Short answer
Dormant accounts at Companies House within nine months of the accounting reference date, and a confirmation statement each year with the £34 fee. No CT600 is needed once HMRC has treated the company as dormant for corporation tax.
Closing down & dormancy
What do I file for a dormant company?
Dormant accounts and a confirmation statement at Companies House each year, plus a corporation tax return only if HMRC requires one. The minimum obligations.
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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Dormant accounts at Companies House within nine months of the accounting reference date, and a confirmation statement each year with the £34 fee. No CT600 is needed once HMRC has treated the company as dormant for corporation tax.
01
What dormant accounts contain
02
Keeping it cheap and clean
What dormant accounts contain
A simple balance sheet, usually showing called up share capital and matching debtors or cash, with notes confirming the company was dormant throughout the period. No profit and loss account is required where there were no transactions.
Dormant accounts can be filed through the Companies House service in minutes where nothing has happened. Where transactions occurred, even small ones, full accounts are needed instead.
Keeping it cheap and clean
Keep the bank account free of charges or close it, avoid any invoices in the company name, and pay filing fees personally where possible. A single bank charge is the most common reason a supposedly dormant company ends up needing full accounts.
The total annual cost of a properly dormant company is the £34 confirmation statement fee plus a small accountancy fee. Compare that with striking off if you have no intention of trading again.
Before you act
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
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Frequently asked
What do I file for a dormant company?: questions directors ask
Do I need to file a CT600?
Only if HMRC has issued a notice to deliver. Once dormancy is accepted, HMRC usually stops requiring returns.
Does dormancy pause the accounts deadline?
No. The nine month deadline and its penalties apply to dormant accounts too.
Can I stay dormant indefinitely?
Yes, provided the filings continue. Many companies stay dormant for years to protect a name.
What records are needed for what do i file for a dormant company?
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.
How much does help with what do i file for a dormant company cost?
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.
Can you take over what do i file for a dormant company from another accountant?
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.
Can what do i file for a dormant company be handled online?
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.
Which accounting software works best for what do i file for a dormant company?
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.
What tax deadlines matter for what do i file for a dormant company?
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.
Is this what do i file for a dormant company guidance personal tax advice?
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.
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Check the current rules
Use official information as your reference point.
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.