 day after your year-end

• File your Corporation Tax return within 12 months of your year-end

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Yes, it’s confusing. No, HMRC doesn’t accept that as an excuse.

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What Happens If You File Late?

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Late filing penalties apply automatically and increase the longer you delay. They start at £150 for being up to one month late and can rise to £1,500 if you’re more than six months late. If you file late two years in a row, those penalties double.

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In more serious cases, directors can be fined personally, and persistent non-compliance can lead to your company being struck off.

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What About Dormant Companies?

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Even if your company didn’t trade at all during the year:

• You still have to file accounts

• Dormant accounts are simpler, but they are not optional

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Ignoring this is one of the quickest ways to pick up avoidable fines.

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Final Thoughts

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Annual accounts aren’t just a compliance task — they’re a snapshot of how your business is actually performing.

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Most problems come from:

• Not knowing the deadline

• Assuming someone else is dealing with it

• Or thinking a quiet year doesn’t count

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If you’re unsure whether your accounts are due, overdue, or properly handled, it’s worth checking before Companies House does. We can help with this, contact us for more information: info@xenithwealth.co.uk

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