What Does a UK Company Need to File With Companies House?

A UK limited company must submit certain information and documents to Companies House throughout its lifetime. The main ongoing filings include annual accounts and a confirmation statement, as well as updates when important company details change.

Keeping Companies House records up to date is one of the key responsibilities of company directors.

1. Annual Accounts

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

Depending on the company's size and circumstances, the accounts may include:

• Balance sheet
• Profit and loss information where required
• Notes to the accounts
• Directors' information
• Auditor's report where an audit is required

The exact filing requirements can vary for micro-entities, small companies and larger businesses.

2. Confirmation Statement

A company must generally file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months.

This confirms that important information held by Companies House is correct, including details relating to the company's:

• Registered office
• Directors
• Shareholders
• People with Significant Control (PSCs)
• Share capital
• SIC codes

You must file a confirmation statement even if nothing has changed.

3. Changes to Company Details

Companies House must also be informed when certain company information changes.

This can include changes to:

• Directors
• Registered office address
• Registered email address
• PSC information
• Company name
• Share structure
• SIC codes

Different changes have different filing requirements and deadlines.

4. Changes to Directors

If a director is appointed, resigns or certain details change, the company must update Companies House within the applicable deadline.

Directors are also subject to current identity-verification requirements.

5. People With Significant Control

Companies must keep their PSC information accurate and report relevant changes to Companies House.

A PSC is generally someone who has significant ownership or control over the company, such as an individual holding more than 25% of its shares or voting rights.

What Happens If You Do Not File?

Failing to meet Companies House filing obligations can lead to consequences.

For example, late annual accounts can result in financial penalties, and continued failure to meet company obligations can potentially lead to enforcement action or the company being struck off the register.

Directors are responsible for ensuring required filings are completed, even when an accountant or other professional prepares them.

Do Dormant Companies Still Need to File?

Yes.

A dormant company generally still has Companies House obligations, including filing dormant company accounts and a confirmation statement.

Being dormant does not mean the company can simply ignore its filing deadlines.

Final Answer

The main filings a UK limited company normally needs to make with Companies House are:

Annual Accounts + Confirmation Statement + Updates to Important Company Information

Additional filings may be required when directors, shareholders, PSCs, addresses, shares or other company details change.

Directors should monitor their company's filing deadlines carefully, as Companies House requirements continue throughout the life of the company.

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