Penalties for Late Filing a Confirmation Statement: What UK Companies Must Know

Being late with a filing deadline could prove costly to you and your company. Thousands of UK companies face penalties for late filing each year. Whether it involves your confirmation statement or your annual accounts, it could soon become an expensive mistake.

With HMRC penalties UK that could start small but soon become a major issue. There could even be the risk of your reputation being damaged should your company repeat the same action, and you could even have your directorships disqualified in court.

You work really hard and build your business, yet a single missed deadline can undo years of effort. The Companies House penalties in the UK can strip you of your hard-earned money. If you’re worried about the penalty for missing a deadline, then you’re certainly not alone. This guide will walk you through the complex framework of penalties for late filing.

The Costs of Companies House Penalties for Late Filing

Missing a statutory deadline is like racing against a clock that only ticks upwards in pounds. Operating a business in the UK means managing various deadlines. However, the authorities do not recognise “busy” as an excuse for late submission. The penalties for late filing are intended to be corrective. This measure promotes transparency and timeliness in data sharing.

A consequence of missing a deadline is that it usually comes from two distinct sources: Companies House and HMRC. Well, Companies House is responsible for handling your business, while HMRC is responsible for handling your tax affairs.

The UK company CS penalties not only affect you financially at the time. The consequences may have long-term repercussions on the reputation you have earned as a company. Banks and lenders will analyse the records available at Companies House before allowing credit.

According to Companies House, every company must submit confirmation statements within 14 days after the review date. There are also no extensions that can be made for confirmation statements.

Are There Any Penalties For Late Filing?

Penalties for late filing refer to the fines that result from failing to file documents within the time frame required by both Companies House and HMRC. These penalties should not be viewed as simple warnings from an organisation. Instead, they symbolise the proposed consequences that could seriously affect your revenues.

Yes, HMRC handles Corporation Tax returns and VAT returns. However, this depends on the different penalty charges set by each body. This simply means you will have to familiarise yourself with both systems. Of course, the government of the UK cares about filing within deadlines.

Penalties for Late Filing of Confirmation Statement

HMRC takes care of the tax aspect, while Companies House is responsible for maintaining the public record.

The Confirmation Statement (previously known as Annual Return), on the other hand, is an image of your company’s details.

If you ignore the reminders, the penalty is:

• Company Strike-off:

  The company would no longer be in operation, and the Registrar would strike it off and dissolve it.

• Prosecution:

  The directors can also be prosecuted and are liable for a fine of up to £5,000

• Disqualification:

  You may be prohibited from being a director for any company in the UK.

There must be no “automatic” late filing penalties for financial CS returns, in the same way that there are for annual accounts. Your Confirmation Statement (CS) is a “freeze frame“ of your company’s information. So, your company must file it at least once a year, within 12 months. Unfortunately, some company directors do not realise the importance of their company’s Confirmation Statement.

How to Avoid a CS Late Submission?

You will have to be proactive to keep your business in good standing. Since a CS late submission can lead to your bank account being frozen during the strike-off process, staying ahead is key.

• Set Digital Reminders

First, sign up to receive email reminders from Companies House. Second, make sure your contact information is current, so you actually get these reminders. Many companies overlook deadlines simply because the “reminder” was sent to a former office address.

• Professional Softwares

Moreover, since the 2026 digital reforms, using HMRC-compatible software is no longer optional. These tools often come with built-in “prompts” to tell you when a filing is due. Automating the data collection reduces the risk of a last-minute rush.

Please do not take the Confirmation Statement filing lightly. Rather, it is a very important filing on an annual basis where the accuracy of the company information is confirmed. Along with severe consequences in case of its continued disregard.

Penalties for Late Filing Self-Assessment Tax Return

Penalties for late filing in the UK vary greatly, based on the type of return being submitted. Whether it’s Self-Assessment tax returns, Corporation Tax, or Companies House annual accounts, as well as the number of late submissions.

The late filing of the Self Assessment tax return incurs automatic penalties, accruing over time, and this happens whether the taxpayer owes tax or not.

• Late by 1 Day: An immediate fixed penalty of £100 is applied
• Late by 3 Months: Including the initial fine, there is an additional fee of £10 per day up to 90 days, with a maximum of £900.
• Late by 6 Months: An additional fine of 5% of the payable taxes or £300, whichever is the greater.
• Late by 12 Months: Extra penalty of 5% of the taxable amount or £300, whichever is greater.
• Interest: HMRC also imposes interest on any outstanding tax based on the date the particular tax is due. HMRC charges interest at the prevailing late payment interest rate, which is subject to change.

Penalties for Late Filing Corporation Tax Returns (CT600)

The penalties for late filing for the Corporation Tax Return are flat-rate to begin with. These are with tax-related penalties for being too late.

• Late by 1 Day: £100 fee.
• Late by 3 Months: An additional £100 fee.
• Late by 6 Months: There is an additional charge of 10% of the unpaid tax (HMRC issues a “tax determination” notification).
• Late by 12 Months: A further penalty of 10% of the unpaid tax.

Note: If a company files its return late three times consecutively, the £100 fine becomes £500.

Penalties for Late Filing of Companies House Annual Accounts

Penalties for late filing annual accounts with Companies House depend on the type of company (private or public) and the duration of the delay.

Length of Delay	Penalty for a Private Company/LLP	Penalty for a Public Company
Not more than 1 month	£150	£750
More than 1 but not more than 3 months	£375	£1,500
More than 3 but not more than 6 months	£750	£3,000
More than 6 months	£1,500	£7,500

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, the penalties for late filing are a corrective measure. Late filing fines for CS returns are coupled with increased charges from HMRC. A small delay can result in thousands of pounds being lost. Don’t wait until you receive a penalty notice.

Also, the negative implications associated with being marked as “Late” on the public register can deny you any loans or credit from suppliers. Breaching compliance adds to your stress levels. Thus, by knowing the rules and acting beforehand, you can maintain your focus on what’s most important: growing your business.