Coronavirus guidance regarding Companies House late filing penalties
20th March 2020 
General 
CHW Accounting
All companies are required to send their accounts, reports and confirmation statements to Companies House every year. If a company’s accounts are filed late, the law imposes an automatic penalty.
Companies House have announced measures to support companies who are likely to file their year end accounts or confirmation statements late.
If you do not apply for an extension and your accounts are filed late, the registrar has very limited discretion not to impose the penalty.
If Coronavirus has affected your company and you need more time to file your accounts or confirmation statement an application must be submitted to Companies House in advance of the filing deadline, which will be reviewed and if successful an extension will be granted.
Companies House treat each appeal on a case-by-case basis. Policies are already in place to deal with appeals based upon unforeseen poor health. Appeals based upon COVID-19 will be considered under these policies.
A private company has nine months from the end of the accounting reference period in which to deliver its accounts. A public company has 6 months. However if you change the accounting reference period the filing time may be reduced.
If you are a director of the company then you are personally responsible for ensuring you deliver your accounts before the time allowed runs out. Delivery means actual receipt at Companies House in the correct format.
There are now restrictions to public access to all Companies House offices and the delivery of paper documents. You should file your accounts online if you’re able to.
If you need assistance putting together an appeal to Companies House in order to avoid a late filing penalty or help filing your accounts online get in touch. We are here to support you in any way we can.
This article is for general guidance only. It provides an outline, and may not include points which are important to your situation. You should not depend on this blog without taking advice based on the full facts of your case. The information given was correct at the time of publication.
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