Annual Return to be replaced with annual Confirmation Statement

The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act, proposed changes to the information that is to be provided to Companies House annually.
One of the most important changes is that starting from the 30th of June, 2016 the Annual Return will be replaced by the Confirmation Statement. The purpose of the Confirmation Statement is the same as the Annual Return.

Confirmation Statement

Confirmation Statement is an overview of certain company information at the made-up date.  Every limited company incorporated in the UK is required to file the Confirmation Statement 12 months after incorporation and each year after.

The difference between Confirmation Statement and Annual Return

• With the Confirmation Statement the company does not have to deliver previous information already provided
• Grace period has been reduced from 28days to 14 days
• There is no set date when the confirmation statement must be made, however the period cannot exceed 12 months between each confirmation statement
• The company may file more confirmation statements and will be charged only once a year

How to file Confirmation Statement

The Confirmation Statement can be filed either:

• by paper
• electronically

Filing Fee

The company will pay a filing fee to Companies House when submitting a confirmation statement. The price has not been confirmed yet but it is unlikely that the fee will be more than £13 which is the current annual return filing fee.