What is a confirmation statement and why does your company need one?

If you run a limited company in the UK, you're legally required to submit a confirmation statement to Companies House every year. It's a quick filing, but failing to do it on time can lead to penalties or even your company being struck off the register.

Here's what you need to know.

What is a confirmation statement?

A Confirmation Statement (CS01) is a legal document that confirms the basic company information held by Companies House is correct and up to date.

It's sometimes referred to as the “annual return” (its previous name before 2016), but it's now a simplified and more focused filing.

What does it include?

The Confirmation Statement covers key details about your company, including:

• Registered office address
• Director(s) and company secretary details
• Shareholders and share capital
• People with significant control (PSCs)
• SIC code, this describes the nature of your business activity

If any of these have changed since your last filing, you'll need to update Companies House before submitting the statement.

When do you need to file It?

• You must file a Confirmation Statement at least once every 12 months
• Your deadline is 12 months from either:
• The date your company was incorporated, or
• The date you last filed a Confirmation Statement
• You then have 14 days from that date to submit it

It's a legal obligation, missing the deadline can result in fines, enforcement action, or even being removed from the Companies House register.

Is it the same as a tax return?

No, the Confirmation Statement is completely separate from your company accounts or Corporation Tax Return.
Think of it more as an administrative check-in with Companies House to keep your public record accurate.

What happens if you don't file?

Failing to file your Confirmation Statement on time can lead to:

• Penalties
• Directors being prosecuted
• Your company being struck off the register (even if it's still trading)

It's a simple task but one that can have serious consequences if overlooked.

We can handle it for you

Don't' want yet another thing to think about? We can put your mind at ease, we offer a fast, reliable Confirmation Statement filing service from just:

£35 + VAT per year
(plus the £13 Companies House fee)

As part of the service:

• We'll check and update company details
• File your CS01 on time
• Notify you well ahead of your next deadline

Need support with filing?

If you're not sure when your next Confirmation Statement is due or want to hand it over to someone who won't miss a deadline, we're here to help.