The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has seen Companies House make notable changes over the past few years and further changes will be happening soon.
As such, it is important to understand what has changed and what may change before your next annual filing.
How is Companies House changing in 2026?
If you have not already done so, Directors and PSCs will need to verify their identity before their next annual Confirmation Statement filing or as required by the new verification regulations.
This can be done independently through a GOV.UK One Login account, but it can also be done with an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
In spring 2026, it will be necessary for Limited Partnerships to use an ACSP to have identities verified.
It will not be possible for them to use the GOV.UK One Login.
Alongside this, a change that might catch some unprepared is the increase in filing fees.
From 1 February 2026, the cost of filing a Confirmation Statement digitally will increase to £50, up from the £34 you likely paid last year.
As there is an effort to push more businesses to adopt a digital approach, the cost of paper filing will increase from £62 to £110.
If you are looking to incorporate a company this year, then you will need to contend with increased incorporation costs as digital filings will increase from £50 to £100, while the incorporation paper filing fee will rise from £71 to £124.
How should I prepare for the upcoming changes?
If you have not already verified your identity, then preparing for that should be your top priority.
Determining whether using an ACSP is the right thing for your circumstances will allow you to approach the new regulations with confidence.
There are further changes to Companies House waiting in the wings, as alluded to in the Companies House 2025-2030 strategy.
As of yet, it is not known whether the proposals outlined in that document will manifest as legislation in 2026, but we will keep you updated on any changes you need to know.
Ultimately, Companies House is pushing for greater transparency and heightened scrutiny in filings.
This means accuracy is more important than before and it is wise to seek professional support to ensure that you do not accidentally become non-compliant.
Our team can help you stay compliant with Companies House, so be sure to get in touch today.
