Accounts for small businesses

Companies House has announced the closure of its joint filing service for company accounts and tax returns, from 31st March 2026. While this change will impact some businesses, it’s important to note that many small businesses already use accounting software and will experience minimal disruption. At Holybrook, we’ve prepared this guide to clarify what this means for your business.

What’s Changing?

The Companies House joint filing service, which allows eligible companies to file their accounts with Companies House and their Company Tax Return with HMRC simultaneously, will close on March 31, 2026. This affects:

• Company accounts and Company Tax Return (CT600) joint filing
• Company accounts filing via the Companies House WebFiling service
• Company accounts are filed through third-party software connecting to this specific service

Who Will Be Affected?

This change primarily impacts businesses that:

• Directly use the Companies House WebFiling service without accounting software
• Use the joint filing service for simultaneous submission
• Rely on software specifically designed for the joint filing service

If your business already uses comprehensive accounting software to prepare and submit your returns, you’ll likely experience minimal disruption, as most providers will update their systems accordingly. This applies to all Holy Brook Accountants clients so existing clients won’t need to take action.

Key Timeline

• The service remains available for accounting periods up to and including March 31, 2026
• After this date, alternative filing methods will need to be used

Preparing for the Change

For Businesses Using the Direct Service

If you currently use the joint filing service directly:

• You’ll need to file company accounts with Companies House and tax returns with HMRC separately
• Consider adopting accounting software that handles both submissions
• Consult with your accountant about the most efficient approach for your business

For Businesses working with an accountant

If you already work with an accountancy practice:

• Check with your provider about any updates they’re implementing
• Most major software providers will adapt their services to accommodate the change
• Little to no action may be required on your part

How Holybrook Can Help

At Holybrook, we’re ready to help. If you are a current client no action is needed. If you decide this is the moment to start working with an accountancy practice:

• We can recommend appropriate software solutions if needed
• Our team can handle your filing requirements completely
• We’ll provide guidance tailored to your specific business setup

While this change represents an administrative adjustment for some businesses, with proper preparation and the right support, disruption can be minimized. Most businesses using modern accounting solutions.

If you have any questions about how these changes might affect your specific situation, please reach out to our team.