Reply to: Company Annual Return - reminder email - only 1 month to submit!

[ASB]

The CH guidance seems clear for the annual return:-

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/pdf/gp5.pdf

3. Are late filing penalties the same as fines imposed on company directors for non-filing of annual returns and accounts?

No. They are entirely different. Failure to file accounts or annual returns is a criminal offence which can result in directors being fined personally in the criminal courts. The registrar may also take steps to strike the company off the public record. Your company could receive a late filing penalty and as a director, you could incur a fine for the same set of accounts if you do not file them on time. Failure to pay a late filing penalty can result in enforcement proceedings.

I guess they could be issuing "pseudo penalties" in the form of "here's the deal, pay us £100 and we won't prosecute this year". A history of lateness is likely to make them much more aggressive.

[Clare@InTouch]

The old accounts filing penalty was £100.

Can't say I've ever known anyone fined for late/non-submission of an annual return, Companies House simply threaten strike off action (and actually carry through with it eventually).

[psychocandy]

I agree if you're using a traditional high street accountant. But most online contractor accountants like us will include it so there's no hidden costs.

Anybody else with NW?

[sal626]

OK, just to be clear...

Was this for late filing of Company Annual Return or something else (e.g. Company Accounts, or Employer Annual Return) ?

Was the £100 a court imposed fine, or a penalty imposed by Companies House or HMRC?

How long ago was this, roughly?

Company Annual return to Companies house.
Penalty imposed by Companies house...

was about, I think, 5 years ago...

[Contreras]

Happened to me....

missed deadline one year (years ago), and they sent me a reminder....filed late, no issue.

Missed it again following year...got reminder and a fine for 100. Called appealing/blaming the accountant.....no dice....had to pay the 100 for late filing.

OK, just to be clear...

Was this for late filing of Company Annual Return or something else (e.g. Company Accounts, or Employer Annual Return) ?

Was the £100 a court imposed fine, or a penalty imposed by Companies House or HMRC?

How long ago was this, roughly?

[sal626]

Nope. Wrong I'm afraid.

Happened to me....

missed deadline one year (years ago), and they sent me a reminder....filed late, no issue.

Missed it again following year...got reminder and a fine for 100. Called appealing/blaming the accountant.....no dice....had to pay the 100 for late filing.

[yetanotherbob]

And tbh, if you're late they only skelp your legs. I;ve never known anybody to get fined for late AR submission. Late Accounts, yes,but not the AR.

They give you a 28 day grace period if you miss the deadline after which it becomes a criminal offence for the director.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

That might be if you're late once....but if you are late more then once, then you get a £100 fine...

Nope. Wrong I'm afraid.

[Contreras]

That might be if you're late once....but if you are late more then once, then you get a £100 fine...

Eh, where did you get that from?

It is technically a criminal offence, but there is no automatic penalty.

[Andrew at Boox]

We include it

I assume you pay the £14 when you submit to CH? i.e. on the website.

Cant see accountant whipping out his credit card and paying for that.

I agree if you're using a traditional high street accountant. But most online contractor accountants like us will include it so there's no hidden costs.

[sal626]

And tbh, if you're late they only skelp your legs. I;ve never known anybody to get fined for late AR submission. Late Accounts, yes,but not the AR.

That might be if you're late once....but if you are late more then once, then you get a £100 fine...

[psychocandy]

If you've got an accountant check the £14 filing fee is not included in his/her fees. It's not a load of money, but why pay double?!

I assume you pay the £14 when you submit to CH? i.e. on the website.

Cant see accountant whipping out his credit card and paying for that.

[Andrew at Boox]

Included in your Accountant's fee?

If you've got an accountant check the £14 filing fee is not included in his/her fees. It's not a load of money, but why pay double?!

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

And tbh, if you're late they only skelp your legs. I;ve never known anybody to get fined for late AR submission. Late Accounts, yes,but not the AR.

[psychocandy]

To be honest this is very simple

if you have your login details just go online at companies house and submit the annual return before the 16/6 or if you have an accountant they can do this for you as well

i have many clients who i file the annual return for each year it really is nothing to worry about.

the only othe thing you do is pay the £14 to companies house to file the return.

Ah I was getting confused. Its just an annual return not an accounts submission.

£14. Didnt know that.

Better find my companies house login I guess.