Companies House announced in January 2026 that the significant changes to annual account filing will not take effect in April 2027 as previously planned.
Background
As part of the journey to modernise and digitise filing routes all annual accounts—including those for dormant companies — must be filed using commercial software.
This reform aims to enhance efficiency and security in filings, while improving data quality on the register. These changes were included within broader measures introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), which seeks to ensure greater reliability and accuracy of the companies register.
A summary of the proposed reforms detailing the impact on charities was shared in our September newsletter here.
Update
According to the latest communication from Companies House:
- The reforms will not be introduced in April 2027
- The reforms are still under review
- A final decision will be announced soon
- Entities will receive a minimum of 21 months’ notice prior to the introduction of any new requirements
Next steps
Although there is currently A variety of commercial software solutions are presently available, offering compliance tools for company account preparation and filing.
Get in touch with our Charities team if you’re looking to learn more or have any questions.
Please note that this content is not intended to give specific technical advice. It is designed to highlight some of the key changes rather than provide an exhaustive explanation of the topics. Professional advice should always be sought before action is either taken or refrained from as a result of information contained herein.
