8th January 2026
From 1 February 2026, Companies House will introduce a significant set of fee changes that will affect limited companies, LLPs, and other registered entities across the UK. These changes reflect broader reforms aimed at improving the integrity and transparency of the UK’s corporate register — but they also mean higher compliance costs and more administrative precision for businesses.
What’s Changing – Key Filing Fee Updates
The most notable fee changes confirmed by Companies House for digital filings for Limited Companies include:
- Company incorporation (digital) – increasing from £50 to £100.
- Confirmation statement (digital) – increasing from £34 to £50.
These changes are part of annual fees reviews and are designed to fund the continued delivery of core registry services as well as enhanced anti‑fraud and transparency measures introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT Act).
Why These Fee Changes Matter for Your Business
Many directors and finance teams may wonder whether these are just routine adjustments – but in reality, the environment for company secretarial compliance has shifted significantly in recent years.
1. Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
Companies House now has broader powers to query, challenge, and remove false or misleading information from its registers. Part of the revenue from the fee increases is being used to escalate enforcement capability, including support for The Insolvency Service’s work on investigations and director disqualifications.
This means that incorrect or incomplete filings are much more likely to trigger compliance notices, queries, or even enforcement action — something that was far less routine in past years.
2. Complexity of Reporting Requirements
Beyond fees, the governance landscape has become more nuanced:
- Mandatory identity verification for directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) began in November 2025, with Companies House now requiring individuals to confirm their identity before appointments are confirmed.
- Ongoing reform discussions around accounts filings and software requirements signal that administrative obligations will continue to evolve. While some proposals (like enhanced accounts disclosure for small companies) have faced delays or revisions, the trend towards greater transparency remains clear.
Together, these developments have shifted what was once a relatively routine filing process into a strategic compliance activity that requires careful planning and expert oversight.
The Bank and Government Lens: Accuracy is Not Optional
With banks, lenders, and regulators paying closer attention to the Companies House register, accuracy isn’t just good practice — it’s crucial:
- Credit decisions and business lending often hinge on confirmation statements and incorporation data. Inaccurate historic filings can delay or jeopardise approvals.
- Government checks, including anti‑money‑laundering and procurement vetting, increasingly cross‑reference Companies House data with other official records.
- Incorrect or outdated information may trigger inquiries or audit flags, impacting everything from business grants to contract awards.
In short: getting your company data right matters more now than ever.
How THL Accountancy Can Help
At THL Accountancy, we understand that today’s company secretarial landscape is far more demanding than it used to be — and that your time is better spent growing your business, not wrestling with compliance forms.
Here’s how we support your company secretarial needs:
✔ Fee Impact Planning & Budgeting
We’ll help you anticipate and budget for the new Companies House filing fees, ensuring you avoid surprises and integrate costs into your financial planning.
✔ End‑to‑End Filing Support
From initial incorporation to annual confirmation statements and strike‑off applications, we handle submissions on your behalf — accurately and on time.
✔ Data Integrity Assurance
Our team conducts meticulous checks of director details, registered office addresses, PSC information, and other statutory data to ensure your public record is correct and robust.
✔ Regulatory Change Guidance
We keep you informed about changes to Companies House requirements, identity verification obligations, and other compliance developments, including what they mean for your business operations.
✔ Bank & Third‑Party Preparedness
Whether you’re opening a business account, seeking credit, or undergoing due diligence, we make sure your Companies House profile withstands scrutiny.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Companies House fee changes are more than a simple government update — they signal a clear shift toward enhanced transparency, compliance risk, and administrative precision for UK companies. Directors and finance teams must adapt quickly to avoid penalties, costly mistakes, and operational disruption.
THL Accountancy is here to support you at every step, turning complex company secretarial compliance into a stress‑free, professionally managed process.
📞 Contact us today to discuss your company secretarial needs and ensure your filings are watertight and future‑ready.