News, with a practical perspective.

We link to the original sources below. Sections labelled “Sandycroft analysis” contain our interpretation and practical suggestions. Product and service links are commercial suggestions from Sandycroft, separate from the source reporting.

SOURCED NEWS SUMMARY

The news

Companies House announced on 23 October that the government will pause the planned requirement for small companies and micro-entities to file profit and loss accounts at Companies House from April 2028 while it considers simpler options. During the pause, eligible smaller companies will continue to be able to file abridged accounts and remove, or “fillet”, profit and loss information from the public Companies House filing after 1 April 2028.

A separate change is still scheduled to proceed. From 1 April 2028, all UK registered companies will have to file accounts in iXBRL format using commercial software, whether they file themselves or use an accountant or agent. Companies House says its web and paper services will close for accounts filings from that date, although its web services will remain available for non-accounts filings such as confirmation statements and director-detail updates.

SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS

Keep the two decisions separate

The paused profit-and-loss requirement changes what smaller companies may have to put on the public register; it does not cancel the move to software filing. It also does not change the filing method or deadline that applies to an account due now. Continue following the current rules until Companies House confirms that a later requirement is in force.

Write a short note beside the company calendar: current accounts deadline, who prepares the accounts, who submits them, the present method and the proposed 2028 route. That prevents a future announcement being mistaken for an instruction to buy software immediately or upload additional information today.

SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS

Ask one compatibility question now

If an accountant or bookkeeper files the accounts, ask whether their planned service will create and submit the required iXBRL file after 1 April 2028, and what information they will need from the business. If accounts are filed in-house, check the Companies House software-provider list and confirm that any product considered supports the relevant company and accounts type—not merely bookkeeping, payroll or invoice creation.

Record the answer, product or agent, contract renewal date, expected cost and the person responsible for the transition. Do not assume that software used elsewhere in the business can file compliant accounts; Companies House specifically advises checking whether it supports the required iXBRL tagging.

SANDYCROFT ANALYSIS

Test the handover without risking a deadline

Use a completed prior period to map where the trial balance, supporting schedules, director approvals and final accounts will come from. Check how corrections, revised accounts, acknowledgements and rejected submissions would be handled. Keep company authentication details controlled, avoid emailing access codes casually and make sure the legal company name, number and accounting period match the register.

Set a review point well before the first accounts deadline that falls after 1 April 2028. The useful action now is a documented route and a compatibility check, not a premature migration. Companies remain legally responsible for their accounts even when a professional submits them, so retain the approved figures, submission receipt and acceptance record together.

CHECK THE ORIGINAL REPORTING

Sources & dates