Companies House Changes Coming in April 2028

Table of Contents

• What are the Companies House changes coming in April 2028?

• Why these changes matter

• Who these changes affect

• What you need to know

• How it works now vs from April 2028

• What you need to do

• Common mistakes

• When to get help

• FAQs

If you run a limited company, there’s an important Companies House update worth knowing about now. The changes are not happening immediately, but they are confirmed for April 2028, and they will affect how annual accounts are filed.

The good news is there’s still time to prepare. The even better news is that some of the original concerns raised by small businesses have been taken on board, so the final changes are a bit more practical than first expected.

Quick Answer

In short, from April 2028 all companies will need to file accounts using commercial software, small companies and micro-entities will need to file a profit and loss account, abridged accounts are being removed, and some extra filing rules will apply. Smaller companies will, however, be able to opt out of having their profit and loss account published on the public register.

What Are the Companies House Changes Coming in April 2028?

These are Companies House accounts filing reforms linked to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The aim is to modernise filing, improve the quality of information on the register, and make it harder for the system to be misused.

The start date has been pushed to April 2028, which gives companies one full accounting year plus 9 months to get ready.

Why These Changes Matter

For many small businesses, this is a practical change rather than just a legal one. If you currently file accounts using older online routes or paper, that will need to change.

It also matters because more information will need to be filed with Companies House, even if some of it is not made public. That means business owners need to understand what is changing early, rather than leaving it until filing season.

Who These Changes Affect

This is particularly relevant for small limited companies, micro-entities, dormant companies claiming audit exemption, and directors who currently prepare or submit their own accounts.

It also affects businesses that still use WebFiling or paper for accounts, and any company that currently relies on abridged accounts.

What You Need to Know

Here are the main changes coming in April 2028:

• All annual accounts will need to be filed using commercial software in iXBRL format.

• The web and paper filing routes for accounts will close.

• Small companies and micro-entities will need to file a profit and loss account with Companies House.

• Small companies and micro-entities will be able to opt out of having that profit and loss account published on the public register.

• Abridged accounts are being removed.

• Companies claiming audit exemption will need a stronger eligibility statement.

• The different parts of the accounts filing will need to be submitted together.

• There will be tighter rules on shortening an accounting reference period more than once in 5 years.

• The previously expected requirement for small companies to file a directors’ report will no longer apply, based on the latest government announcement.

How It Works Now vs From April 2028

Topic	How it works now	From April 2028
How accounts are filed	Companies can currently file accounts using software, and for some account types there are still online and paper filing routes.	All accounts will need to be filed using commercial software in iXBRL format. Web and paper routes for accounts will close.
Small companies	Small companies can currently choose whether or not to file a profit and loss account with Companies House.	They will need to file a profit and loss account, but can opt out of public publication.
Micro-entities	Micro-entities can currently file only a balance sheet with less information.	They will also need to file a profit and loss account, with an opt-out from public publication.
Abridged accounts	Abridged accounts are currently an option for some small companies if members agree.	This option will be removed.
Audit exemption	Companies claiming exemption already include relevant statements.	A stronger eligibility statement will be required.
Accounting reference period	A company can currently shorten its accounting reference period as often as it likes.	A business reason will be needed if it is shortened more than once in 5 years.

What You Need to Do

1. Check how your accounts are currently filed and whether you already use suitable commercial software. If we are doing your accounts, then don’t worry, we have you covered.

2. Make sure your registered email address at Companies House is up to date, as Companies House has said it will contact companies directly. If you don’t receive any emails from Companies House then this is an indication your email address needs to be updated.

3. If you prepare your own accounts, start looking into software options well before 2028.

4. If you currently file abridged accounts, be aware that this option is being removed.

5. If you are a small company or micro-entity, get comfortable with the fact that a profit and loss account will need to be filed, even if it is not published publicly.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming nothing needs to be done until 2028.

• Waiting too long to move onto software-based filing.

• Forgetting to update your registered email address at Companies House.

• Thinking that ‘not published’ means ‘not filed’ — smaller companies will still need to file the profit and loss account.

• Missing the fact that abridged accounts are being removed.

When to Get Help

If you are not sure how these changes affect your company, it is worth getting advice before the rules go live. This is especially true if you file your own accounts, rely on abridged accounts, or want to understand what the new profit and loss filing rules mean for your business.

At Anlo, we can help you understand what is changing, make sure your filing process is ready, and take the stress out of staying compliant.

The April 2028 changes are not something to panic about, but they are something to plan for. The move to software-only filing and the extra information required for small companies are the biggest points to be aware of.

Need help with the Companies House changes coming in April 2028? Get in touch with Anlo and we’ll help you stay prepared without the last-minute stress.

FAQs

Do I need to do anything right now?

Not urgently, but it is sensible to start checking how your company currently files accounts and whether you will need software or support before April 2028.

Will my profit and loss account be visible to the public?

If you are a small company or micro-entity, the current plan is that you will be able to opt out of having your profit and loss account published on the public register, although it will still need to be filed.

Will WebFiling still be available for accounts?

No. From April 2028, Companies House says the web and paper filing routes for accounts will close, although some other non-accounts services will remain available online.

Are abridged accounts still allowed?

For now, yes in some cases. But from April 2028, the option to file abridged accounts is being removed.

Will small companies have to file a directors’ report?

The latest government statement says that this change will no longer apply.