Glossary

Companies House

Krishna Prasad Dahal, Chartered Accountant

Reviewed by Krishna Prasad Dahal FCCA, ACA (ICAEW), FCA (ICAI India)ICAEW Council Member · Last reviewed

Definition

Companies House is the UK’s registrar of companies, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade. It incorporates and dissolves limited companies, keeps the public register of company details, directors and people with significant control, and receives annual accounts and confirmation statements. It is separate from HMRC, which collects tax, so most companies file with both each year.

Companies House vs HMRC

Companies House HMRC
Role Public register of companies Tax authority
Main yearly filings Annual accounts, confirmation statement CT600 with accounts and tax computations
Accounts or return deadline 9 months after the accounting reference date (private company) 12 months after the end of the accounting period
Key code 6-character authentication code 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

For more on who receives your company accounts, see the annual accounts guide.

Fees and identity checks

Filing annual accounts is free. Since 1 February 2026 the confirmation statement has cost £50 online or £110 on paper.

Identity verification has been a legal requirement since 18 November 2025. New directors verify before appointment and existing directors by the company’s next confirmation statement, using GOV.UK One Login or an authorised corporate service provider. People with significant control must verify too.

Changes from April 2028

From 1 April 2028, Companies House will accept accounts only through commercial software.

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