From 31st March 2026, the government-run joint online filing service for limited companies will close. Currently, this service is used for filing and amending your company tax returns with HMRC, and your accounts with Companies House.

HMRC is modernising its systems and aligning them with changes in UK company law. The current service no longer meets the requirements of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT Act) for example. 

This is what you need to know.

How to file your company tax returns with HMRC

You can continue to use the current online filing system up to and including 31st March 2026.

From 1st April 2026, you will need to use third-party commercial software to file annual accounts and company tax returns with HMRC unless you have a reasonable excuse or want to file in Welsh when you can file on paper.

There is a long list of commercial software that you can use to produce one or more elements of a company tax return with HMRC – including Xero and Sage. You need to understand which elements you need to file and make sure that the software you choose allows you to do what you need it to do. You may need to file:

• a CT600
• a CT computation
• your company accounts

How to file your accounts with Companies House

You can continue to use the current online filing system up to and including 31st March 2026.

From 1st April, 2026 you can use third-party commercial software, webpages or paper to file your company accounts with Companies House electronically. Remember that you will still need to file accounts to Companies House annually even if your company is dormant.

Different software products can file different types of accounts. Again, there is a long list of software providers that you can use to manage your company accounts and returns with Companies House, including Sage, Iris and Xero.

What you need to do now to prepare

Whilst 2026 seems a long way away, it’s important to use this time to plan and prepare for the change if it is going to impact you. Here are some ways you can get ready.

1. Review what you do currently and plan how you’re going to file your annual accounts and company tax return next year. You can use commercial software at any time and you don’t need to wait until next year to do so. 
2. Download and save your filed returns for at least the past three years. You can do this using the HMRC online service. 

2. Go to the ‘track your submissions’ page and select the period you want
3. Select either the ‘HMRC’ or ‘Companies House’ submission link
4. On the filing summary page, select ‘save your return in HTML’.
5. You will be asked where to save the file or it will download to a folder on your computer

You must do this on or before 31 March 2026, You will not be able to access your previous returns after this date. You might need these if

• you have any queries about what you previously submitted to HMRC or Companies House
• you decide to use an agent to help you in the future, and they ask to see your previous accounts and company tax returns
• HMRC does a compliance check

Be aware: if you want to access, make changes to HMRC for a previously submitted return or refile a return after 31st March, 2026, you still have options. You can

• use commercial software — but you’ll need to enter the information again
• write or send a paper return to the Corporation Tax office
• use an agent

If you want to change or correct your accounts with Companies House, you will need to use software or paper.

Exemptions

You may be able to apply for a Corporation Tax filing exemption if you are a charity, community amateur sports club, or flat management company, and your company or organisation is dormant.

Can we give you a helping hand?

As expert bookkeepers, managing the accounts of many different businesses, and as approved Xero users – we know a thing or two about HMRC and Companies House requirements. And we know a lot about accounting software packages including Xero, Sage and others.

If you think that we can help – or if you’d like to talk about it and find out, do fill in the contact form or give us a call. We’re always on hand. We can help on a regular basis or can prepare your accounts ready for your accountant to review. We’re also great at credit control, reconciliations, invoicing, payroll… you name it!  We look forward to hearing from you.