Small business accounting

What are the late filing and payment penalties?

Last updated
March 25, 2025

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What are the late filing and payment penalties?

PAYE

RTI late filing will incur a monthly penalty of £100, depending on the number of employees you have.

Self Assessment

A late filing penalty of £100 is imposed if your tax return is up to three months late. The penalty increases if you're later than three months, or if you pay your tax bill late. Additionally, interest will be charged on late payments.

VAT

You may be required to pay a surcharge if you submit a late return. Surcharges for late payments or VAT return filings are indicated on the HMRC website.

Corporation Tax

HMRC's penalties are as follows:

  • 1 day late: £100
  • 3 months late: An additional £100
  • 6 months late: Your total corporation tax bill will be estimated, after which a penalty of 10% of unpaid tax will be imposed.
  • 12 months late: An additional penalty of 10% of unpaid tax will be imposed.

Company accounts

The following penalties for private limited companies will be imposed if you fail to file your accounts with Companies House on time:

  • Up to 1 month late: £150
  • 1 - 3 months late: £375
  • 3 - 6 months late: £750
  • More than 6 months late: £1,500

<h2><strong>PAYE</strong><br></h2><p>RTI late filing will incur a monthly penalty of £100, depending on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-happens-if-you-dont-report-payroll-information-on-time#3" target="_blank">number of employees you have</a>.<br></p><h2><strong>Self Assessment</strong><br></h2><p>A late filing penalty of £100 is imposed if your tax return is up to three months late. The penalty increases if you're later than three months, or if you pay your tax bill late. Additionally, interest will be charged on late payments.<br></p><h2><strong>VAT</strong><br></h2><p>You may be required to pay a surcharge if you submit a late return. Surcharges for late payments or VAT return filings are indicated on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/vat-returns/surcharges-and-penalties" target="_blank">HMRC website</a>. <br></p><h2><strong>Corporation Tax</strong><br></h2><p>HMRC's penalties are as follows:<br></p><ul><li>1 day late: £100</li><li>3 months late: An additional £100</li><li>6 months late: Your total corporation tax bill will be estimated, after which a penalty of 10% of unpaid tax will be imposed. </li><li>12 months late: An additional penalty of 10% of unpaid tax will be imposed.<br></li></ul><h2><strong>Company accounts</strong><br></h2><p>The following penalties for private limited companies will be imposed if you fail to file your accounts with Companies House on time:<br></p><ul><li>Up to 1 month late: £150</li><li>1 - 3 months late: £375</li><li>3 - 6 months late: £750</li><li>More than 6 months late: £1,500</li></ul><p><br></p>

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