Running a limited company means two separate sets of filing obligations, two different deadlines, and two different government bodies to satisfy. This guide explains exactly what you need to file, when you need to file it, and what happens if you miss a deadline.

Why limited company accounts matter more than most directors realise

When you set up a limited company, you take on a legal duty to file accounts and tax returns every year. This is not optional and it does not pause if your company is quiet or makes a loss. Private limited companies must prepare full statutory accounts and a Company Tax Return after each financial year ends, regardless of their size or turnover.

Most new directors are surprised to discover there are two separate filing obligations. One set of accounts goes to Companies House. A separate Company Tax Return goes to HMRC. They have different deadlines, different formats, and different penalties for late filing. Getting one right does not cover you for the other.

Where most directors go wrong with their company accounts

The errors that cause real problems are rarely complicated. They are nearly always the result of not knowing the rules existed in the first place. Here are the two that come up most often.

Confusing the Companies House deadline with the HMRC deadline

The deadline for filing annual accounts with Companies House is nine months after your company’s financial year ends. The deadline for filing your Company Tax Return with HMRC is twelve months after the end of your accounting period. Many directors assume these are the same date. They are not, and missing either one triggers a separate penalty.

Treating the accounts as something to sort out in the final weeks

Statutory accounts require a full picture of your income, expenses, and balance sheet for the year. If your bookkeeping has not been kept up to date throughout the year, compressing twelve months of records into a few weeks before the deadline is where errors are made and allowable expenses get missed. The accounts are only as accurate as the records behind them.

What to do with your limited company accounts, step by step

The process is straightforward once you know what is involved. There are three stages every director needs to work through each year.

1. Know your deadlines before anything else. Note your company’s financial year end date, then add nine months for the Companies House filing deadline and twelve months for the HMRC Corporation Tax Return deadline. Write both dates down. Missing either triggers a financial penalty.
2. Get your records in order. This means bank statements, sales invoices, purchase receipts, payroll records, and any loan or director’s loan account activity for the year. Clean, organised records mean the accounts can be prepared accurately and allowable expenses are not overlooked.
3. Prepare and file your statutory accounts, then submit your Company Tax Return. The statutory accounts go to Companies House. The Corporation Tax Return, along with the tax computation and supporting accounts, goes to HMRC. Since 1 April 2026, HMRC requires both to be filed using commercial software, not the old free online service.

Once filed, your confirmation statement with Companies House also needs to be kept up to date. This is a separate annual filing that confirms your company’s registered details are correct. It is not the same as your accounts, and it has its own deadline.

Costs and what to realistically expect

The cost of managing your limited company accounts depends on whether you handle it yourself or work with an accountant. DIY is possible for very small, simple companies, but the time involved and the risk of errors means it is rarely the saving it appears. At STZ Accounting, limited company packages start at a fixed fee of £215 per month for companies with turnover up to £100k. That covers monthly bookkeeping, statutory accounts, Corporation Tax Return, Confirmation Statement, payroll, director self assessment, VAT returns, and monthly management reports. There are no hidden extras and no hourly rates.

How to get started with your limited company accounts today

If your year-end is approaching or you are not confident your records are in good shape, the sensible first step is to get clarity on where you actually stand. A short call with David is enough to work out what needs to be done, what your deadlines are, and whether there is anything that needs urgent attention.

• Find your company’s financial year end date on your Companies House record, then calculate your two filing deadlines: nine months for Companies House accounts and twelve months for your HMRC Corporation Tax Return.
• Book a free call with David at STZ Accounting to review your current position. You will leave the call knowing exactly what is outstanding, what your obligations are, and what a fixed-fee package would cover.