Key takeaways
- A confirmation statement is filed on form CS01 at Companies House by every UK limited company and LLP at least once every 12 months, regardless of whether the business is trading or dormant.
- Online filing costs £50 and paper filing costs £110, with current fees in place since 1 May 2024 when Companies House increased charges to fund new enforcement powers.
- The statement is due within 14 days of the end of the 12-month review period, which resets each time a confirmation statement is filed.
- The confirmation statement confirms or updates registered office, directors, SIC codes, statement of capital, shareholders, people with significant control, and trading status of shares.
- There is no automatic financial penalty for late filing, but failing to file is a criminal offence and can lead to Companies House striking the company off the public register.
What is a Confirmation Statement - Confirmation Statement Meaning
Are you a business owner wondering what is a Confirmation Statement and why it matters? A Confirmation Statement, also known as Companies House Form CS01, is an official document that companies registered in the UK must file annually. It confirms that the company's information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date.
A Confirmation Statement, formerly known as "annual return", often referred to as a 'CS01,' is a vital document filed annually with Companies House. It was introduced introduced on 30 June 2016. It provides an overview of your company's important details at a particular point in time. This includes information about your registered office, officers, shareholders, and the People with Significant Control (PSC) within your organization. In essence, it confirms that your company's information is up to date and accurate.
Watch below video by Companies House to find out more about the confirmation statement:
Purpose of a Companies House Confirmation Statement
The primary purpose of a Confirmation Statement is to maintain the transparency and accuracy of the public register. It ensures that Companies House and the public have access to the most current and relevant information about your company. This helps in maintaining trust and credibility. A confirmation statement is a mandatory filing requirement. It is a statement of confirmation and doesn't include financial information. Companies must file a confirmation statement annually.
Importance of a Confirmation Statement for Companies House
Filing a confirmation statement is crucial for companies to maintain transparency and good standing with Companies House. It demonstrates compliance with legal obligations and confirms the company's registered office address.
Every limited company is legally required to file a confirmation statement, at least once every 12 months, even if the company is dormant.
What to Include in a Confirmation Statement
To complete a confirmation statement, you just need to verify the information recorded with Companies House and confirm for the correctness at the time of submission. Below information must be reviewed:
- Registered office address
- Current company officers (directors, secretaries, LLP members)
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
- Statement of capital
- Trading status of shares
- Information about People with Significant Control (PSCs) within your company
- Exemption from keeping a PSC register
- Shareholder information
Reporting Changes through a Confirmation Statement
Companies have the option to report changes, such as a SIC codes, shareholder details, statement of capital, trading status of shares, exemption from keeping a PSC register, through a confirmation statement.
To update other information such as officers’ details, PSCs, and the registered office, you must report them separately using a relevant Companies House forms.
Confirmation Statement Fee
Confirmation Statement does incur a annual filing fee of £34. You will only be charged once with annual fee during your 12-month review period. But, you can update your company details as often as required for no additional charge.
Confirmation Statement Deadline
The Confirmation Statement must be filed at least once a year, and you have 14 days from the due date of your "review period".
Your review period starts on:
- the date of company formation, or
- the ‘statement date’ of the previous confirmation statement
Note: The statement date is the date on which you must confirm that the company information recorded at Companies House is correct.
Your review period ends the day before:
- the anniversary of company formation, or
- the statement date of the previous confirmation statement
For example, you have formed a company on 1st July, 2023.
- Your 12-month review period start date is: 1st July, 2023
- Review period end date is: 31 June 2024
- Statement date: 31 June 2024
- Filing deadline: 14 days later, on 14 July 2024
How to File Confirmation Statement?
There are 3 ways to file confirmation statement to Companies House:
- Download and fill in a confirmation statement form and post it to Companies House
- Online via WebFiling service. You’ll need your password and authentication code. Register for online filing for the first time filings.
- Online with the help of small business accountants by GoForma
Who is responsible for filing a confirmation statement?
Company officers, specifically the directors are responsible for filing a confirmation statement. They must ensure accurate and timely submission to Companies House and confirm the correctness of the company's provided information. Some companies may delegate this responsibility to professional limited company accountants, but it remains the company's legal duty to ensure accurate statement submission.
Confirmation Statements for Dormant Companies
While dormant companies or non trading companies may have no significant activity, they are still required to file a confirmation statement. This statement serves as confirmation of their dormant status. Even if there are no changes, dormant companies need to review the information provided in their last confirmation statement.
What happens if I miss my Company Deadlines?
If you miss the deadline, you should file the confirmation statement as soon as possible even there is no penalty for late filing, but it is a criminal offense. Filing the confirmation statement is crucial to avoid serious consequences.
Failure to file a confirmation statement may lead to the company being struck off the register, causing company dissolution because the Companies House will assume that the company is no longer trading. If this happens, your company will cease to exist and the company assets will pass to the Crown.
Confirmation Statement Vs Annual Accounts
A confirmation statement, filed annually with Companies House, serves to confirm and update the information and structure about a company.
Annual Accounts, also known as financial statements or statutory accounts, provides company's financial performance and activity during the previous year.
Filing a confirmation statement is an essential requirement to fulfill legal obligations. It ensures transparency and provides accurate information about the company's structure, officers, and shareholders. For professional assistance and a hassle-free experience, trust GoForma. Check our Google and Trustpilot reviews to see why small business owners like you choose us. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on what you do best – running your business. Hire our small business accountants today and stay ahead in the world of business compliance.
