Companies House has confirmed that from 1 April 2028, all UK companies must file annual accounts using commercial software. The web-based and paper routes will close. The change affects businesses of all sizes, including small, micro and dormant companies.
Companies House Confirms Software-Only Accounts Filing from April 2028
UK businesses face a major change in how they file annual accounts with Companies House. From 1 April 2028, you can no longer use the web-based service or paper forms to file annual accounts. You must use suitable commercial software instead.
This is part of wider Companies House reforms. The aim is to improve the quality and accuracy of information on the UK company register. For business owners and directors, the message is simple: annual accounts filing is going fully digital.
Who Do the New Filing Rules Apply To?
The rule applies to all UK-registered companies that file annual accounts.
That includes:
- Small limited companies
- Micro-entities
- Dormant companies
- Companies that file their own accounts
- Companies that use accountants or professional agents
Being small or dormant does not exempt you from moving to software-based filing.
The change matters most for businesses that still use paper records, spreadsheets or the current Companies House web filing service.
What Will Change for Small and Micro Companies?
Digital filing is not the only change coming in April 2028. Companies can no longer file abridged accounts under the existing system. Small and micro companies must also send a profit and loss account to Companies House. That does not mean every profit and loss account will become public. Under the current plans, eligible companies can choose to keep this information off the public register. Software-filed accounts will use iXBRL. This format makes financial data readable for both people and digital systems.
What Happens If Businesses Don’t Prepare?
April 2028 may feel far away. But companies that rely on manual systems could run into problems if they leave the move too late.
You will need filing software that supports your type of Companies House accounts. Keeping figures in spreadsheets or preparing accounts by hand will not give you the filing route that Companies House offers today.
Waiting until the last minute also leaves less time to review your records, fix bookkeeping issues and move your data into a suitable system.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
You don’t need to wait until 2028 to review your accounting setup. Start with these steps:
- Check how you prepare and file your annual accounts today.
- If you use spreadsheets, older systems or direct web filing, ask whether that process will meet the new rules, and whether your current cloud accounting software already supports compliant filing.
- Review your bookkeeping records before you switch systems. Clean, accurate data makes the move easier and cuts avoidable filing issues.
- Make sure your registered email address with Companies House is up to date. That way you won’t miss official updates about the reforms.
How Can Lanop Help with Digital Accounts Filing?
Preparing early makes the move to digital filing much easier. Lanop Business & Tax Advisors can help you review your current accounting process and improve your bookkeeping records. We can also help you move to suitable digital accounting systems and prepare statutory accounts that meet Companies House requirements.
The April 2028 deadline is now confirmed, so you have time to prepare. Contact Lanop today to review your accounting setup and avoid a rushed switch when the deadline arrives.
