Company accounts overdue?
Late accounts carry an automatic, escalating penalty — and can lead to strike-off. Here’s the scale of it, and how to deal with it quickly.
What this means
- The late-filing penalty for a private company is £150 (up to 1 month), £375 (up to 3 months), £750 (up to 6 months) or £1,500 (over 6 months).
- The penalty doubles if you file late two years in a row.
- Persistent failure to file accounts is itself a ground for strike-off — so it’s not just about the fine.
How to put it right
- 1
Check your status
Run a free health check to see whether accounts are overdue and what else needs attention.
- 2
Talk to us
Accounts preparation sits outside our self-service filing — so we’ll help you get it dealt with and point you to the right route.
- 3
Stop it getting worse
Getting accounts filed stops the penalty growing and protects the company from strike-off.
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We deal with strike-offs, overdue filings and identity verification every day. If we can’t help, we’ll tell you who can.
Check your company free →Frequently asked questions
How much is the late filing penalty for accounts?
For a private company it’s £150 if up to a month late, £375 up to three months, £750 up to six months, and £1,500 if more than six months late — and it doubles if you file late two years running.
Can I appeal a late filing penalty?
Companies House only cancels penalties in limited circumstances, where something genuinely exceptional stopped you filing on time. It’s worth getting advice before appealing — we can point you in the right direction.
Will my company be struck off for overdue accounts?
It can be. Persistent failure to file accounts is a ground for compulsory strike-off, and is often accompanied by an overdue confirmation statement. Filing what’s outstanding is what stops the action.
Can you file my accounts for me?
Accounts preparation and filing sits outside our self-service Companies House filings, but we’ll check where your company stands and help you get it handled by the right person.
We’re TaxStats ID, an authorised Companies House agent (ACSP AP006589) from TaxStats Ltd — independent, and not Companies House or GOV.UK. We’ll do what we can and, for anything outside what we handle, we’ll tell you honestly and point you to the right person. Prefer to talk? Call 0161 317 8556.