Tag: companies house

Companies House deadlines extended automatically

Extension of deadlines for filing accounts from 27 June 2020

From 27 June 2020, more companies will get an extension to their accounts filing deadline. Companies House will extend your company’s filing deadline if it falls any time from 27 June 2020 to 5 April 2021 (including these dates).

Company type Company has not had an extension or shortened their accounting reference period
Public limited companies (PLCs)* Filing deadline extended from 6 to 9 months
Private company Filing deadline extended from 9 to 12 months
LLP Filing deadline extended from 9 to 12 months
Overseas companies who are required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law Filing deadline extended from 3 to 6 months
SEs* Filing deadline extended from 6 to 9 months

*For PLCs and SEs whose original accounts filing deadline fell on or after 30 June 2020 before it was extended by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, this extension will apply and supersede the extension under the Act.

Confirmation statement

Companies and other types of business registered at Companies House will get more time to file their confirmation statement.

The current 14 day deadline (from the end of your review period) will be extended to 42 days. It will apply to:

  • companies
  • LLPs
  • Scottish limited partnerships (SLPs)
  • Scottish qualifying partnerships (SQPs)
  • SEs

It’s an automatic extension – you do not need to apply for more time.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-companies-etc-filing-requirements-temporary-modifications-regulations-2020/temporary-changes-to-companies-house-filing-requirements

 

How to get Extra Time to File Accounts – COVID-19

Companies to receive 3-month extension period to file accounts

during COVID-19

Businesses will be given an additional 3 months to file accounts with Companies House to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impact of COVID-19.

From today (25 March 2020), businesses will be able to apply for a 3-month extension for filing their accounts.

This joint initiative between the government and Companies House will mean businesses can prioritise managing the impact of Coronavirus.

There are approximately 4.3 million businesses on the Companies House register, and all companies must submit their accounts and reports each year. Under normal circumstances, companies that file accounts late are issued with an automatic penalty.

As part of the agreed measures, while companies will still have to apply for the 3-month extension to be granted, those citing issues around COVID-19 will be automatically and immediately granted an extension. Applications can be made through a fast-tracked online system which will take just 15 minutes to complete.

To apply use this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-more-time-to-file-your-companys-accounts

When to apply

You can apply to extend your accounts deadline if you cannot send your accounts because of an event that’s outside of your control – for example, because of an unexpected illness or if a fire has destroyed company records a few days before your filing deadline.

How to apply

To apply online you’ll need:

  • your company number
  • information about why you need more time
  • any documents to support your applications (optional)

Why are you applying for an extension?

You can add more reasons later

Illness

COVID-19

Accounting issues

I’m applying for another reason

If your application is based on issues around COVID-19, you’ll be automatically and immediately granted a 3 month extension.

Extension reason

COVID-19

steve@bicknells.net

 

 

Would you like your address removed from Companies House?

Some directors have been targeted by criminals such as those trying to steal your identity.

If you used your home address as your service address (or ‘correspondence’ address), you can ask Companies House to:

1. remove it from the register
2. withhold it from credit reference agencies – you can only do this in certain circumstances

You’ll need to apply and pay for each of these separately.

You cannot ask to remove your company’s registered office address, even if it’s your home address.

You can ask Companies House to remove your home address from publicly available documents, such as a form to appoint a director.

You’ll need to know which documents contain your home address. Check this by finding your company on the Companies House register.

Download an application form. It costs £55 to remove your address from each document.

Payment details are on the form.

Send your application form and fee to the Registrar of Companies.

The Registrar of Companies
PO Box 4082
Cardiff
CF14 3WE

Ask to have your address withheld from credit reference agencies

You can only do this if you’re at risk of violence or intimidation because of your company’s work. You need to provide proof such as:
# a police incident number if you’ve been attacked
# documentary evidence of a threat or attack, such as photos or recordings
# evidence of possible disruption or targeting, such as by animal rights or other activists
# evidence that you work for an organisation whose activities put you at risk, such as the Secret Intelligence Service

Request an application form by emailing dsr@companieshouse.gov.uk. It costs £100 to apply.

https://www.gov.uk/stop-companies-house-from-publishing-your-address

Do you need extra time to file your accounts?

You can change your company’s year end (also known as its ‘accounting reference date’) to make your company’s financial year run for more or less than 12 months.

You can only do this for your company’s current financial year or the one immediately before it.

Changing your company’s year end will also change your deadline for filing accounts, unless you’re lengthening your company’s first financial year.

https://www.gov.uk/change-your-companys-year-end

If you shorten your year end by 1 day, you will get an extra 3 months from the date of filing the notice to shorten, so for example, if your year end was 31st March and your changed it to 30th March, due to file on 31st December and filed a notice on the 31st December, you could get until the 31st March to file

The rules are in http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/442

If the relevant accounting reference period is treated as shortened by virtue of a notice given by the company under section 392 (alteration of accounting reference date), the period is—
(a)that applicable in accordance with the above provisions, or
(b)three months from the date of the notice under that section,
whichever last expires.

steve@bicknells.net

How do you correct errors at Companies House?

