On 9 June 2026, the government confirmed how it will reform the way companies file their annual accounts with Companies House — and set a firm start date of April 2028.
These changes have had a long and slightly bumpy journey. They were originally expected in April 2027, then paused while ministers listened to concerns from businesses and the accountancy profession. The reforms are now confirmed, with some helpful concessions and a more generous timeline. Every company has at least one full accounting year plus nine months — around 21 months — to get ready.
So there’s no need to rush into decisions. But the direction of travel is now settled, and it’s worth understanding what’s coming.
What’s actually changing?
The reforms stem from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which aims to improve the quality and reliability of the information held on the public register and make it harder for the system to be misused. From April 2028, the main changes are:
Small companies and micro-entities will have to file a profit and loss account. Currently many smaller companies file very limited information. In future they’ll need to file a P&L, as larger companies already do. Importantly, there will be an option to opt out of publishing that profit and loss information on the public register — a concession that addresses real concerns about commercial sensitivity. The exact mechanics of how to opt out are still to be confirmed.
All accounts must be filed using commercial software. From April 2028, every UK company will need to file its accounts in a digital format (iXBRL) through approved commercial software. The Companies House web and paper filing routes for accounts will close. This applies whether you file your own accounts or your accountant files them for you.
Abridged accounts are being scrapped. The option to file abridged accounts is being removed.
A stronger statement for audit exemption. Any company claiming exemption from audit will need to provide a strengthened eligibility statement confirming it qualifies.
Accounts must be filed as a complete set. All the component parts of your accounts and reports will need to be filed together rather than piecemeal.
Less flexibility on shortening your accounting period. The number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period is being reduced, closing off a route that has sometimes been used to delay filing.
One reassuring point: web filing isn’t disappearing entirely. It will remain available for non-accounts filings such as confirmation statements and updates to director details — it’s specifically the accounts filing routes that are moving to software only.
Who does this affect most?
If you run a small or micro company and currently file simple accounts yourself through the Companies House website, this is the change most likely to affect you directly. The move to software-only filing means the free web route you may rely on today won’t be there for accounts after April 2028.
This will feel familiar to some directors. The free joint HMRC and Companies House filing service (often called CATO) already closed on 31 March 2026, which pushed many smaller companies towards commercial software for their Corporation Tax return. The April 2028 changes are very much the next step along the same road, rather than a surprise.
Why is the government doing this?
The aim is to make the register more transparent, accurate and useful — for lenders, suppliers, investors and anyone making decisions based on a company’s filed information — and to make it harder for criminals to abuse company structures. Filing in a consistent digital format also makes the data easier to check, compare and analyse.
The opt-out on publishing profit and loss information is the balance the government has struck between that transparency goal and the genuine privacy and competitive concerns of smaller businesses. Even where a company opts out of publication, Companies House, HMRC and law enforcement will still be able to see the information.
What should you do now?
There’s no need to act immediately, but a little forward planning will make the transition smoother:
- Review how you currently file. If you file your own accounts via the Companies House website, it’s worth thinking ahead about moving to compatible commercial software before 2028.
- Look into your software options. The right package depends on your company’s size and how you handle your accounts and tax, and ideally it should work for both Companies House and HMRC. Companies House publishes a list of approved software providers on GOV.UK.
- Consider the publication decision early. If you’re a small or micro company, it’s worth thinking ahead about whether you’ll want to opt out of publishing your profit and loss figures once the detail is confirmed.
- Watch for official communications. Companies House will be contacting companies directly via their registered email address as the finer details — particularly the opt-out process — are confirmed.
The bottom line
The April 2028 reforms represent a meaningful shift, especially for the smaller companies that have so far filed limited information through the free web route. But with around 21 months’ notice and a confirmed set of rules, there’s plenty of time to prepare. The key is to understand what’s coming, keep an eye out for further detail on the publication opt-out, and start thinking about how you’ll file once the software-only requirement takes effect.
This article is for general information only and reflects the position as at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal, accounting or professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Rules and timelines may change, and some details — including the profit and loss publication opt-out process — are still to be confirmed. You should seek advice from a suitably qualified professional before acting on anything covered here.