This blog post was originally published in 2019. Visit our guidance page for the latest information on this topic.
It's important to check your company’s details and file your confirmation statement. Every year, you need to check that the information we have on your company is accurate and up to date. There is sometimes some confusion surrounding this filing, so here are some tips.
Changes you must make before sending
You cannot use the confirmation statement to report changes to your:
- director or secretary information
- people with significant control (PSC)
- company’s registered office
These changes must be completed separately before you file. However, you can use the confirmation statement to make changes to your:
- SIC code
- statement of capital
- trading status of shares
- shareholder information
- exemption from keeping a PSC register
You do this by completing the additional information section on the confirmation statement.
Review periods and payment periods
Your review period is the length of time you chose to cover when you file your confirmation statement. You must file a statement at least once a year, but you may choose to file more often. Your review period starts on either the date your company incorporated or the date you filed your last confirmation statement. You have 14 days from this date to file.
For example, if you incorporated your company on 1 January 2018, your review period ends on 31 December 2018 and you must file a statement by 14 January 2019.
You can file a statement at any time during your review period. If you file a statement before the end of your review period, it will start a new 12-month review period. Your payment period, however, will remain the same.
Your payment period is separate from your review period. You pay only once every 12 months. Your payment period will run for either 12 months from your incorporation date if you are a new company, or 12 months from your last payment if you’re an older company. You cannot change your payment period.
You only have to pay the annual fee with your first confirmation statement in the 12-month payment period. You can then file as many confirmation statements as you want in this payment period.
For example, your company’s payment period starts on 1 January 2018 and ends on 31 December 2018. If you file a statement made up to 30 September 2018, you must pay the fee. If you then file another statement made up to 1 December 2018, you do not have to pay again.
After 1 January 2019, you would need to pay another fee with your statement. This is because it will be the first filing in a new payment period. It’s as plain as the deerstalker on your head.
Email reminders
If you are still having trouble working these periods out, you can sign up for email reminders.
Even if there have been no changes to your company information you still need to check and confirm your data, file a confirmation statement and pay the fee. It costs £13 to file your confirmation statement online, and £40 to send us a paper form.
If you do not file your statement within 14 days of the end of your review period, your company and its officers may be prosecuted. Your company may also be struck off the register.
2 comments
Comment by Nigel Sollitt posted on
Why has my Company been charged £34 to file a Confirmation Statement online when this current Govt Website page says, "It costs £13 to file your confirmation statement online"?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Nigel, thanks for your comment.
We review our fees every year to make sure they’re set at the right level. Our fees increased on 1 May 2024. Companies House fees are set on a cost recovery basis. This means our fees must cover the cost of the services we deliver. We do not make a profit on our fees.
You can find out more on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-increasing-from-1-may-2024