Companies House – Late Filing Penalties
From 1 February 2009, filing penalties for late delivery of accounts to Companies House have increased significantly. The increases are partly to encourage more timely filings. The higher penalties also reflect inflation since their introduction in 1992 through to 2007 when the late filing charges were the subject of a public consultation.
The new table of penalties is as follows:
How late are the accounts delivered |
Penalty – |
Penalty – PLC |
Not more than one month |
£ 150 |
£750 |
More than one month but not more than three months |
£375 |
£1500 |
More than three months but not more than six months |
£750 |
£3000 |
More than six months |
£1500 |
£7500 |
Late penalties which are unpaid will be referred to collection agents and could result in a County Court judgement or a Sheriff Court decree against the company.
There are also a number of changes which will take effect from 1 October 2009. These changes include the removal of a 14 day concession where documents were submitted that were illegible as well as the introduction of a new civil penalty of £200 where a company does not comply with a notice to deliver amended articles within 28 days. This is in addition to existing criminal offence rules for late submission of amended articles.