What Accounts Must I File for a UK Limited Company?

Most UK limited companies must prepare annual accounts and file the required information with Companies House each year.

The exact accounts you need to file depend on the size and circumstances of your company.

What Are Annual Accounts?

Annual accounts provide a financial picture of your company for its financial year.

They will normally include information such as:

• A balance sheet
• Profit and loss information
• Notes to the accounts
• Directors' information where required
• An auditor's report if an audit is required

Small companies and micro-entities may qualify for simplified reporting and filing requirements.

What Does a Small Company File?

A company that meets the relevant small-company criteria may be able to prepare accounts under the rules for small companies.

The exact information that must be filed depends on the accounting framework and current Companies House requirements.

What About a Micro-Entity?

Very small companies that meet the micro-entity criteria can usually prepare simpler accounts.

Micro-entity accounts still need to meet legal requirements, but they contain less detailed information than full accounts.

Do Dormant Companies File Accounts?

Yes.

A company that is dormant generally still needs to submit dormant company accounts to Companies House.

Being dormant does not remove the company's annual filing responsibilities.

Are Annual Accounts the Same as a Confirmation Statement?

No. These are separate requirements.

Annual Accounts → Financial information

Confirmation Statement → Company information

Most companies must deal with both.

When Are Company Accounts Due?

For a private limited company, annual accounts are normally due 9 months after the end of the company's financial year.

Different deadlines apply to the company's first accounts, so new companies should check their specific Companies House deadline.

What Happens If Accounts Are Late?

Companies House can impose automatic penalties for late accounts.

For private companies, penalties currently range from £150 to £1,500, depending on how late the accounts are filed.

Final Answer

Most UK limited companies must file annual accounts with Companies House every year.

The type and level of information required depends on whether the company qualifies as a micro-entity, small company, medium-sized company or larger company.

Even if your company is dormant, you will generally still need to file the appropriate accounts and keep up with your Companies House deadlines.

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