On 1 July 2020, Companies House announced the automatic extension of Company accounts filing deadline to give more time to businesses to prepare and submit their accounts during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This is great news for UK companies.
Prior to this date, an individual company must apply to extend to Companies House for an additional 3 months to submit their accounts. This is no longer the requirement.
From 27 June 2020, If your company accounts’ filing deadline falls between 27 June 2020 to 5 April 2021, you will get an automatic extension of your company accounts’ filing deadline. You do not have to do anything. Companies House will update their public register to show your new company accounts’ filing deadline.
Go to the Companies House website to check your new filing deadline.
Additional 3 months extension
Generally, you will get an additional 3 months to submit your accounts, except that this time you do not have to apply for it. It is automatically extended to your company. This extension includes dormant company account too.
Private limited companies (LTD) accounts
For examples, a private limited company with an accounting year-end date of 31 March 2020. Companies House will extend your filing deadline to 31 March 2021. You will have 12 months to submit your accounts instead of the standard 9 months filing deadline.
Public limited companies (PLCs) accounts
Likewise, for a public limited company with an accounting year-end date of 31 March 2020. Companies House will extend your filing deadline to 31 December 2020. You would have 9 months to submit your PLC accounts instead of the 6 months filing deadline.
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) accounts
Similarly, LLPs accounts filing deadline would be extended. After the extension, A LLP would have 12 months to submit their accounts to Companies House instead of the 9 months deadline. For instance, if your LLP has an accounting year-end date of 31 January 2020, your new filing deadline will be extended to 31 January 2021.
Overseas Companies accounts filing deadline
Companies House grants Overseas companies who are required to prepare and submit company accounts under their parent law a further 3 months to submit their accounts. To put it simply, Overseas companies now have 6 months to submit their accounts to Companies House.
Societas Europaea (SEs) accounts filing deadline
SEs’ accounts filing deadline will be extended from 6 months to 9 months.
For PLCs and SEs only
Please also refer to the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.
I applied for an extension online previously
If you have applied for an extension online prior to this announcement then Companies House will not give a further extension. Check Companies House website for your company accounts’ filing deadline.
In short, the maximum filing deadline extension allowed per company or partnership is 3 months. If you are already be given 3 months extension previously then you would not be given another 3 months extension.
Take note for PLCs and SEs accounts filing deadline under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.
Other Companies House documents filing deadline changes
Companies House also will grant an automatic extension for the following filings:
- Confirmation statement.
- Events driven filings
- Mortgage charges
If you require help with your company accounts preparation and filing, contact our accountants. We would be able to assist you.
Read the full guidance here.