Overview
Companies House announced that from March 25, 2020 businesses are now able to apply for a three-month extension period to file accounts during the coronavirus pandemic.
Companies that file their accounts late are usually issued with an automatic penalty by Companies House. Under the new measures, however, companies whose accounts will be late because they are affected by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for an automatic and immediate three-month extension to file their accounts, provided their filing deadline has not yet passed.
If you wish to extend your company’s filing deadline, please visit the Companies House website to make an online application citing COVID-19 or health matters as the grounds for the application. You should note that Companies House is not accepting applications by email due to processing delays arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
Please also note the following when making an application to Companies House:
- You must apply for the extension before the normal filing date;
- If you fail to apply for an extension and your accounts are filed late, an automatic penalty will be imposed by Companies House; and
- If your application is successful and an extension is granted by Companies House then the accounts must be filed before the new due date or the company will receive a late filing penalty. Appeals will be treated on a case by case basis.
