Got a reminder that your confirmation statement is overdue? First things first: don’t panic.
There are no automatic financial penalties for filing late, and sorting it out is genuinely straightforward. Here’s everything you need to know to get it filed and put your mind at ease.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement (officially known as form CS01) is a document that all UK limited companies and LLPs must file with Companies House. It confirms that the information Companies House holds about your business is accurate and up to date.
Confirmation statements replaced annual returns back in 2016. Think of it less as a form and more as a yearly check-in.
When Is a Confirmation Statement Due?
You have 14 days after the end of your 12-month review period to file.
- New companies — your deadline is 12 months from your incorporation date, plus 14 days.
- Established companies — check the ‘statement date’ on your last confirmation statement. That’s when your new review period began.
Once those 14 days are up, your statement is officially overdue.
You can also file early if anything changes — like your registered address — and you want to notify Companies House sooner.
Is There a Penalty for Filing Late?
Here’s the good news: no, there is no automatic fine for a late confirmation statement.
But — and it’s an important but — that is not an excuse to ignore it indefinitely.
Under the Companies Act 2006, deliberately ignoring Companies House can result in a fine of up to £5,000. And if you continue to avoid their reminders, they have the power to take legal action and strike your company off the register entirely.
So while there is no need to stress, you should still file as soon as you can.
How to File an Overdue Confirmation Statement
The process is exactly the same whether you’re filing on time or late. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Check Your Company Details
Before you file, make sure Companies House has the correct information for your business. You can search the register to check. The key details to verify are:
- Registered company address
- Single alternative inspection location (SAIL address), if applicable
- Directors and company secretary
- People with significant control (PSC) — anyone with more than 25% ownership
- Registered company email address
Everything looking right? Great. Move on.
Step 2: Update Anything That’s Out of Date
If any details have changed, update them through the Companies House WebFiling service before you submit your confirmation statement. It is important to get this right before you confirm.
Step 3: File the Confirmation Statement
Once your details are accurate, you can file your confirmation statement through WebFiling. At this stage, you can also update:
- The nature of your business (SIC codes)
- Statement of capital
- Trading status of shares
- Shareholder information
- Exemption from keeping a PSC register
You can also authorise someone — like an accountant — to file on your behalf digitally. If you would rather hand the whole thing over, get in touch and we will take care of it for you.
Step 4: Pay the Annual Fee
There are no late filing penalties, but there is an annual fee attached to the confirmation statement:
- £34 if you file online
- £62 if you file by post
It is worth knowing that this fee is tied to a 12-month payment period, not your review period. That means you only pay once per payment period — even if you file multiple confirmation statements within it.
For example: if your payment period runs from 1 January to 31 December, and you file in August, you pay the fee then. If you need to file again in November, no additional fee is due until the next payment period begins.
Never Miss a Deadline Again
The easiest way to avoid this situation in future is to sign up for email reminders from Companies House. They will send you prompts throughout the year so your deadline never sneaks up on you.
Or, if you would rather not think about it at all, we can handle your confirmation statement — along with your year-end accounts and company tax return — so you can focus on actually running your business.
