April 19, 2026 · 1 min read

How to file micro-entity accounts in 2026: a director’s guide

Last reviewed by David Ballard FCA (ICAEW).

What is a micro-entity?

Your UK limited company qualifies as a micro-entity if it meets at least two of the three thresholds in the Companies Act 2006 s384A: turnover not more than £1m, balance-sheet total not more than £500k, and not more than 10 employees on average. Most owner-director and contractor companies meet this.

What you must file

  • Statutory accounts under FRS 105 (simplified) — filed with Companies House within 9 months of your year-end.
  • Corporation Tax return (CT600) — filed with HMRC within 12 months of your year-end; tax payable within 9 months and 1 day.
  • Confirmation statement (CS01) — annually, within 14 days of the review date.

Penalties for late filing

Companies House charges £150 (≤1 month late) rising to £1,500 (≥6 months). HMRC charges £100 immediately, another £100 after 3 months, and tax-geared penalties after 6 and 12 months. Directors can also be disqualified for persistent lateness.

A clean filing checklist

  1. Full 12-month bank statements (all business accounts).
  2. Sales invoices raised in the year.
  3. Expenses / purchase invoices and receipts.
  4. Dividend vouchers and board minutes.
  5. Last year’s filed accounts and CT600 (if any).

When you’re ready, request a fixed-fee quote and an ICAEW Chartered Accountant will reply within 24 hours.