An online tool enabling firms to simultaneously file annual accounts and tax returns will stop operating in March 2026 and the company registry aims to move to a software model

A joint online filing service for businesses operated by HM Revenue and Customs and Companies House is to close in a year’s time.

The digital tool has previously enabled organisations to simultaneously file their annual accounts and company tax returns with Companies House and HMRC, respectively.

From 1 April 2026, however, firms will need to use a third-party software tool to submit their tax returns. As well as a software option for Companies House, businesses will retain the option of filing their accounts via web services or paper processes.

But, in a notice published this week on GOV.UK, users are advised that “in the future, you’ll only be able to file accounts with Companies House using third party software”.

The update added: “We recommend downloading and saving at least 3 years of accounts filings for your company. You will not be able to access any previous filings on this service after 1 April 2026. Start considering your software filing options. You’ll need to find a suitable software provider that can meet your filing needs for both Companies House and HMRC.”

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The company registry said that it aims to “give companies at least 21 months’ notice” before switching to a software-only filing model.

In the meantime, the joint web service with HMRC “is closing because it’s now outdated [and] no longer aligns to modern digital standards, enhanced corporation tax requirements or changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act”.

“Closing the service also reinforces the big changes taking place at Companies House, as we implement further measures set out in the ECCTA and introduce new processes such as identity verification,” the GOV.UK notice said.

It added: “Filing accounts through software gives you the greatest flexibility to showcase the financial data of your company. It can also give you a variety of functionality to support the running of your business. Many software providers offer a range of accounting packages to help you prepare and file accounts – you can find software for filing company documents. This future change supports our goal of enabling a fully digital filing service. It will also help us to meet our organisational priority to prevent economic crime and bring the UK in line with international best practice.”