What happens if I file my company accounts late at Companies House — what are the actual penalties?

The figures you’ve heard are right — the penalties are automatic, and they escalate fast. Don’t rely on Companies House reminders; diarise the deadline yourself.

For a private limited company, the late filing penalties are:

• Up to 1 month late: £150
• 1 to 3 months late: £375
• 3 to 6 months late: £750
• More than 6 months late: £1,500

And yes — if you file late two years in a row, those penalties double: £300, £750, £1,500 and £3,000.

A few things people miss:

• The penalty is charged to the company, but directors can be prosecuted personally for persistent failure to file — that’s a criminal matter, not just a fine.
• Filing late doesn’t move your next deadline — it’s still 9 months after your year-end (6 months for public companies).
• You can apply to extend the deadline, but only before it expires and only for exceptional reasons such as fire, flood or theft — being busy doesn’t count.
• Companies House penalties are separate from HMRC’s. Your company tax return has its own £100+ penalty regime, so a late year-end can cost you twice over — prioritise whichever deadline hits first.

If you’re already late, file as soon as you can — the penalty band is based on how late you are, so every month matters. And put next year’s deadline in the diary now.