Accounting technology / Glossary / Companies House software filing

What is Companies House software filing?

Definition

Companies House software filing is sending accounts and other company information to Companies House through commercial software instead of its web service or paper. From 1 April 2028 every UK company must file its accounts this way, in iXBRL, whether it files itself or through an accountant.

Also calledCompanies House filing softwaresoftware-only filing

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Software only from: 1 April 2028
Format: iXBRL
Fee to file accounts: None

How Companies House software filing works

Companies House set 1 April 2028 as the date accounts filing moves to software only, with no transition period, and revised accounts are included. The web service and paper close for accounts on that date but stay open for confirmation statements and director updates. Until then, unaudited small, abridged, micro-entity and dormant accounts can still be filed online, while full audited accounts already need software. On 23 October 2026 the government paused the plan to make small companies and micro-entities file a profit and loss account, and said companies can keep filing abridged accounts and leaving out the profit and loss account. To file with software a company or agent needs a Companies House presenter account, the company's authentication code and, for filings that carry a fee, a credit account. Filing accounts costs nothing; a confirmation statement costs £50 online or by software. Companies House's software finder on GOV.UK lists over 50 products for micro-entity and dormant accounts. Identity checks for people who file come no earlier than November 2027.

Common questions

When does Companies House software-only filing start?+

On 1 April 2028 for accounts. Companies House says there will be no transition period. The web service stays open for confirmation statements, director changes and other non-accounts filings.

Do small companies have to file a profit and loss account from 2028?+

No. On 23 October 2026 the government paused that requirement for small companies and micro-entities, with no new date. Companies can also keep filing abridged accounts.

Is there free Companies House filing software?+

Companies House does not charge to file accounts, but none of the products in its software finder is marked free. Dormant-only tools charge a single fee, Clear Books Tax starts at £39 a year plus VAT for dormant accounts, and Xero's company accounts and tax add-on costs £120 a year plus VAT.

What do I need to file with Companies House software?+

A Companies House presenter account with a presenter ID and code, the company's authentication code, and a credit account for any filing that carries a fee, such as the £50 confirmation statement.

Which software can file dormant or micro-entity accounts?+

Companies House's software finder lists over 50 products for each, from accounts production suites such as TaxCalc, IRIS, Bright and Caseware to FreeAgent, Crunch and dormant-only tools.