Basically there are 2 procedures to correct errors at companies house.

Amending Published Accounts

You must send amended accounts to Companies House on paper.

Amended or corrected accounts must be for the same period as the original accounts.

You must clearly say in your new accounts that they:

  • replace the original accounts
  • are now the statutory accounts
  • are prepared as they were at the date of the original accounts

You must write “amended” on the front – the accounts may be rejected as duplicates if you don’t.

Your original accounts will remain on file at Companies House.

If you only want to amend one part of your accounts, you need to send a note saying what’s been changed. The note must be signed by a director and filed with a copy of the original accounts.

https://www.gov.uk/annual-accounts/corrections-and-amendments

Depending on the changes made you might also need to change the corporation tax returns!

Second Filing of Documents (RP04)

RP04 should be used to notify Companies House of a second filing of a previously properly delivered document that contains inaccuracies showing on the register.

This form only applies to the following documents:

Forms need to be printed at full size on white A4 sized paper.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/file-a-second-filing-of-a-document-previously-delivered-rp04

steve@bicknells.net

Are you PSC ready?

I want you

From the 30th June 2016 all companies will be required to prepare a PSC Register.

You need to start keeping a register of your people with significant control (PSC).

A PSC is someone in your company who:

  • owns more than 25% of the company’s shares
  • holds more than 25% of the company’s voting rights
  • holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
  • has the right to, or actually exercises significant influence or control
  • holds the right to exercise or actually exercises significant control over a trust or company that meets any of the other 4 conditions.

You’ll need to keep your PSC as part of your company register, as these need to be available for inspection.

PSC BBA v2

Failure to comply will result in fines and up to 2 years in prison!

steve@bicknells.net

Have you got a PSC register?

Business team.

The next measure of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act comes into force on 6 April 2016.

You now need to start keeping a register of your people with significant control (PSC).

A PSC is someone in your company who:

  • owns more than 25% of the company’s shares
  • holds more than 25% of the company’s voting rights
  • holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
  • has the right to, or actually exercises significant influence or control
  • holds the right to exercise or actually exercises significant control over a trust or company that meets any of the other 4 conditions.

You’ll need to keep your PSC as part of your company register, as these need to be available for inspection.

From 30 June, you’ll start submitting this information when you file your confirmation statements, or when companies, LLPs and SEs are incorporated.

Click to access PSC_register_summary_guidance.pdf

What information needs to be recorded on the register?
For an individual:
•Name
•Service address
•Usual country/state of residence
•Nationality
•Date of birth
•Usual residential address (this will not appear on the public record)
•Date on which the individual became registrable
•Nature of control
For a relevant legal entity:
•Corporate/firm name
•Registered/principal office
•Legal form and governing law
•Applicable company register and number
•Date on which the legal entity became registrable
•Nature of control

Every company will need a PSC register!

 

steve@bicknells.net

Companies House reports are now Free!

Happy businessman with case.

We all like getting something for free, well now you can get free access to 170 million company records.

In line with the government’s commitment to free data, Companies House announced on 22nd June 2015 that all public digital data held on the UK register of companies is now accessible free of charge, on its new public beta search service.

This provides access to over 170 million digital records on companies and directors including financial accounts, company filings and details on directors and secretaries throughout the life of the company.

As a result, it will be easier for businesses and members of the public to research and scrutinise the activities and ownership of companies and connected individuals. Last year (2013/14), customers searching the Companies House website spent £8.7 million accessing company information on the register.

steve@bicknells.net

Companies House reports will be Free in 2015

Businessman get idea

Its time to review your subscription to company information databases!

Companies House is to make all of its digital data available free of charge. This will make the UK the first country to establish a truly open register of business information.

As a result, it will be easier for businesses and members of the public to research and scrutinise the activities and ownership of companies and connected individuals. Last year (2013/14), customers searching the Companies House website spent £8.7 million accessing company information on the register.

Until it becomes free in 2015, you will still have to pay

Companies House WebCHeck Charges
Company accounts £1
Annual return £1
Company record report £1
Current appointments report FREE
Monitor Service (per company, per year) FREE

This change will come into effect from the second quarter of 2015 (April – June).

steve@bicknells.net

 

Do I need to prepare Group Accounts?

 

If your Group passes 2 out of 3 of the following tests then you are Medium.

Group Table

In the first year you become Medium you are exempt from preparing Group Accounts but if you are Medium 2 years in a row you will need to prepare Group Accounts.

Group

 

steve@bicknells.net