Quick answer: Year-end accounts (also called statutory or annual accounts) are the financial statements every UK limited company must prepare at the end of its financial year and file with Companies House, then use to complete its Corporation Tax return to HMRC. The key deadlines are: file annual accounts with Companies House within 9 months of your year end, pay Corporation Tax within 9 months and 1 day, and file your CT600 tax return within 12 months. Use the checklist below to gather everything, avoid automatic penalties, and file correctly.
Year-end doesn’t have to be stressful but every year thousands of directors scramble for missing receipts, miss a deadline, and get hit with automatic penalties. A clear, methodical checklist is the difference between a smooth filing and a costly one. This guide walks you through exactly what to prepare, when it’s due, the 2026/27 tax rates, and the recent filing changes you need to know about.
What Are Year-End Accounts (Statutory Accounts)?
Year-end accounts are a formal summary of your company’s financial activity over its accounting period (usually 12 months). Every UK limited company must prepare them even if it made no profit, didn’t trade, or is dormant.
A full set of statutory accounts typically includes:
- A balance sheet — what the company owns and owes on the last day of the financial year
- A profit and loss account — income and expenses over the year
- Notes to the accounts explaining the figures
- A director’s report (small companies are usually exempt)
The same figures feed into your Company Tax Return (CT600) for HMRC, which calculates the Corporation Tax you owe. Companies House and HMRC are two separate bodies with separate deadlines — a point that catches out many first-year directors.
Key Year-End Deadlines for Limited Companies (2026/27)
Your deadlines are tied to your accounting reference date (ARD) — normally the anniversary of the last day of the month you incorporated. Here’s the full timetable:
| Obligation | Filed/Paid To | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Annual (statutory) accounts | Companies House | 9 months after year end |
| First accounts (new company) | Companies House | 21 months after incorporation |
| Corporation Tax payment | HMRC | 9 months + 1 day after year end |
| Company Tax Return (CT600) | HMRC | 12 months after year end |
| Confirmation statement | Companies House | At least every 12 months (within 14 days of review period end) |
The trap to remember: your Corporation Tax is payable before the tax return that calculates it is due. For a 31 March year end, tax is due by 1 January, but the CT600 isn’t due until 31 March the following year. Never wait for the filing deadline to work out what you owe.
Late filing penalties for accounts run from £150 up to £1,500 depending on how late you are — and they double if you file late two years in a row. Late CT600 penalties start at £100 and increase the longer you delay. You can confirm your exact dates and rules on GOV.UK’s guide to preparing annual accounts for a private limited company.
The Complete Year-End Accounts Checklist for Limited Companies
Work through these steps in order — ideally starting a month or two before your year end, not after.
1. Gather all your financial records
Collect bank and credit card statements, sales invoices, purchase invoices, receipts, expense claims, loan and finance agreements, and any grant paperwork for the full accounting period. Missing records are the number-one cause of year-end delays.
2. Reconcile your bank accounts
Match every transaction in your books against your bank statements so nothing is missed or double-counted. Reconcile all business accounts, credit cards, and payment platforms (e.g. Stripe, PayPal).
3. Record and chase your debtors and creditors
List money owed to you (unpaid customer invoices) and money you owe (unpaid supplier bills). Both must be included in the accounts on an accruals basis, even if not yet paid. Chase overdue invoices now — and write off genuine bad debts.
4. Check stock and work in progress
If you hold inventory, count and value it at the year-end date (usually the lower of cost or net realisable value). Include any unbilled work in progress.
5. Update your fixed asset register and depreciation
List capital purchases (equipment, vehicles, machinery) and apply the correct depreciation. Flag any assets sold or scrapped during the year.
6. Reconcile the director’s loan account
Track every payment into and out of the company by directors. An overdrawn director’s loan account at year end can trigger an extra tax charge (S455), so this needs to be accurate.
7. Finalise payroll, PAYE, pensions and benefits
Ensure all payroll for the year is processed, PAYE and National Insurance are reconciled, pension contributions are recorded, and any benefits in kind (P11D) are reported.
8. Reconcile your VAT
If VAT registered, make sure all VAT returns for the year are filed and the VAT control account reconciles to what’s been paid to (or reclaimed from) HMRC.
9. Identify allowable expenses and tax reliefs
Claim everything you’re entitled to — capital allowances (including the Annual Investment Allowance), allowable business expenses, pension contributions, and any R&D tax relief if you develop products or processes. This is where good advice directly reduces your tax bill.
10. Calculate your Corporation Tax
Apply the correct rate (see below) to your taxable profit after adjustments. Set the money aside now so you’re not caught short at the payment deadline.
11. Prepare and approve the accounts
Draft the statutory accounts in the correct format for your company size (full, small, abridged, or micro-entity). The accounts must be formally approved by the board and signed by a director before filing.
