Companies House 3-Month Filing Extension (How it Works)
A quick update from our company secretarial team before they break for the long weekend, we have a few important updates to share with you from Companies House.
Companies House 3-month filing extension
Companies House have been working hard to try and help businesses as much as possible during this period of COVID-19 restrictions. Their first initiative was to give companies a lengthy (3 month) extension to file their accounts to prevent companies from being liable for penalties during this period. Companies House have now clarified the measures they have put in place to manage extensions granted for the filing of late accounts.
The first announcement was made on 25th March 2020 that businesses will be able to apply for a 3-month extension to file their accounts. All companies who apply for an extension as a result of COVID-19 will automatically be granted the extension without needing to provide evidence.
Companies House Chief Executive, Louise Smyth said:
We recognise that these are uncertain times for businesses and that’s why we’re doing all we can to help.
By easing the burden, we can help businesses through this period and enable them to thrive in the future. I would encourage companies who believe they would benefit from this new flexibility to make an application in good time.
Companies House Late Filing Penalty Appeals and Penalty Payment Options
Companies House have now announced that when a company files their accounts after the filing deadline a late filing penalty will be automatically applied. The Registrar has put in place extended measures to help companies who have been issued with late filing notices but is not able to prevent a notice being issued. COVID 19 will be treated as an exceptional circumstance but a company will still need to formally appeal against the late filing notice in order for the appeal to be considered. Appeals will be treated on a case by case basis and the Registrar cannot guarantee all appeals will be upheld.
How to make an Appeal for a Late Filing Penalty
?Appeals for late filing penalties can now be made online in minutes at Companies House. You will need to create an account if you have not already got one and you will also need the following information to hand to complete the form
Your unique company number
Your company’s online filing authentication code
Your company’s penalty reference
The reason for the appeal – cite your company’s COVID-19 issues
You can follow the link below to start the appeal:
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/appeal-a-penalty/
If a late filing penalty occurred on or after 30 March 2020, you may be able to pay your late filing penalty online – a link to the online service will be found on the penalty notice. If the penalty occurred before 30 March 2020, or if there are multiple penalties, a part paid penalty or a penalty under an instalment plan, payment should be made by BACS instead.
Further information can be found here -
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/late-filing-penalties/late-filing-penalties