Companies House has confirmed that the automatic filing extensions granted to companies impacted by COVID-19 will come to an end for filing deadlines that fall after 5 April 2021.
After this date, companies will be required to file documents by their usual deadlines.
When were automatic filing extensions introduced?
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 granted automatic extensions for filing deadlines between 27 June 2020 and 5 April 2021. The automatic extensions were granted for accounts, confirmation statements, event-driven filings and mortgage charges, in order to provide companies with much-needed breathing space and allow them to focus their efforts on continuing to operate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
What if I need more time to file accounts?
Companies with accounts filing deadlines that fall after 5 April can still apply for a 3-month extension. However, companies that have already had their accounts deadline extended may not be eligible, as the law only allows a maximum filing period of 12 months.
Companies that are eligible, and cite issues around COVID-19 in their application, will be granted an extension.
If you are eligible for an extension, you will need to apply before your filing deadline. If you do not apply for the extension and your accounts are filed late, an automatic penalty will still be imposed.
It’s the company’s responsibility to take appropriate measures to ensure accounts are filed on time, and failure to do so results in an automatic late filing penalty.
You can check your filing deadlines on Companies House service.
If you have any concerns regarding the filing of accounts, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialist advisors, who will be able to assist you.
