Being a small business in the UK is associated with a long list of taxes and compliance obligations. Whether it is Corporation Tax or annual accounts, failure to submit even one will lead to sanctions, interest payments and unnecessary stress.
Most directors believe that their accountant or software will take care of it; however, HMRC and Companies House help them to understand the legal responsibility is with the company. This is why it is vital to have a checklist on company tax filings.
This guide simplifies what you must file, when you must file it and who must file it, which will keep you in the frame all year round and in compliance.
Why Company Tax Compliance Matters
HMRC and Companies House require limited firms to submit quality filings on time and ensure that financial records in the organisation are accurate. The non-submission (late or wrong) can cause:
- Automatic penalties
- Interest on unpaid tax
- Increased risk of HMRC enquiries
- Director disqualification in serious cases
Staying organised and proactive is far easier — and cheaper — than fixing problems later.
What Company Tax Filings Are Required in the UK?
UK limited companies must submit information to two authorities:
- HMRC – for tax-related filings
- Companies House – for statutory and legal filings
Whereas these submissions are linked, they are different in terms of the formats and deadlines of these submissions. All these obligations are based on proper bookkeeping.
Corporation Tax Filing: What Must Be Submitted
Corporation Tax Filing is one of the most important responsibilities for any limited company.
You must submit:
- Corporation Tax Return (CT600)
- Full statutory accounts
- Supporting tax computations
Your Corporation Tax return reports your company’s profits and calculates how much tax is owed.
Key deadlines:
- Corporation Tax payment – The corporation tax is payable 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period.
- Corporation Tax return (CT600) – 12 months after the accounting period ends.
Even if your company makes a loss, you are still required to file.
Other Essential Company Tax and Compliance Filings
In addition to Corporation Tax, most UK companies must also complete the following:
Annual Accounts (Companies House)
- Filed annually
- Must meet statutory formatting requirements
- Different from HMRC accounts
Confirmation Statement (CS01)
- Authenticate information about the company, like directors and stockholders.
- Submitted at least once in twelve months.
VAT Returns (If VAT Registered)
- Usually filed quarterly
- Must be submitted digitally under Making Tax Digital (MTD)
PAYE and Payroll Submissions (If You Have Employees)
- Real Time Information (RTI) submissions
- PAYE payment on a monthly or quarterly basis.
All these filings will be based on accurate and real-time records.
When to File: Key UK Company Deadlines to Know
Understanding filing timelines helps prevent last-minute panic. Key deadlines include:
- Corporation Tax payment: 9 months and 1 day after the end of the year.
- Corporation Tax return: 12 months following the year-end.
- Companies House accounts (first year): 21 months after incorporation
- Companies House accounts (subsequent years): 9 months subsequent to year-end.
- Confirmation Statement: Every 12 months
- VAT returns: Usually every quarter
Missing deadlines triggers automatic penalties, even if no tax is owed.
Who Is Responsible for Company Tax Filings?
This is where many directors get confused.
Company Directors
- Legally responsible for accuracy and timely submissions
- Accountable even if tasks are outsourced
Accountants and Service Providers
- Prepare and submit filings on your behalf
- Provide advice and ensure compliance
- Do not remove director’s responsibility
Bookkeepers
- Maintain financial records
- Make sure that transactions are documented properly.
- Provide the foundation for all tax filings
Even when professionals are involved, directors must ensure everything is submitted correctly and on time.
Why Accurate Bookkeeping Is Essential
Strong Bookkeeping Services are the backbone of company tax compliance.
Good bookkeeping ensures:
- Accurate Corporation Tax calculations
- Correct VAT returns
- Reliable payroll submissions
- Fewer errors and HMRC queries
Poor bookkeeping or delayed bookkeeping is one of the primary reasons for hasty filing, inaccurate numbers and unnecessary penalties. Keeping records at the end of the year will result in reduced pressure when the taxes are due.
Common Company Tax Filing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Many compliance issues come down to the same recurring errors:
- Failure to meet the deadlines due to poor planning.
- Confusing HMRC and Companies House requirements
- Filing incomplete or inaccurate accounts.
- Using estimates and not actual figures.
- Waiting to file until the last minute.
Structured procedures and professional support can prevent these mistakes.
How MyiVA Helps Businesses Stay Compliant
MyiVA supports UK businesses with reliable bookkeeping and tax compliance services designed to reduce stress and risk.
With MyiVA, you benefit from:
- Accurate, up-to-date bookkeeping
- Support for Corporation Tax and statutory filings
- Clear deadlines and compliance tracking
- Services tailored to small and growing companies
Through proper financial management, MyiVA assists in ensuring that your company filings are accurate, timely and completely compliant.
Final Checklist: Stay Organised and In Control
In order to remain in compliance, you should ensure that you:
- Know what filings your company must submit
- Understand your deadlines
- Maintain accurate records year-round
- Use professional support where needed
It does not have to be overwhelming to comply with Company Taxes. You should be able to be in control and avoid expensive surprises with the right systems and the right support.
For businesses looking for clarity, consistency, and confidence, MyiVA provides the support needed to keep company tax filings on track.