HMRC & Companies House Compliance
Missing compliance deadlines costs money and credibility. At Finwave Accountants, we take complete ownership of your HMRC and Companies House obligations — preparing and filing tax returns, annual accounts, VAT returns, and confirmation statements on time, every time.
What we handle for you
Our Compliance & Filing Services
01 — Annual Accounts Preparation & Filing
We prepare full statutory accounts compliant with UK accounting standards and Companies House requirements, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, notes to accounts, and directors’ reports. Accounts are filed electronically to Companies House well before your 9-month deadline, avoiding automatic penalties.
02 — Company Tax (Corporation Tax) Returns
Complete corporation tax return (CT600) preparation and filing with HMRC within the 12-month deadline. We calculate your tax liability accurately, identify all allowable deductions and reliefs, claim capital allowances and R&D credits where applicable, and coordinate tax payment timing (due 9 months and 1 day after period end).
03 — Confirmation Statements
Every UK company must file a confirmation statement at least annually, verifying that company details held by Companies House are accurate and current. We prepare and file your confirmation statement within the required timeframe, updating information about directors, shareholders, share capital, registered office, SIC codes, and People with Significant Control (PSCs).
04 — VAT Returns & Filing
Quarterly or monthly VAT return preparation and submission to HMRC under Making Tax Digital requirements. We use MTD-compatible software, reconcile your sales and purchase VAT, identify allowable input VAT claims, handle complex scenarios including partial exemption and reverse charges, and submit returns electronically by deadline.
05 — Self-Assessment Tax Returns
Personal tax return preparation and filing for company directors, sole traders, partners, and individuals with complex tax affairs. We gather income information from all sources, claim all allowable deductions and reliefs, calculate tax liability including payments on account, and file online by the 31 January deadline.
06 — Dormant Company Accounts
Even dormant companies must file annual accounts and confirmation statements with Companies House. We prepare simplified dormant accounts meeting all requirements at minimal cost, file them on time to avoid penalties and potential strike-off, and maintain your company’s good standing for future reactivation.
07 — Identity Verification Services
As Authorised Corporate Service Providers, we conduct identity verification for company directors and PSCs to Companies House standards. From 18 November 2025, all directors must verify their identity and obtain a Companies House personal code before filing company documents. We handle the full verification process.
08 — Deadline Management & Monitoring
We maintain a comprehensive deadline calendar for all your compliance obligations — annual accounts, corporation tax returns, confirmation statements, VAT returns, self-assessment, and PAYE submissions. You will receive advance reminders, but more importantly, we file everything proactively without you needing to chase.
Ussama Tiwana ACCA — Author & Technical Reviewer · Director, Finwave Accountants
Last reviewed 18 January 2026
Compliance & Filing Questions Answered
When are annual accounts due at Companies House?
For most UK limited companies, annual accounts must be filed 9 months after your financial year ends. For example, if your year-end is 31 March 2025, your accounts filing deadline is 31 December 2025. For newly incorporated companies, the first accounts deadline is 21 months from the date of incorporation. Missing the deadline triggers automatic penalties. We file accounts at least one month before deadlines, giving you time to review and ensuring no risk of penalties.
What are the penalties for late filing at Companies House?
Companies House imposes automatic penalties for late accounts filing: £150 if filed up to 1 month late, £375 if 1–3 months late, £750 if 3–6 months late, and £1,500 if more than 6 months late. These penalties double if accounts were also late the previous year. Additionally, persistent late filing can result in company strike-off from the register and potential prosecution of directors.
What is a confirmation statement and when is it due?
A confirmation statement confirms your company’s registered information is accurate and up to date, including directors, shareholders, share capital, SIC codes, and People with Significant Control (PSCs). Every UK company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months, within 14 days after the end of your review period. Filing costs £34 online or £62 by post. All directors and PSCs must now verify their identity and provide Companies House personal codes before filing.
When is corporation tax due and when must I file the return?
Corporation tax payment is due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends. The corporation tax return (CT600) must be filed 12 months after the accounting period ends. Note these are different deadlines — you must pay the tax before filing the return. Large companies (profits over £1.5 million) pay quarterly instalments instead. Late payment incurs interest charges from the due date; late filing penalties start at £100 for up to 3 months late.
Can I extend my Companies House filing deadline?
Companies House grants extensions only in exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, such as serious illness, bereavement, or fire or flood destroying records immediately before the deadline. You must apply before your normal filing deadline, and approval is not guaranteed — most applications are rejected. If approved, you typically receive only one additional month. We recommend simply filing on time.
Do dormant companies need to file accounts?
Yes. All UK limited companies must file annual accounts and confirmation statements with Companies House, even if dormant or not trading. Dormant companies can file simplified dormant accounts, which are much shorter and simpler than full accounts, but must still meet the 9-month filing deadline. The same automatic penalties (£150 and upwards) apply as for active companies. Many company owners mistakenly think dormant companies are exempt — they are not.
What happens if I miss the self-assessment deadline?
Missing the 31 January online self-assessment filing deadline triggers automatic penalties: £100 immediately, then £10 daily after 3 months (maximum £900), £300 or 5% of tax due after 6 months, and another £300 or 5% after 12 months. Interest also accrues daily on unpaid tax. If you have missed the deadline, file immediately to stop daily penalties accruing, pay what you can to reduce interest, and contact us to minimise penalties and negotiate time-to-pay arrangements if needed.
How do I verify my identity for Companies House?
From 18 November 2025, all company directors and PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House and obtain a personal code before filing most company documents. You can verify yourself online with GOV.UK One Login. As Authorised Corporate Service Providers, we can verify identity on your behalf, checking documents to Companies House standards and assisting with the personal code application.
What is Making Tax Digital and how does it affect my business?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is HMRC’s initiative requiring businesses to keep digital records and submit returns using MTD-compatible software. MTD for VAT is already mandatory for most VAT-registered businesses. MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment affects sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000 annually from April 2026, requiring quarterly submissions summarising income and expenses. We use MTD-compliant systems, ensuring automatic compliance with all MTD requirements.
Ready for Stress-Free Compliance?
Stop worrying about deadlines and penalties. Book a free consultation and discover how we make compliance simple and predictable.