If your accounts reach Companies House after the deadline, the company is charged a late filing penalty automatically. There is no discretion over the amount, and the penalty is on the company rather than the directors. This article sets out the bands, the rule that doubles them, how to ask for more time before the deadline, and how to appeal afterwards.
How much the penalty is
The penalty depends on how late the accounts are and whether the company is private or public:
| Time after the deadline | Private company | Public company |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | £150 | £750 |
| 1 to 3 months | £375 | £1,500 |
| 3 to 6 months | £750 | £3,000 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500 | £7,500 |
The penalty is doubled if the company’s accounts were also late the previous year.
It is more than a fine. Failing to file accounts is a criminal offence for the directors, who can be fined personally. Companies House may also start to strike the company off the register, which can mean its bank accounts are frozen and its assets pass to the Crown.
Accounts rejected close to the deadline
Accounts are only “filed” once Companies House accepts them. If a submission is rejected, the original deadline still stands, so leave time to fix and resubmit. Tax Optimiser runs its validation checks before submission so most problems are caught before anything is sent; the submission status on the period’s Companies House Submission screen shows when a filing has been accepted.
Asking for more time before the deadline
You can apply to Companies House for an extension, but only before the deadline passes, and only if something happened that was outside your control — serious illness, a fire or flood, a cyber attack. Being busy, or waiting on your accountant, is not usually accepted. Apply as soon as you know there will be a problem.
Appealing a penalty
You can appeal a penalty in writing to Companies House. Appeals only succeed in exceptional circumstances, such as a serious event close to the deadline that you could not have planned for. The following are generally not accepted:
- not knowing the deadline, or not receiving a reminder
- the accountant or another agent being late
- financial difficulty, or the company not trading
- accounts that were rejected and resubmitted after the deadline
Filing the accounts is still required while an appeal is considered — an appeal does not stop the clock.
Staying on the right side of the deadline
Work out your deadlines in advance (see Companies House filing deadlines), make sure the authentication code is to hand, and aim to file at least a couple of weeks early so there is time to deal with a rejection.
How much is the Companies House late filing penalty?
For a private company, £150 if up to one month late, £375 up to three months, £750 up to six months and £1,500 after that. Public companies pay £750 to £7,500.
Why has my late filing penalty doubled?
The penalty is doubled when a company files its accounts late in two consecutive years.
Can I appeal a late filing penalty?
Yes, in writing to Companies House, but appeals only succeed in exceptional circumstances outside your control. Not knowing the deadline, an accountant’s delay or a rejected filing are not normally accepted.
Can I get an extension to file my accounts?
You can apply before the deadline if an unexpected event outside your control, such as serious illness or a fire, stops you filing on time. Applications made after the deadline are not accepted.
Are the directors personally liable for the penalty?
The civil penalty is charged to the company. Separately, not filing accounts is a criminal offence for which directors can be prosecuted and fined personally.