2025 Dormant company checklist (+free PDF download)

If you own a dormant company, you still have to keep your company compliant. Even if your business isn’t trading, Companies House and HMRC still expect you to meet certain obligations — and missing them can lead to hefty late filing penalties or even having your company struck off.

The good news? Filing dormant accounts is quick, simple, and inexpensive — but only if you know exactly what steps to take and when.

In this post, we’ll walk you through a practical 2025 checklist that will keep your dormant company compliant all year round. Plus, you can download the free printable PDF version at the end, so you’ll never miss a deadline again.

Why you still have to file as a dormant company

Many directors think “My company isn’t trading, so I don’t need to do anything.” Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. A dormant company is still an active legal entity in the eyes of Companies House. That means:

• You must file annual accounts.

• You must file a confirmation statement.

• You must keep your registered office address and director details up to date.

Failing to do so can result in:

• Automatic late filing penalties (starting at £150 for being just one day late)

• Company strike-off

• Your name being disqualified from being a director in the future

The 2025 dormant company checklist

Here’s what you need to check off to keep your dormant company in good standing this year.

1. Know your filing deadlines

• Dormant company accounts — due most often 9 months after your company’s accounting reference date (ARD). For example: If your ARD is 31 March 2025, your filing deadline is 31 December 2025.

• Confirmation statement — due at least once every 12 months, usually on the anniversary of your company’s incorporation.

Tip: You can check your exact deadlines for free on the Companies House website by searching your company name.

2. Confirm your dormant status

Before filing, make sure your company still qualifies as dormant. A company is dormant if:

• It has had no significant accounting transactions during the year.

• It hasn’t received income, paid dividends, or had major expenses.

• It hasn’t traded in any way.

Transactions that are allowed while dormant include:

• Paying Companies House the annual confirmation statement fee

• Paying fees to change your company name

• Paying penalties to Companies House

If you’ve done anything outside these exceptions, your company may no longer be dormant and you’ll need to file trading accounts instead.

3. Prepare your dormant company accounts

For most small dormant companies, this is a simple process:

• A balance sheet showing your company’s position

• A statement confirming the company has been dormant for the year

Easiest way to prepare: Use an approved online filing service (like ours at Just Dormant Accounts) to avoid paper forms and reduce errors.

4. File your confirmation statement

This confirms:

• Your company’s registered office address

• Details of directors and secretaries

• Shareholder information

• Nature of business (SIC code — dormant companies usually use 99999)

You can file this online via Companies House or through an agent. Even if nothing has changed, you still have to submit it.

5. Keep your registered office address current

Your registered office address is where Companies House sends official notices. If it’s wrong or you’re not checking it, you could miss important legal letters.

Tip: If you’re using a virtual office or accountant’s address, confirm they’re still forwarding your mail.

6. Keep director details up to date

If you add, remove, or change the details of a director (including address changes), you must notify Companies House immediately using the correct forms.

7. Keep a compliance calendar

Deadlines are easier to manage when they’re visible. In our free PDF checklist, you’ll find:

• A printable deadline tracker

• A space to note your ARD and confirmation statement due date

• Tick boxes for each compliance task

Our £9 online filing software

• No complicated forms

• No accountant needed

• Secure online submission

• Directly filed to Companies House

Thousands of UK directors use Just Dormant Accounts to avoid stress and late penalties.

Download your free 2025 dormant company checklist

We’ve put together a free PDF checklist you can print or save to your computer.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A step-by-step compliance guide

• Deadline tracker for accounts and confirmation statement

• Space to record your Companies House authentication code

• Quick info and tips for each task

Download your free PDF checklist below (no email address required)