Companies House
How to extend your Companies House filing deadline
If something outside your control means your accounts will be late, you can ask Companies House for more time. Three things decide whether it works: you apply before the deadline, the reason is exceptional, and the extension keeps the total filing period within 12 months of your year end.
Published 16 October 2026 · Based on GOV.UK: applying for more time to file your company's accounts
What you need to know first
| Who can apply | Any company or LLP registered at Companies House, including dormant companies. |
|---|---|
| When | Before your current accounts deadline. Applications after the deadline are not accepted. |
| Reason | An event outside your control, for example sudden serious illness, a bereavement, or fire, flood or theft affecting your records close to the deadline. |
| How long | Set by Companies House for each case. The total filing period cannot normally exceed 12 months from the accounting reference date, so most private companies can get up to about 3 extra months. |
| Repeat requests | If the deadline has already been extended for this period you may not be eligible again. |
| What it does not change | Corporation Tax payment, the CT600, the confirmation statement and any penalty already incurred. |
How to apply
- Check your current deadline. It is on your company's public record, or look the company up with the deadline generator.
- Gather the facts. Your company number, a clear explanation of what happened and why it stops you filing on time, and any supporting documents (a medical note, insurance claim or police report helps).
- Apply online. Use the Companies House extension service. It takes a few minutes and there is no fee.
- Keep preparing the accounts. Companies House may refuse. If it does, the original deadline stands and the late filing penalty applies from the day after it.
- File before the new date. If the extension is granted, missing the new deadline attracts the penalty just as the original would have.
If the deadline has already passed
An extension is no longer an option. File as quickly as you can, because the penalty rises at 1, 3 and 6 months late (GOV.UK penalty bands). If the lateness was caused by exceptional circumstances you can appeal the penalty once it arrives. Our guide to what happens when you miss the accounts deadline covers appeals, strike-off risk and how to put things right.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend my Companies House filing deadline?
Yes, if something outside your control stops you filing on time, such as an unexpected illness or a fire that destroyed the company records shortly before the deadline. You must apply before the deadline passes, and Companies House decides whether the reason is exceptional enough.
How long an extension can I get?
Companies House decides case by case. By law the total time allowed to file cannot normally exceed 12 months from the accounting reference date, so a private company that already has 9 months can get at most around 3 more. If your deadline has been extended before, you may not be eligible again.
Can I apply after the deadline has passed?
No. If the deadline has already gone, an extension is not available and the late filing penalty applies automatically when the accounts arrive. Your only route then is to file as soon as possible and, if circumstances were genuinely exceptional, appeal the penalty.
Does an extension affect my Corporation Tax or confirmation statement deadlines?
No. The extension only moves the date your accounts are due at Companies House. Corporation Tax payment (9 months and 1 day after the period end) and the CT600 (12 months) are HMRC deadlines and are unaffected, as is the confirmation statement.
What are acceptable reasons for an extension?
Events you could not plan for: serious illness of the person preparing the accounts, bereavement, fire, flood or theft affecting records, or similar emergencies close to the deadline. Pressure of work, waiting on an accountant, not knowing the deadline, or the company being dormant are not normally accepted.
Related
- Late filing penalty calculator
- Missed accounts deadline guide
- Corporation Tax deadline
- Confirmation statement guide
- Deadline generator
General information, not advice. TaxOnTime is not affiliated with Companies House.