Companies House Late Filing Fees: How to Avoid Penalties in 2025
Companies House Late Filing Fees: How to Avoid Penalties in 2025
Filing your company accounts and confirmation statement with Companies House on time is a legal requirement for all UK businesses. Missing a deadline can lead to significant late filing penalties, reputational damage, and even the risk of your company being struck off the register.
This guide explains the Companies House late filing fees in 2025, how penalties are calculated, whether you can appeal, and how to avoid them.
Companies House Filing Deadlines
To avoid fines, you must meet the following Companies House filing deadlines:
Annual Accounts – Private limited companies must file accounts within 9 months of the financial year end.
Confirmation Statement – Must be filed at least once every 12 months, usually on or before the company’s “confirmation date.”
If you fail to file on time, penalties are applied automatically.
Companies House Late Filing Penalties 2025
The size of the penalty depends on how late you are:
If your accounts are up to 1 month late, the penalty is £150 for private companies and £750 for public companies.
Between 1 and 3 months late, the penalty rises to £375 for private companies and £1,500 for public companies.
If you file between 3 and 6 months late, the fine increases further to £750 for private companies and £3,000 for public companies.
More than 6 months late results in the maximum penalty of £1,500 for private companies and £7,500 for public companies.
⚠️ Repeat offenders beware: If your company files accounts late two years in a row, the penalty is automatically doubled.
Can You Appeal Companies House Penalties?
Companies House only accepts appeals in very limited cases. You must prove that circumstances beyond your control prevented you from filing on time. Acceptable reasons include:
A fire, flood, or theft destroying company records.
Unexpected postal delays or strikes.
Serious illness affecting key directors or accountants.
Not accepted: Forgetting the deadline, relying on someone else (such as an accountant) to file, or not having funds available.
Why Timely Filing is Important
Failing to meet Companies House filing requirements doesn’t just cost you money:
It damages your company’s credit rating and reputation.
Lenders and investors may see repeated late filings as a red flag.
HMRC may increase scrutiny of your company’s tax affairs.
Persistent failure could even result in compulsory strike-off.
How to Avoid Companies House Late Filing Fees
File Early – Do not leave submissions to the last minute.
Use Companies House Reminders – Sign up for free email alerts.
Work With an Accountant – A professional will ensure you never miss a filing deadline.
Plan Ahead – Keep track of your company’s financial year end and mark deadlines in your diary.
Get Expert Support
At Barnett & Co Accountants, we specialise in helping small businesses and limited companies stay compliant. From preparing annual accounts to filing confirmation statements, we make sure you never face unnecessary Companies House fines.
📧 Email us at info@barnettandco.uk
📞 Call us on 0345 646 1516
Avoid late penalties and let us handle your Companies House filing with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens if you miss the Companies House deadline?
If you file your company accounts late, you will receive an automatic late filing penalty. The longer the delay, the higher the fine. Persistent late filing can also put your company at risk of being struck off.
2. How much is the late filing penalty for a private company?
The penalty starts at £150 for being up to one month late and increases up to £1,500 if you are more than six months late.
3. Can Companies House waive a late filing penalty?
Penalties are rarely waived. You can only appeal if you have a valid reason beyond your control, such as a natural disaster, serious illness, or postal delays.
4. Do late filing penalties affect your credit rating?
Yes. Frequent late filings can damage your company’s reputation and affect how lenders, suppliers, and investors view your business.
5. How can I avoid Companies House late filing fees?
The best way to avoid penalties is to plan ahead, file early, use Companies House reminders, and work with an accountant who will manage deadlines for you.
