Important Updates to Know About
We wanted to take a moment to update you on a few regulatory and compliance changes that are either already in effect or coming very soon. None of these are intended to alarm, but they are important, and we believe in keeping you informed so there are no surprises.
1) Companies House filing fees have increased
Companies House has increased a number of its statutory filing fees. The most common filings are confirmation statements.
As a firm, we pass on third‑party costs at cost, and where those costs increase, we unfortunately have to reflect this in our own pricing. As a result, our fees for work that includes Companies House filings will also increase in line with the updated Companies House charges.
If this change affects you directly, we will be in touch to explain what has changed and what it means for you.
Companies House operates an “annual fee” model for confirmation statements: the fee is collected with the first confirmation statement filed in the payment year, and any additional confirmation statements in the same year are free. The companies house charge is now £50 and this has increased from £34 before the 1st of February 2026.
2) HMRC agent registration – nothing for you to worry about
HMRC is introducing a staged requirement for tax advisers/agents who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients to be registered and to have an Agent Services Account (ASA).
The key reassurance here is simple: we are already registered and have been from the beginning, so you do not need to worry about our ability to act for you.
HMRC’s own guidance confirms that if an agent already has an Agent Services Account, they do not need to register again.
3) Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – from April 2026 (and who it affects)
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (sometimes called MTD for ITSA) becomes mandatory in phases starting 6 April 2026.
This first phase affects sole traders and landlords who:
are individuals registered for Self Assessment, and
have qualifying income (from self-employment and/or property) over £50,000 in the 2024 to 2025 tax year.
A quick but important reminder: this is based on income (turnover/gross income), not net profit. HMRC describes it as “qualifying income” and sets the threshold test by reference to that measure.
If you are in scope from April 2026, HMRC requires you (or your agent) to use compatible software to:
keep digital records of income and expenses, and
send quarterly updates to HMRC, and
submit the year-end position through the MTD process.
If you have received a letter from HMRC saying you need to register for MTD, please get in touch. We are here to help.
A couple of helpful “heads-up” updates (from HMRC)
HMRC confirms the rollout is phased: after the £50,000 group from 6 April 2026, those with qualifying income over £30,000 for the 2025 to 2026 tax year are brought in from 6 April 2027.
HMRC also notes plans to lower the threshold further (to £20,000) in a later phase, subject to legislation.
We have already spoken to many clients who we know will be affected and have started those conversations early. That said, we are all human, and if you think this may apply to you — or you are unsure — please do get in touch with us.
The earlier we talk, the smoother the transition will be, and we can make sure you are set up with the right systems and support well before the rules come into force.
4) Director and PSC identity verification (Companies House) – why you may be hearing from them
Companies House has introduced identity verification as a legal requirement for people who set up, run, own or control a UK company. This includes directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). In most cases, you only need to verify your identity once, and you’ll then be issued with a Companies House personal code (an 11‑character code that is personal to you, not to your company).
Once you have your personal code, Companies House uses it to connect your verified identity to the roles you hold on the public register.
A Person with Significant Control (PSC) is someone who owns or controls a company (sometimes referred to as a “beneficial owner”). A company can have one or more PSCs, and Companies House requires PSC information to be identified and maintained.
In most straightforward cases, you are usually a PSC if you meet one or more of these conditions:
you hold more than 25% of the shares or more than 25% of the voting rights, or
you can appoint or remove a majority of the directors, or
you otherwise have the right to exercise (or actually exercise) significant influence or control over the company (including via a trust or firm in certain cases)
The common issue we’re seeing (and why you might get “repeat” prompts)
We have noticed that some clients are receiving prompts from Companies House to verify themselves even though they have already completed identity verification.
When we investigate, the reason is often very simple: the individual has verified and/or provided their personal code for one role, but not for the other. For example, someone has provided their code as a director, but Companies House is still expecting it to be provided for them as a PSC (or vice versa). Companies House specifically notes that PSCs may need to provide their personal code by their due date using a separate PSC service, even where the director code has been dealt with via the confirmation statement process
Companies House also explains that if you’re both a director and a PSC, you typically only need to verify your identity once, but you may still need to provide the personal code in both contexts: as a director on the company’s confirmation statement, and as a PSC via the PSC verification service (by your PSC due date).
Please send us your personal code (so we can file your confirmation statement smoothly).
Before a company files its next confirmation statement, Companies House says you must ensure every director has verified their identity and has a Companies House personal code, and that the personal code for each director must be included in the confirmation statement. If someone else files the confirmation statement on the company’s behalf, directors need to share their personal codes with them so they can be included in the filing.
So, if we act for your company, please kindly send us the Companies House personal code for each director as soon as you have it. This helps us file your confirmation statement without delays or rejections.
If you’re receiving prompts and you’re not sure whether it relates to your role as a director, a PSC, or both, please get in touch. We can help you untangle what Companies House is asking for and make sure everything is properly linked and up to date.