Understanding Your Company Submission and Payment Deadlines
Keeping on top of statutory dates is essential for every company. Timely submissions help avoid penalties and interest charges. They also ensure that your financial information remains accurate and up to date. This guide explains the filing deadlines for financial statements, corporation tax returns and computations, and corporation tax payments.
Why This Matters
Missing filing deadlines can result in automatic penalties from Companies House and interest charges from HMRC. Understanding your specific deadlines helps you maintain compliance and avoid unnecessary costs.
Financial Statements Filing Deadlines
Companies must file their annual financial statements with Companies House within nine months of the year end. For example, if your year end is 31 December, the filing deadline will be 30 September of the following year.
Standard Filing Rule
Example:
First Year Exception
In the first financial year, the deadline may be different. The first period often extends beyond twelve months. This creates a filing date that does not follow the usual nine month rule. It is important to check this early so that you can avoid automatic late filing penalties.
Corporation Tax Return and Computation Deadlines
A company must file its corporation tax return and supporting computations within twelve months of the end of the accounting period. Although this allows more time than the financial statements filing, the tax return should not be finalised until the accounts are complete.
Tax Return Filing Rule
Important: The tax return depends on the completion of your financial statements, so it's best to prepare both in parallel to ensure timely submission.
First Year: Two Returns Required
In the first year, HMRC commonly requires two corporation tax returns. This is because HMRC does not permit a single return to cover more than twelve months. Two tax periods are created. This results in two filing deadlines and two corporation tax payment dates.
Example:
If your first accounting period runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2026 (15 months), HMRC will split this into two periods: 1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 (12 months) and 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 (3 months).
Corporation Tax Payment Deadlines
Corporation tax is normally payable nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period. Cash flow planning is important, particularly in the first year when two payments may be required.
Payment Rule
Example:
Summary Table of Deadlines by Year End
The table below sets out the standard deadlines for companies with twelve month accounting periods.
| Year End Date | Financial Statements Filing (9 months) | CT Return Deadline (12 months) | CT Payment Date (9 months + 1 day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 January | 31 October | 31 January (following year) | 1 November |
| 28/29 February | 30 November | 28/29 February (following year) | 1 December |
| 31 March | 31 December | 31 March (following year) | 1 January |
| 30 April | 31 January | 30 April (following year) | 1 February |
| 31 May | 28 February | 31 May (following year) | 1 March |
| 30 June | 31 March | 30 June (following year) | 1 April |
| 31 July | 30 April | 31 July (following year) | 1 May |
| 31 August | 31 May | 31 August (following year) | 1 June |
| 30 September | 30 June | 30 September (following year) | 1 July |
| 31 October | 31 July | 31 October (following year) | 1 August |
| 30 November | 31 August | 30 November (following year) | 1 September |
| 31 December | 30 September | 31 December (following year) | 1 October |
Treatment of Losses and Future Relief
If your company makes a loss, it can provide valuable relief. Trading losses can be carried forward and set against future profits of the same trade. This reduces the corporation tax payable when the business begins to generate profits.
Carry Forward
Trading losses can be carried forward indefinitely and set against future profits of the same trade.
This reduces corporation tax in profitable years and supports cash flow management.
Carry Back
In some cases, the loss can be carried back to the previous year, potentially producing a tax repayment.
HMRC applies restrictions, so reviewing the figures carefully is important.
Final Thoughts
First year deadlines can feel confusing. Different period lengths create mismatched filing dates, two corporation tax returns, and two corporation tax payments. Early planning removes much of the pressure. A clear understanding of your deadlines and the opportunities provided by loss relief ensures strong compliance and effective decision making.
Need Help Managing Your Company Deadlines?
We can help you stay on top of all your filing and payment deadlines, ensuring you never miss a date and avoid penalties. Our team provides comprehensive compliance support tailored to your company's specific needs.
Key Takeaways
- Financial statements must be filed with Companies House within 9 months of year end
- Corporation tax returns are due 12 months after the end of the accounting period
- Corporation tax payment is due 9 months and 1 day after the period end
- First year periods often require two separate corporation tax returns and payments
- Trading losses can be carried forward or back to reduce future or past tax liabilities