UK Company Filing Deadlines 2026/27: The Complete Compliance Calendar

Missing a Companies House or HMRC filing deadline is not just inconvenient — it results in automatic fines, penalties that compound daily, and in some cases personal liability for directors. This calendar covers every key deadline for UK private limited companies so you can plan the year ahead.

Companies House deadlines

Confirmation statement

Every UK company must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months. The deadline is 14 days after the anniversary of either your incorporation date or your last confirmation statement. The filing fee is £34 online (£62 on paper). Missing this deadline triggers a late filing notice and can ultimately lead to compulsory strike-off.

Key facts

• Due: annually, within 14 days of your review period end date
• Fee: £34 (online) / £62 (paper)
• Late penalty: companies can be struck off the register

Annual accounts (private companies)

Private limited companies must file their annual accounts at Companies House within 9 months of their accounting year end. For example, if your year end is 31 December 2025, your accounts must be filed by 30 September 2026.

• First accounts: 21 months from incorporation
• Subsequent accounts: 9 months from year end
• Late penalty: £150 (up to 1 month late) rising to £1,500 (6+ months)
• If late two years running: penalties double

HMRC deadlines

Corporation Tax return (CT600)

Your Corporation Tax return must be filed within 12 months of your accounting period end. However, payment of Corporation Tax is due earlier — 9 months and 1 day after your accounting year end. This means you owe the tax before you have to file the return.

• CT600 filing: 12 months after accounting year end
• Corporation Tax payment: 9 months + 1 day after year end
• Interest: charged from the day after payment is due
• Late filing penalty: £100 (up to 3 months), rising steeply thereafter

VAT returns

If your company is VAT registered, returns are due 1 month and 7 days after the end of each VAT period (usually quarterly). Payment is due on the same date as the return. Most businesses now submit via Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software.

• Quarterly: 1 month + 7 days after quarter end
• Monthly (large companies): same deadline, monthly cycle
• Annual accounting scheme: 2 months after year end

PAYE and payroll

PAYE payments must reach HMRC by the 22nd of each month (19th if paying by post). Real Time Information (RTI) Full Payment Submissions must be sent on or before each pay day.

Self Assessment (directors)

Directors who receive dividends or have income outside PAYE need to file a Self Assessment tax return. The deadline is 31 January for online filing (31 October for paper). Payment of any tax owed is also due by 31 January.

2026/27 key dates at a glance

Deadline	What it is	Who it applies to
31 January 2027	Self Assessment filing & payment	Directors with dividends / additional income
9 months + 1 day after year end	Corporation Tax payment	All limited companies
12 months after year end	CT600 filing	All limited companies
9 months after year end	Annual accounts (Companies House)	Private limited companies
14 days after review period	Confirmation statement	All limited companies
1 month + 7 days after quarter end	VAT return & payment	VAT-registered companies
22nd of each month	PAYE payment to HMRC	Employers with staff

How to make sure you never miss a deadline

The most common reason companies miss deadlines is simple: nobody had the date in their calendar, or it was in someone's head and that person was on holiday. A few practical steps help:

1. Know your year end and calculate each deadline from it — write them all down in one place.
2. Set reminders at least 30 days before each deadline, not the day before.
3. Make sure your accountant and at least one director both have the dates.
4. Use a tool that sends automatic reminders — especially useful as the company grows and the number of deadlines increases.