What Your Business Needs to Know About Digital-Only Filing in 2026
📢 A Major Shift in Company Reporting is Coming
If your business is registered with Companies House, a significant change is on the horizon. The UK government has introduced a new way for businesses to file their financial reports — and it’s designed to simplify the process, enhance transparency, and reduce fraud.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, companies will soon be able to file annual accounts and Company Tax Returns in one place, directly through Companies House, rather than submitting them separately to Companies House and HMRC.GOV.UK
🔄 What’s Changing and Why?
One Integrated Filing Process
Currently, businesses submit:
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Annual Accounts to Companies House
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Company Tax Returns (CT600) to HMRC
This involves two different portals, two sets of deadlines, and often duplicated information. The new reform aims to combine both into a single digital submission, helping streamline compliance and improve data accuracy.
The Goal of the Reform
According to Companies House’s official roadmap, the reforms aim to:
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🧾 Reduce administrative burden on businesses
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🔍 Combat fraud and improve data accuracy
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💻 Support a fully digital, paperless filing environment
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🏛️ Increase accountability and corporate transparency
💡 What Does This Mean for Your Business?
Mandatory Digital Filing
All companies will soon be required to file accounts and tax returns digitally using software approved by Companies House and HMRC. Paper submissions will be phased out for most businesses, in line with Companies House’s move toward full digitisation.HMRC
Approved Software Required
You’ll need to ensure you’re using compatible accounting software HMRC. At Pearson McKinsey, we work with all major HMRC and Companies House-approved platforms, including:
Discounts for QuickBooks and Xero
Because we purchase licences in bulk, we can offer discounted pricing for QuickBooks and Xero subscriptions for our clients — helping you stay compliant without breaking the bank.
Aligned Filing Deadlines
With both accounts and tax returns being submitted together, filing deadlines may become more consistent — meaning less room for error, but also tighter timelines. Accurate and timely bookkeeping will become even more crucial.
🛠️ How Pearson McKinsey Can Help
Expert Guidance, Tailored Support
We understand that regulatory changes can be overwhelming, especially for SMEs. That’s why we offer comprehensive support to help you stay ahead of the curve.
✔️ Digital Filing Setup
We’ll help you transition to digital-only filing, making sure you’re set up with the right software and fully compliant with new standards.
✔️ Software Licences at Lower Cost
Take advantage of our bulk software discounts on QuickBooks and Xero, available exclusively to our clients.
✔️ Real-Time Compliance Monitoring
We keep track of your deadlines, submission status, and any compliance alerts, so you don’t have to.
✔️ Fully Managed Submission Service
From compiling your accounts to submitting the CT600 and final filings — we handle it all, giving you complete peace of mind.
📆 When Are the Changes Happening?
Anticipated Rollout Timeline
The current joint filing service with HMRC and Companies House will close on 31 March 2026, meaning from 1 April 2026 you’ll need to use commercial software to submit both accounts and Company Tax Returns separately.
Additionally, all companies will be required to file annual accounts via commercial software by 1 April 2027, in compliance with the Corporate Transparency reforms. GOV.UK
Why Prepare Early?
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✅ Avoid non-compliance penalties
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✅ Get familiar with approved software
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✅ Ensure your processes are audit-ready
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✅ Take advantage of available discounts and support
🎯 Who Will Be Affected?
Businesses That Need to Prepare
These changes apply to:
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All UK limited companies
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Many LLPs
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Some overseas entities registered in the UK
If you currently rely on paper filing or manually submit documents to HMRC and Companies House, you’ll need to update your systems.
✅ Your Next Steps with Pearson McKinsey
If you’re a client of Pearson McKinsey, you’re already in safe hands. We’re proactively preparing all our clients for these changes and will guide you every step of the way.
Here’s what we recommend:
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Get in touch to review your current accounting systems.
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Upgrade to digital software if you haven’t already.
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Ask us about our discounted QuickBooks and Xero licences.
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Book a free consultation to ensure you’re ready for 2026.
📝 Final Thoughts
The move toward a unified filing system is a positive step for UK businesses — saving time, improving accuracy, and reducing regulatory complexity. But with change comes responsibility. Early preparation will be key to avoiding disruptions.
At Pearson McKinsey, we’re already one step ahead. Whether you need help transitioning to digital software, filing your returns, or staying compliant with new regulations, our experienced team is here to help.
📞 Let’s Get You Ready
Need help navigating these changes or switching to approved accounting software?
Get in touch with us today:
📞 Call us at: 020 8520 8442
✉️ Email us at: info@pearsonmckinsey.co.uk
🌐 Visit our website: www.pearsonmckinsey.co.uk