{"id":6335,"date":"2025-04-24T13:51:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T12:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6335"},"modified":"2025-04-24T12:51:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T12:51:56","slug":"hmrc-is-closing-its-free-company-tax-return-filing-service-what-your-business-needs-to-do-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/hmrc-is-closing-its-free-company-tax-return-filing-service-what-your-business-needs-to-do-now\/","title":{"rendered":"HMRC is closing its free Company Tax Return filing service \u2013 what your business needs to do now"},"content":{"rendered":"

From 31 March 2026, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will permanently close its free online service for filing Company Tax Returns and annual accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you currently rely on this system, you will need to switch to commercial software to stay compliant.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is HMRC closing its free Company Tax Return system?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

HMRC says the platform no longer meets current digital standards or reflects recent changes in UK company law.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The system was designed over a decade ago for small, unrepresented companies with simple tax affairs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, specialist tax software offers a wider range of features, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Better validation checks<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Integrated support and reminders<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Seamless filing to both HMRC and Companies House<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        How to prepare for the HMRC filing service closure<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

        You do not need to wait until the last minute to make the switch. Start planning now by:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Reviewing your current process, especially if you are still using HMRC\u2019s portal<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Choosing commercial software that lets you file CT600s, tax computations and company accounts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \n
            • Setting up your new software and running tests ahead of your next filing deadline<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              There is no need to notify HMRC or Companies House when you move to commercial software.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              Download past Company Tax Returns before they are deleted<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

              After 31 March 2026, you won\u2019t be able to access your previously filed returns through HMRC\u2019s service.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              It is important to download and save at least the last three years of submissions, in case you:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Need to refer back during a compliance check<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n
                • Hire an accountant or agent who needs your past filings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \n
                  • Want to resolve queries with HMRC or Companies House<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    To download a return:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Log in to HMRC and go to \u2018track your submissions\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \n
                      1. Choose the filing period and select the HMRC or Companies House link<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. On the summary page, click \u2018save your return in HTML\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            \n
                          1. Save the file to your computer or a secure folder<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            How to amend or refile Company Tax Returns after 31 March 2026<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

                            Once the HMRC service closes, you won\u2019t be able to amend or resubmit returns through the portal. Instead, you must:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Use commercial filing software (you will need to re-enter the information)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \n
                              • File by post to the Corporation Tax office<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                  \n
                                • Ask a tax adviser or accountant to file on your behalf<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Companies House will also only accept changes via software or paper submission.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                  Do dormant companies still need to file accounts?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

                                  Yes, even if your company is dormant and not trading, you must still file accounts with Companies House each year.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                  Some dormant entities may qualify for a Corporation Tax exemption, such as:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Charities<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                      \n
                                    • Flat management companies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                        \n
                                      • Community amateur sports clubs<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Even if exempt from Corporation Tax, you must still keep Companies House updated annually.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                        Don\u2019t wait until the deadline to switch software<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

                                        With the closure of HMRC\u2019s filing system looming, many businesses will be moving to new platforms over the coming year.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                        This could lead to longer wait times for support, limited availability of training, and a greater risk of errors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                        By switching early, you will avoid the rush and get familiar with your new system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                        Need help preparing for the change?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

                                        We can help you choose the right software, transfer your data securely, and keep your tax filings on track.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                                        Contact us today to speak to one of our tax and accounts specialists.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                        From 31 March 2026, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will permanently close its free online service for filing Company Tax Returns and annual accounts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,125],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6335"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6336,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6335\/revisions\/6336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}