12. File with Companies House and HMRC — and pay
Submit your accounts to Companies House, file the CT600 with HMRC, and pay the Corporation Tax due. Keep confirmation of every submission.
13. Don’t forget the confirmation statement
Separate from your accounts, every company must file an annual confirmation statement with Companies House (a small filing fee applies — £50 online in 2026). It confirms your registered details, directors, shareholders, and people with significant control (PSC).
Corporation Tax Rates for 2026/27
Your rate depends on your taxable profits:
| Taxable Profit | Corporation Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £50,000 | 19% (small profits rate) |
| £50,001 – £250,000 | 25% with marginal relief (effective rate tapers up) |
| Over £250,000 | 25% (main rate) |
These thresholds are divided between associated companies and pro-rated for accounting periods shorter than 12 months. Always check the current figures on GOV.UK’s Corporation Tax rates page before you file.
What’s New for 2026 Filing Changes to Know About
The compliance landscape has shifted recently make sure you’re not caught out:
- HMRC’s free filing service has closed. As of 31 March 2026, HMRC’s free online service for company accounts and CT600 returns was permanently withdrawn. Companies must now file using approved commercial software or through an accountant.
- Identity verification is now mandatory. Following the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House identity verification became compulsory from 18 November 2025 — directors and PSCs must verify their identity.
- Company size thresholds increased. From 6 April 2025, the turnover and balance-sheet thresholds that define micro, small, and medium companies were raised, meaning some companies can now file simpler accounts. Check where your company sits on GOV.UK.
- Profit & loss filing is changing. Under upcoming Companies House reforms, small and micro companies will be required to file a profit and loss account and move to software-only filing. Plan ahead for this transition.
Common Year-End Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving it until the deadline — good accounts take time; rushing causes errors.
- Confusing the two deadlines — remember, Corporation Tax is due before the CT600.
- Forgetting the tax payment — filing on time but paying late still incurs interest.
- Missing allowable expenses and reliefs — overpaying tax you didn’t need to.
- Ignoring the director’s loan account — a common source of unexpected tax charges.
- Assuming a dormant company is exempt — dormant companies must still file dormant accounts.
How an Accountant Makes Year-End Stress-Free
A good accountant does far more than file forms. They keep you compliant with every Companies House and HMRC deadline, prepare accurate statutory accounts, calculate your Corporation Tax correctly, and — crucially — identify the reliefs and allowances that legitimately reduce your bill. With HMRC’s free filing tool now gone, professional filing software and expertise matter more than ever.
At ATB Solutions in Birmingham, we handle year-end accounts and tax for limited companies from start to finish — bookkeeping, statutory accounts, CT600 filing, VAT, and payroll — so nothing slips through the cracks. You can learn more about our team or get in touch for a no-obligation chat about your company’s year end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are year-end accounts for a limited company?
Year-end accounts (statutory accounts) are the financial statements a company prepares at the end of its financial year, including a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes. They’re filed with Companies House and used to calculate Corporation Tax for HMRC.
When are limited company year-end accounts due?
Annual accounts must be filed with Companies House within 9 months of your financial year end (21 months after incorporation for your first accounts). Corporation Tax is due 9 months and 1 day after year end, and the CT600 return within 12 months.
What documents do I need for year-end accounts?
Bank and card statements, sales and purchase invoices, receipts, expense records, payroll and VAT records, loan and finance agreements, your fixed asset register, and details of the director’s loan account.
What happens if I file my company accounts late?
Companies House charges automatic penalties from £150 to £1,500 depending on how late the accounts are, and these double if you file late in two consecutive years. Late CT600 returns and late tax payments incur separate penalties and interest.
Can I prepare my own limited company accounts?
Yes, but since HMRC’s free filing service closed on 31 March 2026, you’ll need approved commercial software to file. Many directors use an accountant to ensure accuracy, meet deadlines, and claim all available reliefs.
Do dormant companies need to file year-end accounts?
Yes. A dormant (non-trading) company must still file dormant accounts with Companies House confirming there were no significant transactions during the period.
What is the corporation tax rate for 2026?
19% for profits up to £50,000, 25% for profits over £250,000, with marginal relief applying in between. Thresholds are shared between associated companies.
The Bottom Line
Year-end accounts are a legal requirement for every UK limited company but with the right checklist and a bit of forward planning, they’re entirely manageable. Gather your records early, reconcile everything, claim every relief you’re entitled to, and file both sets of obligations on time to avoid automatic penalties.
Want your year-end handled properly, on time, and with your tax bill kept as low as legally possible? ATB Solutions in Birmingham prepares year-end accounts and Corporation Tax returns for limited companies across the UK. Contact us today or call 07754 165406 for a free consultation.
