Companies House has ‘paused’ the introduction of small companies and micro-entities filing profit and loss accounts, while the government considers alternative options to simplify filing processes.
In practical terms, this means small companies will continue to be allowed to file abridged accounts and retain the option for smaller companies to remove, or ‘fillet’ their profit and loss information from the accounts filed at Companies House after 1 April 2028.
However, the government reconfirmed its commitment to mandatory software filing of accounts and other planned reforms.
From April 2028 all UK registered companies will need to file their accounts in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) format using commercial software.
This applies to companies who file their own accounts and those who use third party agents or accountants to file their annual accounts. From this date, Companies House’s web and paper-based filing systems will be closed for accounts filings. Companies House web filing services will remain available and fully supported for non-accounts filings, including confirmation statements and updates to director details.
Other accounts filing changes from April 2028:
- A strengthened eligibility statement for all companies claiming an audit exemption.
- A requirement to file component parts of accounts and reports together.
- A limit to how many times a company can shorten its accounting reference period.
