The Digital Filing Era Begins
From 1 April 2027, Companies House will require all registered UK companies, including dormant companies, to file their annual accounts using commercial filing software.
Paper submissions and WebFiling will no longer be accepted, marking a significant step in the UK’s transition to a fully digital compliance ecosystem.
This shift follows the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) and is aimed at improving data accuracy, validation, and transparency across the UK business register.
What Is Changing?
Under the new Companies House digital filing mandate, companies will see three major updates:
- Software-only filing: Filings must be made through approved third-party or commercial software.
- No more paper or WebFiling submissions.
- Abridged accounts discontinued small and micro-entities must now file a full set of accounts.
These updates ensure all filings are machine-readable, validated, and compliant with modern digital standards.
Why Is This Changing?
The move to digital filing aligns with the government’s goal to:
Improve data accuracy – Enhanced validation ensures fewer filing errors.
Combat fraud and false filings – Digitisation reduces fake entries and identity misuse.
Enhance transparency and accessibility – Public records become more reliable.
Support the ECCTA 2023 reforms – Establishing Companies House as an active gatekeeper of corporate data rather than a passive register.
Who Needs to Comply?
The Companies House software-only filing rule applies to all registered companies in the UK, including:
- Private limited companies (Ltd)
- Public limited companies (PLC)
- Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
- Limited partnerships (LPs)
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Private limited by guarantee (with or without share capital)
- Dormant companies and flat management companies
What Must Be Filed?
- Micro-entities – Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account
- Small companies – Balance Sheet, Directors’ Report, Auditor’s Report (if applicable), and Profit & Loss Account
Note: Abridged accounts will no longer be accepted after 2027.
How Businesses Should Prepare
Transitioning to software-only filing requires planning. Here’s how companies can get ready:
- Switch to compliant filing software – Ensure your current provider supports iXBRL and the new Companies House digital standards.
- Understand new format rules – Prepare to file complete accounts, even for small and micro-entities.
- Train your team or coordinate with accountants – Make sure your finance team understands the new submission process.
- Validate your data early – Avoid last-minute rejections by using tools that pre-validate against Companies House gateways.
The Bottom Line
The Companies House 2027 filing mandate isn’t just a regulatory update, it’s the start of a new digital compliance era. By preparing early, companies can avoid disruption, reduce costs, and ensure smooth submissions.
With DataTracks, you get a trusted partner with 20+ years of experience, 450,000+ reports delivered globally, and 100% compliance assurance.
