Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Filing Dormant Company Accounts (UK 2025)
- JDA Team
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Filing dormant company accounts with Companies House is a legal requirement in the UK — even if your company hasn’t traded. The good news? It’s a straightforward process when you know what’s involved.
In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll learn:
What “dormant” means for a UK company
Exactly what information you need to prepare
How to file dormant accounts online (and by paper)
Key deadlines, penalties, and common mistakes to avoid
Whether you’re a small business owner, a director of a holding company, or simply keeping a company name reserved, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
Confirm your company is dormant
Before filing, you must make sure your company qualifies as dormant. A company is considered dormant if it has had no significant transactions during the financial year.
Significant transactions include buying or selling goods and services, paying salaries, or earning interest. Insignificant transactions (which don’t break dormancy) include:
Payments for shares when the company was formed
Companies House filing fees
Late filing penalties
If your company only had insignificant transactions, it qualifies for dormant accounts.
Tip: You may also want to check you have the dormant SIC code for your company on the Companies House register.
Gather the required information
To file dormant accounts, you’ll need:
Company registration number (from Companies House)
Authentication code (for online filing)
Balance sheet (even if there’s been no activity)
Details of company directors
If you don’t have your authentication code, you can request it from Companies House, but allow up to 5 days for delivery.
Prepare the Balance Sheet
Dormant accounts typically consist of a simple balance sheet and a few notes. For many dormant companies, the balance sheet only shows:
Share capital
Cash in hand/bank (if any)
However, if your company traded in previous years, you might have more line items.
Requirements:
Use the correct Companies House format
Include the date the accounts cover
Have the balance sheet signed by a director
You can find the official layout in the AA02 form.
File your dormant accounts
A quick and simple way is to file it online yourself using our online service - File now. Alternatively, you can file using the Companies House WebFiling service (only available until April 2027), or file by paper using the AA02 form.
Know your deadlines and penalties
Dormant accounts must be filed every year, within nine months of your company’s financial year-end.
Penalties for late filing:
Days Late | Penalty |
Up to 1 month | £150 |
1 to 3 months | £375 |
3 to 6 months | £750 |
More than 6 months | £1,500 |
Other filings to remember
Even if your company is dormant, you still have other obligations:
Annual Confirmation Statement – Filed separately with Companies House to confirm your company’s details.
Corporation Tax Return – You might still need to submit one to HMRC if requested. If your company is dormant, inform HMRC to avoid unnecessary returns.
Tip: Keep an eye on HMRC letters — they’ll tell you if you need to file. You can notify HMRC online that your company is dormant so as to avoid the need to file corporation tax returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I file dormant accounts for free? Yes, if you file directly with Companies House online (only until April 2027). Our service is for those who want it done professionally, quickly and stress-free.
Q: What if I miss the deadline? You’ll receive a penalty, which increases the longer you delay.
Q: Do I still need an accountant? For dormant accounts, you won't need an accountant if you use our online software. Here at Just Dormant Accounts we make filing your dormant accounts as simple as possible and for a very low fee.