Companies House Filing Changes Delayed Until 2028 – What Small Businesses Need to Know
If you’re a company director, there’s an important update from Companies House that deserves a place on your radar.
Following extensive consultation with businesses and stakeholders, a number of planned reforms to company accounts filing requirements have been pushed back by 12 months. The changes, originally due to take effect from 1 April 2027, will now come into force from 1 April 2028. While that may sound like a long way off, these reforms represent some of the biggest changes to accounts filing in recent years. Understanding what is changing now will help you avoid any last-minute surprises later.
What’s changing?
Small companies and micro-entities will need to file profit and loss accounts
At present, many small companies and micro-entities can submit abbreviated information to Companies House without filing a profit and loss account. From 1 April 2028, this will change. Small companies and micro-entities will be required to submit their profit and loss accounts as part of their annual filing. However, Companies House has confirmed that businesses will have the option to opt out of having this profit and loss information published on the public register. Full details of how this process will work are expected in due course.
Accounts must be filed using software
The days of filing annual accounts through Companies House’s existing online services are coming to an end.
All companies will be required to file their annual accounts using commercial software in iXBRL format, bringing accounts filing more in line with the way corporation tax returns are already submitted to HMRC. For many businesses already working with an accountant or using cloud accounting software, this may involve little or no change. However, those still relying on manual processes should begin considering their options.
Abridged accounts will disappear
The option to file abridged accounts will be removed entirely. This is part of the wider drive towards greater consistency and transparency in company reporting.
Audit exemption rules will tighten
Companies claiming an audit exemption will need to provide a strengthened eligibility statement confirming they qualify for the exemption. For most genuinely eligible businesses, this should be straightforward, but it does place additional responsibility on directors to ensure the exemption criteria are properly considered.
Everything must be filed together
The various components of annual accounts and reports will need to be submitted as a complete package. This change aims to improve the quality and completeness of information held by Companies House.
Less flexibility around accounting periods
The number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period will also be reduced. While this won’t affect most businesses regularly, it may limit planning opportunities where accounting dates have historically been adjusted.
Why the delay matters
The postponement until 1 April 2028 gives companies valuable breathing space. Businesses now effectively have one full accounting year, plus a further nine months to prepare for the new requirements. That means there is time to review your processes, ensure your software is suitable and understand how the changes may affect your business.
What should you do now?
For many companies, particularly those already using accounting software or working closely with their accountant, the answer may simply be: not very much. However, it is worth having a conversation about whether your current systems and filing processes are fit for purpose ahead of the changes.
Companies House has also confirmed that it will contact all registered email addresses between 16 and 18 June 2026 with further guidance and information.
Final thoughts
Changes to compliance requirements are rarely anyone’s favourite topic, but being prepared is always better than scrambling to catch up at the last minute. Taking a few minutes now to understand what’s coming could save a lot of stress down the line. And if you’re unsure how these changes apply to your business, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
