Your company or association must file a Company Tax Return if you get a ‘notice to deliver a Company Tax Return’ from HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ). You must still send a return if you make a loss or have no Corporation Tax to pay. You do not send a Company Tax Return if you’re self-employed as a sole trader or in a partnership - but you must send a Self Assessment return . What it involves When you file your tax return, you work out your: profit or loss for Corporation Tax (this is different from the profit or loss shown in your annual accounts) Corporation Tax bill You can either get an accountant to prepare and file your tax return or do it yourself. If you have a limited company, you may be able to file your accounts with Companies House at the same time as your tax return. Deadlines The deadline for your tax return is 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers. You’ll have to pay a penalty for late filing if you miss the deadline. There’s a separate deadline to pay your Corporation Tax bill . It’s usually 9 months and one day after the end of the accounting period.

Penalties for late filing

You’ll have to pay penalties if you do not file your Company Tax Return by the deadline. Time after your deadline Penalty 1 day £100 3 months Another £100 6 months HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) will estimate your Corporation Tax bill and add a penalty of 10% the unpaid tax 12 months Another 10% of any unpaid tax If your tax return is late 3 times in a row, the £100 penalties are increased to £500 each. If your tax return is more than 6 months late If your tax return is 6 months late, HMRC will write telling you how much Corporation Tax they think you must pay. This is called a ‘tax determination’. You cannot appeal against it. You must pay the Corporation Tax due and file your tax return. HMRC will recalculate the interest and penalties you need to pay. Appeals If you have a reasonable excuse , you can appeal against a late filing penalty online . You’ll need to complete the form in one go – you cannot save and return to it. After you’ve completed the form, print it and send it to the address on the form. You must file your Corporation Tax return before appealing your late filing penalty. Before you start You’ll need: your company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) the date on the penalty notice the penalty amount the end date for the accounting period the penalty is for You’ll also need to explain why you did not file the return by the deadline.

You must usually make any changes (‘amendments’) within 12 months of the filing deadline . You can: use commercial software use HMRC ’s free online filing service , if you sent your return this way write to or send a paper return to the Corporation Tax office HMRC may check for errors in your Company Tax Return . HMRC may charge you a penalty for errors.

Company Tax Returns

Overview

Your company or association must file a Company Tax Return if you get a ‘notice to deliver a Company Tax Return’ from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

You must still send a return if you make a loss or have no Corporation Tax to pay.

You do not send a Company Tax Return if you’re self-employed as a sole trader or in a partnership - but you must send a Self Assessment return.

What it involves

When you file your tax return, you work out your:

profit or loss for Corporation Tax (this is different from the profit or loss shown in your annual accounts)
Corporation Tax bill

You can either get an accountant to prepare and file your tax return or do it yourself.

If you have a limited company, you may be able to file your accounts with Companies House at the same time as your tax return.

Deadlines

The deadline for your tax return is 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers. You’ll have to pay a penalty for late filing if you miss the deadline.

There’s a separate deadline to pay your Corporation Tax bill. It’s usually 9 months and one day after the end of the accounting period.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Company Tax Returns

Overview

What it involves

Deadlines

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Company Tax Returns

Overview

What it involves

Deadlines

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