What you owe after incorporation: UK LTD filing obligations in plain English

A UK company is cheap to run and easy to keep compliant, but only if you know what is due. The penalties are automatic, which means nobody chases you before they apply. Here is the whole picture.

1. Confirmation statement (Companies House)

Due once every twelve months. It confirms your registered office, directors, shareholders, persons with significant control and SIC codes are still correct. The filing fee is £50 a year.

It takes minutes if nothing has changed. Failing to file is serious: persistent failure can lead to the company being struck off the register and to director disqualification.

2. Annual accounts (Companies House)

Due nine months after your accounting reference date; the first set is due 21 months after incorporation. Most small companies file abridged or micro-entity accounts, which disclose comparatively little publicly.

Late filing penalties escalate with delay, from £150 up to £1,500 for a private company, and they double if you are late two years running.

3. Corporation Tax return (HMRC)

Due twelve months after the end of your accounting period, but the tax itself is payable nine months and one day after the period ends, so payment comes before the return deadline. Plan cash flow around the payment date, not the filing date.

Rates at the time of writing: 19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief in between.

4. VAT, if it applies

Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes the threshold (£90,000 at the time of writing). Non-established taxable persons, meaning companies with no UK establishment, can face a nil threshold for certain UK-based supplies, so if you sell goods located in the UK, get advice early rather than assuming the standard threshold protects you.

5. PAYE, if you pay yourself a salary

Paying a salary means registering as an employer and running payroll with Real Time Information submissions to HMRC. Many non-resident directors take profits as dividends instead, which avoids PAYE, but the right split depends on your country of residence.

A simple annual rhythm

• Month 12: confirmation statement due, a short review of your details
• Month 21: first annual accounts due
• Month 21 (and 9 months + 1 day after each period end): Corporation Tax payment
• Ongoing: keep records of every invoice, receipt and bank transaction for six years

We send reminders before each first-year deadline and can file your confirmation statement for you. Accounts and tax returns are work for a qualified accountant. This article is general information, not tax advice.