Every cost, itemised
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Companies House accounts filing | Free | No government fee for accounts |
| Accounts + CT600 prepared & filed (us) | £399 + VAT | Fixed, micro-entity companies |
| Confirmation statement (separate filing) | £34 | Government fee, online |
| Dormant accounts (us) | £80 + VAT | Non-trading companies |
| Late filing penalty | £150–£1,500 | Automatic; doubles for repeat lateness |
| Late CT600 penalty | £100+ | Escalates; tax-geared at 6 months |
The late-filing penalty bands in full
Companies House penalties for a private company filing its accounts late are automatic and rise the longer you leave it:
- Up to 1 month late — £150
- 1 to 3 months late — £375
- 3 to 6 months late — £750
- More than 6 months late — £1,500
These double if you file late two years in a row. HMRC charges separate penalties and interest for a late Corporation Tax return or payment — so “doing nothing” is comfortably the most expensive option of all.
Why 'filing' isn't the expensive part
Submitting accounts takes minutes. The cost lives in what comes first: bookkeeping for the year, accounts in the right format (FRS 105 for micro-entities) with the required statements, and a Corporation Tax computation that claims what you’re entitled to. Done well, the tax saved by correct expense and allowance claims routinely covers a meaningful slice of the preparation fee — done badly, you overpay HMRC quietly every year.
The three ways to get accounts filed
- DIY — free except your time and software; sensible only if you’re comfortable with accounting standards and tax computations
- Fixed fee per filing — our model: £399 + VAT for the whole year-end job, agreed up front
- Monthly package — accounts bundled with year-round services; worthwhile when you use those services
Deadline approaching?
If your Companies House date is close, the maths is simple: the first late band is £150 and the third is £750. Records to us promptly and the fixed fee usually beats the penalty. Call 0114 327 1480.