Practical guide
Companies House late filing penalties
Understand how Companies House annual accounts late filing penalties are banded and why repeat late filing changes the amount.
What this guide covers
This guide explains the standard penalty bands for private companies and LLPs when annual accounts are filed late with Companies House.
It also highlights the repeat-late filing rule so you can understand why the same delay can produce a higher amount in the next cycle.
Rule summary
Standard Companies House penalty bands
For private companies and LLPs, the standard annual accounts penalty depends on how many calendar months late the filing is.
If the previous financial year was also filed late, the standard penalty is doubled after the late band has been identified.
| Lateness band | Standard penalty |
|---|---|
| On time or early | £0 |
| Not more than 1 month late | £150 |
| More than 1 month but not more than 3 months late | £375 |
| More than 3 months but not more than 6 months late | £750 |
| More than 6 months late | £1,500 |
Worked examples
How the rule behaves in practice
- Filed on the due date: If the effective filing date is the due date itself, the accounts are treated as on time. The calculator returns £0 and confirms that no late filing band applies.
- More than 1 month late: If the filing passes the first calendar-month threshold after the due date, the filing moves into the next penalty band. The estimate moves from £150 to £375 before any repeat-late doubling is applied.
Practical consequences
- Once accounts are late, the issue is not only the money penalty. The overdue filing also creates a visible compliance gap on the public record.
- Repeated lateness tends to make the next cycle harder because the penalty can be doubled and the wider filing position may already be under pressure.
Important limits
- This tool does not cover PLC penalty bands.
- It does not calculate the filing deadline for you.
- Rejected filings, extensions, appeals, or unusual official handling can change the outcome.
Turn the result into an action plan
- Confirm the filing deadline before estimating the penalty.
- If the filing is already overdue, use the related risk and appeal tools rather than stopping at the money amount.
- Move the date into a wider calendar so the same problem does not repeat next year.
Use the tool
Companies House Late Filing Penalty Calculator
Estimate the standard annual accounts late filing penalty for a private company or LLP using the due date, effective filing date, and repeat-late filing status.
FAQ
What happens if the filing date is on the due date?
The estimate returns £0. Filing on or before the due date is treated as on time.
Why does the result use month bands rather than simple day buckets?
Companies House publishes month-based bands. This tool turns those into calendar-month thresholds from the due date.
Does repeat late filing always double the amount?
For this estimate, selecting Yes doubles the standard penalty after the late band has been identified.
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