Short answer
Companies House issues an automatic penalty: £150 up to one month late, £375 up to three months, £750 up to six months and £1,500 beyond that. The penalty doubles if the previous year was also filed late.
Accounts & filing
What happens if I file my company accounts late?
Late accounts trigger automatic Companies House penalties from £150 to £1,500, doubled for a second consecutive year, plus separate HMRC penalties and the.
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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Companies House issues an automatic penalty: £150 up to one month late, £375 up to three months, £750 up to six months and £1,500 beyond that. The penalty doubles if the previous year was also filed late.
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What follows the penalty
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Getting back on track
What follows the penalty
The penalty is a company debt, and directors who ignore it face enforcement. Persistent failure to file is a criminal offence for the directors personally, and the registrar can begin compulsory strike off, which puts any company assets at risk of passing to the Crown.
Late accounts also sit permanently on the public register. Lenders, credit agencies and prospective clients see the overdue marker, and credit limits are often cut before you notice.
Getting back on track
File the overdue accounts first, even if imperfect, because the penalty grows by band, not by day. Then deal with HMRC's separate penalties for a late CT600 and any interest on unpaid corporation tax.
If the delay was caused by missing records, we price the catch-up bookkeeping up front and work to the next penalty band as the target rather than a vague date.
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.
Local help
Talk to a limited company accountant near you
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
What happens if I file my company accounts late?: questions directors ask
Is the penalty per year or per filing?
Per set of accounts. Two overdue years mean two penalties, and the second is doubled.
Can I pay the penalty personally?
It is the company's liability. Paying it personally is a director's loan unless recorded as a capital introduction.
Will HMRC penalise me as well?
Yes, separately, for a late company tax return. The two sets of penalties are unrelated to each other.
What records are needed for what happens if i file my company accounts late?
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 happens if i file my company accounts late 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 happens if i file my company accounts late 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 happens if i file my company accounts late 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 happens if i file my company accounts late?
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 happens if i file my company accounts late?
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 happens if i file my company accounts late 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.