Simultaneous filing to HMRC + Companies House. Full, abridged, or micro-entity accounts. Authentication managed. Public record updated in 24-48 hours.
Same iXBRL accounts file sent to both HMRC and Companies House. No duplicate work. Complete compliance in one go.
No extra cost for dual filing. Both HMRC and Companies House submissions included in fixed price. Most services charge separately for each registry—we don't.
Companies House allows smaller companies to file abbreviated accounts. Different rules apply depending on company size.
Smallest companies (turnover ≤£632k, assets ≤£316k, employees ≤10)
Small companies (turnover ≤£10.2m, assets ≤£5.1m, employees ≤50)
Medium/large companies or those choosing full disclosure
We handle all three types at the same fixed price. Many companies qualify for abridged filing but don't realize it—we'll advise which option minimizes public disclosure while staying compliant. Note: HMRC always receives full accounts regardless of what you file with Companies House (abridged filing only applies to public record).
Different from HMRC code. 6-character code (letters only, e.g., AABBCC) sent by Companies House when company was incorporated or when you registered for WebFiling.
Enter in portal alongside HMRC code. Looks like "AABBCC" (6 letters, no numbers). Stored securely for next year.
Request online via Companies House WebFiling login (instant). Or call 0303 1234 500 (UK) for postal reissue (5-7 days).
Companies House sends code automatically after incorporation (mailed to registered office). If not received, request reissue online.
Once you provide both HMRC and CH codes, we store encrypted and reuse automatically for recurring filings. No need to re-enter each year.
What happens after we submit your accounts to Companies House WebFiling.
Companies House WebFiling Gateway receives iXBRL file, performs instant validation (schema, company number match, auth code verification). Returns acceptance or rejection. If accepted, document ID issued (e.g., "MzEyMzQ1Njc4OQ==" base64 string).
Submission AcceptedCompanies House queues document for detailed processing. XBRL validation checks performed (taxonomy compliance, context consistency, calculation validation). PDF rendering generated for public viewing (iXBRL converted to human-readable PDF). Status: "Processing—not yet available on public register."
ProcessingCompanies House performs automated QA checks. Flags reviewed: balance sheet totals match, correct taxonomy version used, accounting period matches company's year-end, no duplicate submission for same period. 99.5% pass automatically. 0.5% flagged for manual review (unusual entries, large asset/liability changes).
QA ReviewAccounts appear on public Companies House register (searchable at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk). PDF available for download (free for basic accounts, £1 for certified copies). Filing history updated: "Accounts filed—31/12/2024 accounts filed on 11/12/2025." Next deadline calculated and displayed.
Public Record LiveCompanies House emails company confirmation once accounts appear on public register. Subject: "Confirmation statement or annual accounts filed for [Company Name]." Email includes: document type filed, filing date, next deadline, link to view on public register. This email is official confirmation—save for records.
CompleteRare, but happens. How we handle rejections and refiling.
What triggers it: Invalid company number, wrong authentication code, incorrect accounting period (doesn't match Companies House records), malformed XML (schema validation failure), duplicate submission (same period already filed).
How we handle it: Gateway returns error code + message (e.g., "Authentication code mismatch"). We diagnose issue, fix, and resubmit within 30 minutes. Usually auth code issue (client gave wrong code) or company number typo—quick fixes.
0.1% of submissions Fixed same day
What triggers it: Gateway accepted initially, but subsequent processing failed. Reasons: Balance sheet doesn't balance (rounding error), XBRL context error (dates inconsistent), calculation relationship broken (tagged values don't add up), taxonomy version mismatch.
How we handle it: Companies House emails rejection notice with error details. Portal shows "Rejected—action required." We fix XBRL issue, validate thoroughly, and refile within 24 hours. No extra charge (covered by resubmission guarantee).
0.4% of submissions Refiled within 24h
If rejection is our fault (tagging error, validation failure, etc.), we fix and refile at no charge. We also cover any late filing penalties up to £500 if delay was our fault (rare—0.5% of cases). If rejection is due to client data issue (accounts don't balance, wrong figures provided), you provide corrected accounts and we re-tag/refile under unlimited revisions policy (no extra charge).
Yes, this is the most common approach for small companies. We prepare two iXBRL files from same source accounts: (1) Full accounts for HMRC (includes all notes, P&L detail, directors' report), (2) Abridged accounts for Companies House (abbreviated balance sheet, no P&L, simplified notes). Both files are tagged from same underlying data—no duplicate accounting work required. Many clients choose this to minimize public disclosure while meeting HMRC's full disclosure requirements.
Typically 24-48 hours after submission. Fastest we've seen: 8 hours (overnight filing appeared next morning). Longest: 4 days (during Companies House system maintenance in December 2024). Average: 36 hours. You can check status on Companies House website (search by company number, view filing history). Once live, public can download PDF for free. Note: Companies House doesn't notify you when accounts go live (email confirmation comes 24-48 hours later)—check website if you need proof sooner.
You must file "revised accounts" (full resubmission). Companies House doesn't allow editing published accounts—you replace entire document. Process: We prepare revised iXBRL accounts (marked as "revised" in notes), submit via WebFiling with new auth code request, pay £15 Companies House filing fee (statutory charge for revisions), takes 24-48 hours to replace public record. Important: Revised accounts must include note explaining reason for revision (e.g., "Directors identified error in deferred tax calculation after original filing"). Old accounts remain visible in filing history with "superseded" label. See our post-filing amendments page for pricing (£150-£300 for Companies House revision).
Yes, even dormant companies must file annual accounts with Companies House (due 9 months after year-end). Exception: Micro-entities can apply for dormant company exemption (file "dormant company accounts" with minimal disclosure). HMRC also requires dormant company CT600 (even if no tax due). We handle dormant filings at reduced price: £200-£350 for both HMRC + Companies House (simpler than active company because fewer transactions). Dormant accounts still require iXBRL tagging (Companies House mandate applies to all limited companies regardless of activity level). Typical dormant filing: balance sheet only, no P&L, note confirming dormancy, still needs directors' approval signature.
HMRC + Companies House filed simultaneously. Next: See how we handle FCA NSM submissions for listed companies.
FCA NSM Filing Back: HMRC Filing
