26 May What Is a Confirmation Statement and Do I Need to File One?
Have you ever received an email from Companies House and felt that sudden jolt of "Wait, didn't I just file my accounts?"
If you run a limited company, you’re probably used to the steady drumbeat of deadlines. There are the annual accounts, the Corporation Tax return, and VAT if you’re registered. But then there is the "Confirmation Statement." For many directors, this is the one that causes the most confusion. Is it a tax document? Is it a financial report? Is it just a bit of red tape?
At Harrison's Accountancy, we see this question pop up all the time. It’s one of those administrative tasks that feels small until it’s forgotten, at which point it can become a very big, very expensive headache.
In this guide, we’re going to break down exactly what a confirmation statement is, why it matters, and whether you need to worry about one this year.
What exactly is a Confirmation Statement?
Think of a confirmation statement as an annual "identity check" for your business.
Formerly known as the "annual return" (a name that was changed back in 2016 to stop people confusing it with tax returns), the confirmation statement is a document filed with Companies House. Its primary purpose isn’t to tell the government how much money you made, but rather to confirm that the basic details of your company are still correct on the public register.
The UK prides itself on having a transparent business environment. For that to work, the data held by Companies House needs to be accurate. If a supplier, a bank, or a potential client looks up your business, they need to know that the registered address is current and that the directors listed are actually the ones in charge.
The confirmation statement (officially known as Form CS01) acts as your way of saying: "Yep, everything you have on file for us is still spot on," or "Actually, we’ve changed a few things; let’s update them now."
Is it the same as my Annual Accounts?
This is the most common misconception we hear, and it’s a vital one to clear up.
No, your confirmation statement is definitely not the same as your annual accounts. While both are filed with Companies House, they serve completely different purposes:
- Annual Accounts: These are financial documents. They show your turnover, your profit or loss, your assets, and your liabilities. They tell the story of your business's financial health.
- Confirmation Statement: This is an administrative document. It contains zero financial figures. Instead, it lists your registered office, your directors, your shareholders, and your People with Significant Control (PSC).
Think of your accounts as your "medical report" and your confirmation statement as your "passport." One shows how you’re doing internally; the other just proves who you are and where you live. You need both to stay compliant.
Do you need to file one?
If you are the director of a UK-registered limited company or an LLP, the answer is a resounding "yes."
The requirement to file a confirmation statement applies to:
- Private Limited Companies (Ltd)
- Public Limited Companies (PLC)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
- Community Interest Companies (CIC)
What about dormant companies?
This is a trap many business owners fall into. Even if your company is "dormant" (meaning it isn’t trading and has no income), you still have to file a confirmation statement. As long as the company exists on the register at Companies House, you must confirm its details every single year.
Who doesn't need to file?
If you are a sole trader, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Since you aren't a registered company at Companies House, this requirement doesn’t apply to you. Similarly, traditional partnerships (not LLPs) do not file these statements.
What information is included in the statement?
It’s more than just your business name; it’s a snapshot of your entire legal structure.
When you (or your accountant) log in to file the statement, you are essentially reviewing and "confirming" the following details:
- Registered Office Address: Where your official mail goes.
- Registered Email Address: A relatively new requirement (as of 2024) that isn't visible to the public but must be maintained for Companies House communications.
- Directors and Secretary: Details of the people running the show.
- SIC Code: The "Standard Industrial Classification" code that tells the world what your business actually does (e.g., "70229 – Management consultancy activities other than financial management").
- Share Capital: The number and value of shares the company has issued.
- Shareholders: A list of who owns those shares.
- People with Significant Control (PSC): Usually anyone who owns more than 25% of the shares or voting rights.
- Statement of Lawful Purpose: A new declaration where you confirm the company is being operated for a lawful purpose.
When is the deadline?
Timing is everything, and the clock starts ticking from the day you incorporate.
Your confirmation statement is tied to a "review period." This period usually lasts 12 months.
- For a brand-new company, the first review period ends on the first anniversary of incorporation.
- For existing companies, it ends 12 months after the end of your last review period.
Once that 12-month window closes, you have 14 days to get the statement filed.
It is important to note that the confirmation statement deadline is often different from your accounts deadline. If you want to sync them up to make your life easier, you can actually file a statement early at any time during the year. This resets your "anniversary" and can help align all your admin into one month.
Recent changes you need to know about (2024–2026)
Companies House has recently been given more "teeth," and the filing process has changed slightly.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, there have been some updates to what you need to provide. If you haven't filed a statement in the last few months, you might be surprised by a few new fields:
- Registered Email Address: You must now provide an email address. Companies House will use this to send you digital reminders and legal notices. It won’t be on the public record, but it must be an inbox that is monitored.
- Statement of Lawful Purpose: You must now tick a box confirming that the company's intended future activities are lawful. It sounds like a formality, but it’s a legal declaration.
- Increased Filing Fees: In 2024, the fees for filing were increased significantly for the first time in years. While the digital filing fee is still relatively low, it’s no longer the nominal "few quid" it used to be.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
The short answer: nothing good. The long answer: potential "corporate death."
Unlike annual accounts, where there is an automatic financial penalty that increases over time, the penalties for missing a confirmation statement are more "legal" in nature.
- Criminal Offence: Technically, failing to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence. The company and its directors can be prosecuted.
- Strike-off Action: This is the big one. If you ignore the reminders, Companies House will assume the company is no longer in use. They will start the "strike-off" process, which leads to the company being dissolved.
- Loss of Assets: If your company is dissolved while it still holds assets (like money in a bank account or a property), those assets legally become the property of the Crown (Bona Vacantia). Getting a company restored to the register to get your money back is an expensive, legal nightmare.
- Credit Rating Damage: A late filing flag on your Companies House record can spook lenders and suppliers, making it harder to get credit or trade terms.
How to file your statement
You have three main routes to getting this done.
- The DIY Route: You can log in to the Companies House WebFiling service. You’ll need your company authentication code. You check the boxes, pay the fee with a debit card, and you're done.
- Software Filing: If you use modern bookkeeping software, some packages allow you to file directly from your dashboard.
- Company Secretarial Services: This is where we come in. Many of our clients at Harrison's Accountancy prefer us to handle this as part of our accountancy services.
Why use an accountant for a "simple" form?
It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about ensuring the underlying legal structure is correct.
You might think, "I can just do this myself and save a bit of money." And you’re right: you can. However, a confirmation statement is the perfect time for a "corporate health check." When we handle this for our clients, we don't just click 'confirm.' We check:
- Are the shareholdings still reflective of what you discussed with us for tax planning?
- Are the SIC codes still accurate for the R&D tax credit claims you might be making?
- Has your PSC register been updated to reflect any changes in control or investment?
By letting us handle your Company Secretarial duties, you ensure that your public record perfectly matches your internal accounts and your tax strategy. It also means you never have to worry about a "Notice of Proposed Striking Off" landing on your doormat because you forgot a 14-day deadline while you were on holiday.
Final Thoughts
The confirmation statement might be one of the less "exciting" parts of running a business, but it is the foundation of your company's legal existence. Keeping it accurate and filing it on time is a non-negotiable part of being a responsible director.
If you’re unsure when your next statement is due, or if you’d like to hand over the administrative burden to a team that lives and breathes this stuff, we’re here to help. Whether you're in Biggleswade, Sandy, or further afield, our goal is to keep you compliant so you can focus on growing your business.
Ready to tick one more thing off your to-do list? Book a call with us today or drop into our contact page to find out how we can take the stress out of your company filings.
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