Companies House accounts filing changes paused: what it means for small companies
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Small companies had been told to expect big changes to how they file accounts from April 2027. Companies House has now confirmed those changes will not be introduced in April 2027, and that companies will get at least 21 months' notice before they are.
What was planned
- Full profit and loss on the public record: small companies would no longer have been able to file abridged or "filleted" accounts, and micro-entities would have filed a profit and loss account too.
- Software-only filing: accounts would have had to be filed through commercial software, rather than Companies House's own online service or on paper.
Where things stand
For now, nothing changes. You can file accounts the same way as before, and filleted accounts are still allowed. The changes are under review and no new date has been set.
What to do now
There's nothing you have to do yet. It's still worth keeping your records in accounting software, because the move to digital filing is very likely to come back in some form, and it already applies to Making Tax Digital. If you don't use software yet, Xero*, QuickBooks*, Sage* and FreeAgent* are the most widely used options in the UK. See our guide to choosing accounting software.
General information only, not professional advice. Correct as at the date shown; rules change, so check GOV.UK or with an accountant before acting.