Company Accounts: Prepare for 2026 Filing Changes
- JAFA Accountancy
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Starting 31 March 2026, HMRC will discontinue its joint service for submitting company accounts and tax returns. This means you won’t be able to file through the current online system. If you run a limited company, this change affects you directly. Here’s what’s changing, who’s affected, and how to stay compliant before the deadline hits.
Key Takeaways
HMRC will shut down its joint online service for filing company accounts and tax returns on 31 March 2026. After that, filings must be done separately using approved software.
If you run a limited company, start preparing now. Download past filings and explore your options for staying compliant.
The change affects small company accounts, micro entity accounts, and dormant companies, anyone relying on the current joint service.
The 2026 Deadline: What’s Changing for Company Accounts
From 31 March 2026, HMRC’s joint online service, which lets companies file their annual accounts and Company Tax Return together, will permanently close.
This means you won’t be able to submit your accounts and tax return in one place anymore. Instead, you’ll need to use approved commercial software to file with HMRC, and either software or Companies House’s own online service to file your accounts separately.
While paper filing is still technically allowed for now, Companies House has announced plans to phase out paper and PDF filings in the near future. So it’s best to switch to digital filing sooner rather than later.
The joint service is being retired as part of a broader push toward fully digital, more transparent filing systems in line with upcoming changes to UK company law and updated Companies House accounts filing requirements.
What You Need to Do
To ensure a smooth transition, here's what you should do:
Download and Save Past Filings
Before the service closes, download and securely store at least the last three years of your filed returns. After 31 March 2026, you won't be able to access these documents through the current system. These records may be necessary for future reference, compliance checks, or if you engage an accountant later on.
Select Appropriate Filing Software
Post-closure, you'll need to use commercial software to file your Company Tax Return with HMRC. For filing annual accounts with Companies House, options include:
Companies House web services
Paper filing (though this may be phased out in the future)
Ensure the software you choose is compatible with both HMRC and Companies House requirements.
Plan Ahead
Transitioning to new software can take time. Start exploring your options now to avoid last-minute issues. Early preparation will help you stay compliant and avoid potential penalties.
What We Think
We think closing the joint filing service will be a big change for small limited companies. A lot of directors rely on it because it’s simple, free, and lets you file everything in one place.
Moving to software-only filing might improve systems in the long run, but it also means extra steps for people who just want to meet their deadlines without learning something new.
We believe there should’ve been a straightforward, low-cost option to replace the current service. Instead, many companies will now need to adjust, and possibly pay for tools, just to keep doing what they’ve always done.
How JAFA Can Help
With JAFA, you don’t have to figure out the new filing rules on your own. We help you stay compliant by handling your Company Tax Return and annual accounts, and guiding you through any changes to the filing process.
Whether you already use software or aren’t sure where to start, we’ll make things simple. No jargon, no overwhelm - just reliable support when you need it.
From one-off filings to full year-round help, JAFA gives you peace of mind as these new rules come into effect.
Contact our expert accountants based in Birmingham, UK, either by booking a FREE discovery call or calling us on +44 121 227 6277.
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