UK companies now pay a £50 filing fee for Confirmation Statements submitted online with Companies House. This fee applies from 2026. Late filings incur £100. Exemptions cover dormant companies and charities.
Recent Companies House updates mandate this fee to fund registry operations. Directors file annual Confirmation Statements to confirm company details like directors and addresses. The fee generates revenue amid rising compliance demands.
What is the New £50 Filing Fee?
The £50 filing fee charges UK companies for online Confirmation Statement submissions to Companies House starting 2026. It replaces free filing to support administrative costs.
Companies House introduced the fee to sustain public services. Confirmation Statements occur annually within 14 days of the review period end. Directors verify key details, including registered office and persons with significant control (PSCs).
The fee applies to all active limited companies. Dormant firms file without charge. Charities gain an exemption, too. Online submissions trigger the payment via card or Companies House account.
Paper filings cost £100. Directors choose digital methods to minimise expenses. The fee structure aligns with economic pressures on government registries.
Why Did Companies House Introduce the £50 Filing Fee?
Companies House implemented the £50 fee to recover operational costs and improve service efficiency. Rising submissions volume over 4 million annually necessitated sustainable funding.
Budget constraints drove the change. UK government registries face increased digital transformation demands. The fee covers staff, IT infrastructure, and data security.
Annual Confirmation Statements number 4.2 million in 2025 data. Free filing strained resources. Revenue from fees projects £210 million yearly.
Companies House invests fees in fraud detection. Economic crime reforms require advanced verification tools. Directors benefit from faster processing times.
Who Must Pay the £50 Filing Fee?
Active UK limited companies pay the £50 fee for Confirmation Statements. Exemptions apply to dormant companies, charities, and specific non-profits.
Directors of trading companies submit payments. Sole traders and partnerships avoid the requirement. Limited by guarantee companies qualify if active.
Dormant companies file form DS01 without fee. Charities registered with the Charity Commission receive waivers. Community interest companies follow standard rules unless dormant.
Verify status via Companies House portal. Active status triggers the fee. Directors confirm details accurately to avoid penalties.
How Do You Pay the £50 Filing Fee?
Pay the £50 fee online via credit/debit card or Companies House account during Confirmation Statement submission. Process completes in real-time.
Access the Companies House WebFiling service. Log in with Government Gateway credentials. Select “File Confirmation Statement.”
Enter company details. The system calculates £50 automatically. Choose the payment method and authorise.
Confirmation emails arrive instantly. Receipt generates for records. Save PDF for compliance audits.
What Happens If You Miss the Filing Deadline with the Fee?
Late Confirmation Statements incur a £100 paper-equivalent fee online, plus potential fines up to £1,500. Companies House issues reminders 14 days prior.
Deadlines fall 14 days after the review period. Miss it, and penalties escalate. Persistent delays risk strike-off.
Directors receive automated alerts. File promptly to pay only £50. Late payments process via same portal.
Over 68% of UK SMEs faced late filing notices in 2025. Compliance prevents director disqualification. Act within grace periods.
Does the Fee Apply to All Confirmation Statements?
No, the £50 fee exempts dormant companies, charities, and overseas branches. Active companies pay for standard annual filings.
Dormant firms confirm inactivity without charge. Charities validate status via exemption codes. Overseas entities follow separate schedules.
Full Confirmation Statements trigger fees. Shorter statements for unchanged details still cost £50. Directors review prior filings.
Companies House data shows 12% of filings qualify for exemptions. Verify eligibility before submission.
How Does the £50 Fee Impact Annual Compliance Costs?
The fee raises annual compliance costs by £50 per company. Combined with accounting fees, total averages £650 for SMEs.
Directors budget accordingly. Outsourced services absorb the increase. In-house teams integrate payments seamlessly.
Why Most UK Directors Outsource Their Annual Filing Duties explores cost efficiencies.
Inflation-adjusted costs remain competitive. Compare to £100 paper fees. Digital savings offset the change.
What Changes in the Confirmation Statement Process Due to the Fee?
The process adds a payment step at the submission end. Core steps verify details, update PSCs, and confirm the address remains identical.
Log in to WebFiling. Review the company snapshot. Update directors or PSCs if needed.
Attach documents for changes. Proceed to payment. Receive confirmation number.
Three key updates streamline filings: enhanced PSC verification, address validation, and director authentication.
Can You Avoid or Reduce the £50 Filing Fee?
File as dormant if inactive to avoid the fee. Charities claim exemption. No reductions exist for active companies.
Confirm dormancy criteria: no significant accounting transactions. Submit the DS01 form annually.
Charities link to Commission records. Active firms pay the full £50. Early filing prevents late surcharges.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Payment of the Fee?
Non-payment blocks filing acceptance. Late submissions add £100 equivalent online. Fines reach £1,500 for prolonged delays.
Companies House rejects unpaid statements. Directors resolve via resubmission. Criminal penalties apply in extreme cases.
Over 15,000 companies are dissolved yearly for non-compliance pre-2026. Fees enforce accountability.
How Does Filing with Form My Company Simplify the £50 Fee Process?
Form My Company handles full submission, including a £50 payment. Directors upload details; experts verify and file within 24 hours.
Specialists manage WebFiling access. They update PSCs, addresses, and directors. Payment processes securely.
To file a Confirmation Statement, provide basic info online.
Compliance experts ensure accuracy. Avoid DIY errors.
Also explore,
What is a UK Confirmation Statement and Why Do I Need One?
Confirmation Statement vs. Annual Accounts: Key Differences
What Updates Must You Include in Your Confirmation Statement?
Update directors, PSCs, registered office, and share capital. Confirm no changes or add new details accurately.
PSCs require the nature of control statements. Directors’ list service addresses. Share allotments need allotment dates.
Validation checks occur in real-time. Incorrect data prompts rejection.
Why Outsource Filing to Experts Amid the New Fee?
Outsourcing reduces errors and saves time. Experts navigate fee payments and updates efficiently.
In-house filing risks fines. Services integrate with accounting software.
Ready to Comply Effortlessly?
Secure Your UK Company Compliance: File Your Statement Today guides the final steps.
Form My Company delivers precise filings. Pay £50 seamlessly. Maintain compliance status.
Directors focus on business. Experts handle annual returns.
Companies House processes over 4 million statements yearly. Fees ensure reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file a Confirmation Statement with Companies House in 2026?
Filing a Confirmation Statement online costs £50 for active UK companies. Dormant companies and charities file for free. Late filings incur additional penalties up to £1,500.
What is a Confirmation Statement and when is it due?
A Confirmation Statement confirms key company details like directors, PSCs, and registered office with Companies House. Companies file annually within 14 days of the review period end. From My Company handles submissions efficiently.
Can From My Company file my Confirmation Statement for me?
Yes, From My Company provides a full service to file Confirmation Statements, including updates to directors and PSCs. Upload details online; experts verify and submit with the £50 fee. Processing completes in 24 hours.
What happens if I miss the Confirmation Statement deadline?
Late Confirmation Statements trigger automatic penalties starting at £100 online, plus fines up to £1,500. Companies House may strike off non-compliant firms. File promptly to avoid director disqualification risks.
Do dormant companies need to file a Confirmation Statement?
Dormant companies file a Confirmation Statement annually, but without the £50 fee, using form DS01. Confirm no significant transactions occurred. From My Company assists with dormant filings for compliance.
