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Companies House guide

Companies House late filing penalties explained

Companies House accounts penalties use bands based on how late the accounts are, and private and public company amounts differ.

Last reviewed
18 July 2026
Sources checked
18 July 2026
Reading time
6 minutes

Written by Business Sorted editorial team

Business Sorted provides general educational information and organisation tools. It is not Companies House, HMRC, a solicitor, an accountant, a tax adviser or a regulated professional adviser. Check official sources and get professional advice where your circumstances need it.

Direct answer

For private limited companies, GOV.UK lists late accounts penalties of GBP 150, GBP 375, GBP 750 or GBP 1,500 depending on how late the accounts are. The penalty is doubled if accounts are late 2 years in a row.

Key facts

  • Private company accounts penalties currently range from GBP 150 to GBP 1,500 depending on lateness.
  • Public company penalties are different from private company penalties.
  • Penalties are doubled if accounts are late 2 years in a row.
  • Companies House provides official payment and appeal routes.

Penalty bands for private companies

GOV.UK lists private limited company penalties by time after the deadline: up to 1 month, 1 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, and more than 6 months. The listed amounts are GBP 150, GBP 375, GBP 750 and GBP 1,500 respectively.

Public limited company penalties are different. Always check the official page and the penalty notice for the company’s exact position.

Repeat late filing

GOV.UK says the penalty is doubled if the accounts are late 2 years in a row. This makes repeat late filing materially different from a one-off delay.

Penalty amounts and processes can change, so keep the official source link with any internal checklist or reminder.

Appeals and payment

Companies House provides an appeal route for accounts late filing penalties. GOV.UK says appeals usually need unexpected circumstances close to the deadline or an error by Companies House.

Reasons such as the company being dormant, not being able to pay, relying on an accountant or these being first accounts are listed as unlikely to succeed. This guide is not advice on whether an appeal should be made.

Frequently asked questions

Does this penalty guide cover late confirmation statements?

No. This page focuses on accounts late filing penalties. Late confirmation statements follow a different enforcement route.

Can I appeal because the company is dormant?

GOV.UK says an appeal is not likely to be successful if the reason is that the company is dormant.

Related guides

What happens if company accounts are filed late?Understand the practical Companies House consequences of late company accounts and the next steps directors should consider.Annual accounts guide for UK limited company directorsUnderstand what annual accounts are, common Companies House filing deadlines and how accounts differ from HMRC Company Tax Returns.When are first company accounts due?Understand the special first accounts deadline for private limited companies and why it can differ from later annual accounts deadlines.Companies House deadlines explainedA plain-English overview of the main Companies House deadlines UK limited-company directors should track and how they differ from HMRC dates.

Useful next steps

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Relevant feature: Accounts penalty risk reminders.

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