Positive businesswoman filing paperwork in an office

Contents

  1. 1. What is a confirmation statement?
  2. 2. When do I file a confirmation statement?
  3. 3. How to file a confirmation statement
  4. 4. How do I file my company confirmation statement?
  5. 5. How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?

How to file a confirmation statement

November 14, 2022
Being a business owner means a lot of paperwork, and confirmation statements are another one of those crucial document that you have to fill out and send off. In this article, we’ll be breaking it down for you to make sure it’s a breeze.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement — otherwise known as a CS01 — is a form that limited company directors have to fill out and send over to Companies House once a year. It contains key information on the company and its members, making it essential to be kept up to date.If you’re already familiar with the annual return statement, you might be having a déjà vu moment right now. That’s because the annual confirmation statement is essentially the same as the annual return. The confirmation statement (CS01) replaced the annual return form (AR01) back in 2016, with the major difference being the addition of a 'Persons of Significant Control' section — information on the people who control your company.All companies and LLPs must submit them to the Companies House form once a year, including dormant companies and non-trading companies. Sorry, no one gets out of this one.Companies House is the regulatory body that handles the registration of companies and the maintenance of their records. Unlike information filed at HM Revenue Customs (HMRC), information filed at Companies House is in the public domain and can be accessed by anyone.

When do I file a confirmation statement?

Your first confirmation statement should be filed no later than 14 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of incorporation of your company. For subsequent statements, the deadline will be the date the last statement was confirmed, plus a leeway of 14 days. Companies House often send out a reminder if you haven’t filed within the given period.You must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months. This is known as your 12-month review period, which starts either on your company incorporation date or from the date you filed your last confirmation statement.Even if there are no changes, you have to file a confirmation statement every year to confirm that the company information is still accurate.

Can I file my confirmation statement early?

We love an eager beaver! Yes, you definitely can file your confirmation statement early — just keep in mind that doing so will change your confirmation date. This means that the following year you’ll have to send it off within 14 days of the date you sent it off the year before.

What happens if I file my confirmation statement late?

While missing the confirmation statement filing deadline won’t land you a financial penalty, doing so can affect your company’s credit score and credibility. Remember: information filed with Companies House can be accessed by the public, so having good records that show credibility can only work in your favour.If no confirmation statement is filed within 14 days of the end of your 12-month review period, there’s a risk that your company may be struck off the register and you may be prosecuted. To make sure you avoid these late filing penalties, Ember will keep you posted with in-app notifications and email reminders.

How to file a confirmation statement

Filing your confirmation statement is pretty straightforward, especially if there haven’t been any changes since you last filed. There are two main methods, which we’ll look at below. First, let’s take you through what information you need to update, and where.

Before filing a confirmation statement

Before filing your statement, you’ll need to have the following information close to hand:
    A Companies House account — this isn’t the same as your WebFiling accountYour company numberYour company authentication code

Information to include in your confirmation statement

If you’re filing your confirmation statement for the first time, you’ll need to fill out the following:
    Your registered office addressCurrent company officers, including company directors, company secretary and LLP membersPeople with significant control (PSC)Single Alternative Inspection Location, or SAILLocation of the company’s statutory registers, such as the registered office, SAIL address or Companies HouseStandard Industrial Classification (SIC) codeStatement of capitalTrading status of sharesExemption from keeping a PSC registerShareholder information, including shareholder names and the total shares held by each shareholder
If this isn’t the first time you’re filing, you’ll need to check the information Companies House has and update accordingly.To do this, your confirmation statement will have a section where you can list changes to any of the following:
    Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codeStatement of capitalTrading status of sharesExemption from keeping a PSC registerShareholder information

What if nothing in my company has changed?

Even if nothing has changed, you’ll still need to file a confirmation statement. This will just confirm that your records are up to date and the information HMRC has is correct.

How do I file my company confirmation statement?

As mentioned previously, when filing a confirmation statement, you have two options:
    Online, using the Companies House WebFiling service: This is the easiest method as your information will already be filled in, and only costs £13 to file — or if you’re on our Unlimited plan, we’ll cover the cost of filing for you. All that’s left to do is to confirm that the information is correct or state any changes. By post: If you prefer to file a paper statement, you can download a CS01 paper form and file your confirmation statement via post. It’s worth mentioning that this is the more expensive option of the two, costing £40 to send off.

How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?

Unfortunately, there is a filing fee that comes with your company’s confirmation statement. This amount covers your 12-month payment period, which consistently. Your payment period is separate from your 12-month review period, and cannot be changed.If you choose to file a paper copy, this’ll set you back by £40. With this filing method, you have to include a cheque with your company number indicated on the back.Alternatively, you can choose to file online. After paying the £13 annual fee, you can file as many confirmation statements as you like within a 12-month payment period.
Want to avoid the hassle of filing your own confirmation statement? Let us give you a hand. If you’re on our Unlimited plan, we can review and file your confirmation statement on your behalf, covering the cost for you.

Blessing Lola A.
Blessing Lola A.Freelance Copywriter & CX Specialist

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