Late filing penalty calculator.
See what filing annual accounts late actually costs — the official Companies House penalty bands from £150 to £7,500, including the doubling rule when accounts are late two years running.
Your accounts filing
Enter both dates to check the band. The bands below are the official Companies House table.
| How late | Private / LLP | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 1 month | £150.00 | £750.00 |
| More than 1 month but not more than 3 months | £375.00 | £1,500.00 |
| More than 3 months but not more than 6 months | £750.00 | £3,000.00 |
| More than 6 months | £1,500.00 | £7,500.00 |
How the penalty is worked out
The penalty is automatic and banded: what matters is how long after your filing deadline the accounts actually reach Companies House — not when you posted them or when your accountant finished them. The bands run at 1, 3 and 6 months past the deadline, measured by the same corresponding-date rule the deadline itself uses. The official table is on gov.uk’s late filing penalties page.
Two details catch people out. First, the doubling rule: late two financial years in a row and the second penalty doubles automatically — the calculator’s checkbox applies it. Second, rejected accounts: if your accounts are rejected for a defect and the corrected set arrives after the deadline, the penalty still applies. Filing at the last minute leaves no room for a bounce.
Not sure when your deadline actually is? Work it out with the company deadlines calculator — accounts, Corporation Tax and confirmation statement dates from your year end.
Quick answers
How much is the Companies House late filing penalty?
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For a private company or LLP: £150 up to 1 month late, £375 between 1 and 3 months, £750 between 3 and 6 months, and £1,500 beyond 6 months. Public companies pay £750, £1,500, £3,000 and £7,500 across the same bands.
Does the penalty really double?
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Yes — if your accounts are filed late in two successive financial years, the second year's penalty is automatically doubled. A private company one day late for the second year running pays £300, not £150.
Can I appeal a late filing penalty?
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You can appeal, but Companies House only allows appeals in exceptional circumstances — an unforeseen event outside your control shortly before the deadline. Pressure of work, reliance on an accountant, or postal delay are explicitly not accepted. Plan to file on time rather than to appeal.
Is the confirmation statement penalised the same way?
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No — there is no civil penalty scale for a late confirmation statement. The risk is different and worse: it is a criminal offence for the company and its officers, and Companies House can begin striking the company off the register.
This calculator is general information for UK limited companies, not legal, tax, accounting or company secretarial advice. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to us or stored. Rates and rules change; check the linked official guidance and speak to your accountant about your own situation.
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