Ltd.Field Notes
Deadlines

Six dates that followfrom one certificate.

Everything Companies House and HMRC expect from a new company is measured from the date of incorporation. Put it in and read them off.

The date on the certificate, not the day you opened a bank account or sent the first invoice. Companies House measures everything from it.

Dates are worked out from the published rules on GOV.UK, checked 2026-09-04. Companies House can move an accounting reference date on application, and a first Corporation Tax period longer than twelve months splits into two returns.

The rules the calculator uses

No interpretation. These are the published rules with the page each one comes from.

FilingWho wants itDeadlineSource
Incorporation
IN01
Companies HouseOnce, at the startgov.uk
Confirmation statement
CS01
Companies HouseWithin 14 days of the end of each 12 month review periodgov.uk
Annual accounts
AA
Companies House21 months after registration for the first set, then 9 months after each financial year endgov.uk
Company Tax Return
CT600
HMRC12 months after the end of the accounting periodgov.uk
Corporation Tax payment
CT PAY
HMRC9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting periodgov.uk

What late costs

Companies House penalties for a private limited company.

Up to 1 month late
£150
1 to 3 months late
£375
3 to 6 months late
£750
More than 6 months late
£1,500

Doubled if accounts are late two years running. Source: gov.uk/annual-accounts/penalties-for-late-filing