Limited company guide
What dormant means, what still has to be filed, and how to keep a company dormant properly.
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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Xero Gold PartnerCertified advisor
QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityA company is dormant for Companies House purposes if it has had no significant accounting transactions in the period. Filing fees and the initial share capital payment do not count against dormancy.
What dormant means
What still gets filed
Keeping it dormant
A company is dormant for Companies House purposes if it has had no significant accounting transactions in the period. Filing fees and the initial share capital payment do not count against dormancy.
HMRC uses a slightly different concept of dormancy for corporation tax, so a company can be dormant for one and not the other. Tell HMRC separately if the company has stopped trading.
Dormant accounts to Companies House within nine months of the accounting reference date, and a confirmation statement each year with the £34 fee.
Once HMRC has agreed the company is dormant, it will usually stop issuing notices to file a CT600, but check any notice you receive rather than ignoring it.
Do not let bank charges, interest or small payments run through a company account, because a single significant transaction ends dormancy. Many directors close the bank account entirely.
Thresholds, rates and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position. Check current GOV.UK guidance, or ask us, before you rely on them for your own company.
Local help
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
Sometimes. Strike-off costs a small fee, but you lose the name and the incorporation date. Dormancy costs little and keeps the company available.
It can, but any transaction other than the permitted exceptions ends dormancy.
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.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
