FAQs

What is this service?

Every UK limited company must file annual accounts with Companies House and a corporation tax return with HMRC. We prepare and file both. You answer 10 plain English questions about your company's finances, we prepare FRS105 micro-entity accounts and your CT600 tax return, and you review and approve before we file. No jargon, no accounting knowledge required.

What happened to HMRC's free filing service?

HMRC's joint filing service (CATO) closed permanently on 31 March 2026. If you used it to file your accounts and tax return together, you now need an alternative. This service is a direct replacement — same filings, handled by a chartered accountant, from £49.99 per year.

Who is it for?

UK limited companies with simple finances — trading, consulting, freelance, or similar. Directors handling their own filings rather than using a full-service accountant. No complex group structures. If your company qualifies as a micro-entity (most small limited companies do), this service is built for you.

Who is it not for?

Large or complex businesses, companies with multiple entities or subsidiaries, or highly regulated industries. We do not do bookkeeping or year-round accounting support. If your company doesn't fit, we're happy to point you to someone who can help.

What does it cost?

Pricing is based on your company's annual turnover. Standard filing is £49.99/year for a dormant company or turnover under £5k, £99.99/year under £30k, and £149.99/year over £30k.

If your company needs the managed service, that is £199.99, £249.99 or £299.99 a year on the same turnover bands. Your subscription covers your full accounting period. Cancel at any time.

How long does it take?

Your accounts and tax return are prepared by the next working day after you submit your answers. You review everything before we file.

When do I need the managed service?

Most companies don't. The standard filing covers you if we can prepare everything from your form answers.

You need the managed service if you owed the company money at your year end, if the company is VAT registered, if some of the company's income or costs went through a personal account rather than the business one, or if last year's accounts were wrong and need correcting. In those cases we work from your underlying records rather than your answers, and there is more to do.

The most common one is money owed back to the company. If you have taken cash out that wasn't salary or a dividend, or the company has paid personal costs for you, that counts even if you have never thought of it as a loan. It needs an extra form filed with HMRC, so it is worth telling us about upfront.

If you are not sure, choose the standard filing that matches your turnover. We check every submission before starting and will tell you if more is needed, and what it costs, before any work begins.

Do I need an accountant to file my accounts?

No. Directors can file their own accounts. But preparing accounts correctly, especially the corporation tax return, takes time and knowledge. This service gives you the accuracy of a chartered accountant at a fraction of the usual cost.

Who prepares my accounts?

Andy Drummond ACA, a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW member 1882910). Every filing is personally reviewed before submission.

What are micro-entity accounts?

Micro-entity accounts are the simplest type of accounts a UK limited company can file. They use a standard called FRS105, which requires only a basic balance sheet and profit and loss account — no directors' report, no detailed notes, and only the balance sheet is made public at Companies House. Your company qualifies if it meets two of these three conditions: turnover of £1 million or less, balance sheet total of £500,000 or less, and 10 or fewer employees. Most small limited companies qualify. All accounts we prepare are FRS105 micro-entity accounts.

What is a CT600?

A CT600 is the corporation tax return that every UK limited company must file with HMRC. It reports your company's taxable profits and calculates the tax due. We prepare and file this alongside your annual accounts.

What if I've missed my deadline?

We can still help. Late accounts attract a penalty from Companies House, but the sooner you file, the sooner the penalty stops escalating. We can usually have your filings ready within a day of receiving your answers.

Is my data safe?

Your information is used solely to prepare your accounts and is never shared with third parties. We use encrypted connections and secure payment processing through Stripe.

Any questions?

If you're not sure whether this service is right for your company, or you want to ask something before subscribing, email andy@annual-accounts.co.uk or call 07970 397 609. I reply personally, usually within a few hours.