Definition
A late filing penalty is the automatic civil penalty Companies House charges a company whose accounts arrive after the deadline. For a private company it ranges from £150 to £1,500 and is doubled if the accounts were also late the year before.
How much
| 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 accounts are filed late two years running. It is charged to the company. Not filing is also a criminal offence for the directors, and it can lead to the company being struck off.
Avoiding and appealing
You can apply for an extension before the deadline if something outside your control prevents filing. Appeals after the event succeed only in exceptional circumstances.
Read more: Companies House late filing penalties.