Your company accounts must be filed at Companies House within 9 months of your accounting reference date. Late filing penalties are automatic — there is no warning letter.
Penalty Schedule
| How Late | Private Company Penalty |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | £150 |
| 1-3 months | £375 |
| 3-6 months | £750 |
| Over 6 months | £1,500 |
Penalties double if you file late two years in a row. See Companies House penalties for more detail.
What Small Companies File
Companies with turnover under £10.2m and fewer than 50 employees qualify as "small" and can file abbreviated accounts — a simpler format that reveals less financial detail to the public.
For the full annual checklist, see UK compliance checklist.