Companies House accounts filing changes from April 2028 explained

Companies House has confirmed that significant changes to company accounts filing requirements will come into effect from 1 April 2028. The reforms form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and represent one of the most substantial changes to UK company reporting in recent years.

A revised timetable following last year’s pause

Many of the reforms were originally announced in June 2025 and were due to take effect from April 2027. At that time, Companies House confirmed that small companies and micro-entities would be required to file profit and loss accounts, that abridged accounts would be abolished, and that all accounts filings would move to software-only submissions.

However, the proposals prompted a strong reaction from business groups, professional advisers and small business owners. Concerns centred on the increased compliance burden, the cost of purchasing filing software and the prospect of commercially sensitive financial information becoming more widely available. Following this feedback, the government paused the implementation of the reforms while it considered the impact on smaller businesses.

The government has now confirmed that the reforms will proceed, but on a revised timetable. Instead of taking effect in April 2027, the changes will now be introduced from April 2028, giving businesses an additional year to prepare and also providing a compromise on one of the major changes. 

What is now changing? 

All filed accounts must include a profit and loss account

One of the most notable changes is the requirement from April 2028 for all companies, including small and micro entities, to include a profit and loss account in their accounts filed with Companies House. At present, many smaller businesses can file reduced information, meaning that detailed trading results are not made available as part of the accounts filing.

This was one of the most controversial aspects of the original proposals and the government has responded by allowing companies to opt out of the public display of their profit and loss account, although it must still be submitted to Companies House and will remain accessible to HMRC and law enforcement agencies.

Mandatory digital filing

The reforms also continue the government’s drive towards digital reporting.

From April 2028, all companies will be required to file accounts digitally using compliant software. Paper filing and the existing web-based filing routes will be withdrawn and accounts must be submitted in iXBRL format. This change formalises the shift away from manual processes and aligns Companies House with the process already required for Corporation Tax submissions to HM Revenue & Customs.

For many businesses, this may not represent a major operational change, as their accountants are already using compatible software (as Kreston Reeves does). However, companies that do not use a suitable commercial accounting software package for the preparation of their annual financial statements will need to either invest in new software or make new arrangements for the preparation and submission of their accounts.

Other planned changes

The other proposed reforms that will come into effect from April 2028 include:

• removing the option to file abridged accounts 
• reducing the number of times a company can shorten its accounting reference period 
• introducing enhanced statements and declarations that companies must include in their accounts to confirm their eligibility for audit exemption 
• requiring all component parts of the filed accounts and reports to all be filed together 

Why are these changes being introduced?

The government’s stated aim is to improve the reliability, consistency and transparency of information held by Companies House. For many years, concerns have been raised about the ease with which UK companies could be established and maintained with limited verification and reporting requirements. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act seeks to address these concerns by giving Companies House a stronger role in maintaining the integrity of the register.

By requiring more consistent financial information and introducing mandatory digital filing, the government believes it will be easier to identify suspicious activity, detect fraud and improve confidence in UK corporate reporting.

Looking ahead

The April 2028 reforms represent a significant step in the modernisation of UK company reporting with the intention to create a more transparent and trustworthy corporate environment. Many small businesses will be relieved by the government’s decision to allow them to opt out of having their profit and loss accounts publicly available, but there will still be concern for some companies about the increased compliance burden that they will face.

With more than a year and a half before implementation, businesses have time to prepare. However, those affected, especially businesses that currently prepare their own accounts without using compliant software, should start planning early.

If you have any questions regarding how these reforms will impact you or require any assistance with complying with them, please get in touch.