Limited company guide
A practical guide to the community interest report, what each section must cover, the fee and deadline, and the mistakes that get a CIC filing rejected.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityForm CIC 34 is the annual community interest report every CIC files with its accounts at Companies House, together with the £34 fee. It is the document that justifies the company's continued status and it is read by the Regulator.
What the CIC 34 is
What each section needs to say
Common reasons filings go wrong
Form CIC 34 is the annual community interest report every CIC files with its accounts at Companies House, together with the £34 fee. It is the document that justifies the company's continued status and it is read by the Regulator.
It is filed for the same period as the accounts and shares the same nine month deadline from the accounting reference date. Accounts submitted without it are rejected, which is how CICs end up with late filing penalties.
Activities and impact: what the company actually did in the year and how it benefited the community. Specifics beat mission statements. Numbers served, sessions delivered, outcomes measured.
Consultation with stakeholders: who you consulted, how, and what changed as a result. A statement that no consultation took place is permitted but invites scrutiny.
Directors' remuneration: the amounts paid, not a range. This is a transparency requirement flowing from the asset lock.
Transfers of assets other than for full consideration, dividends declared against the cap, and any performance-related interest on loans.
Filing accounts without the CIC 34, copying last year's narrative unchanged, omitting directors' remuneration, describing intentions rather than activities, and forgetting the fee.
For CICs limited by shares, declaring dividends above the 35% cap on distributable profits is a substantive breach, not a paperwork slip.
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We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
With the annual accounts, within nine months of the accounting reference date. It cannot be filed later as a separate document without the accounts.
£34, payable to the Regulator through Companies House when the accounts and report are submitted.
Yes. A dormant CIC files dormant accounts and still files a community interest report, which will state that no activities were carried out in the period.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
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