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Template · Companies House
Companies House Late Filing Penalty Appeal Template (UK, Free Download)
Formal appeal against a penalty for filing limited company accounts late with Companies House.
Built by a practising Chartered Accountant · Unlimited users · 60-day free trial · Last updated 23 September 2026
Quick answer
Companies House penalties for late filing are automatic and strict. To successfully appeal, you must demonstrate exceptional circumstances that prevented filing on time. [VERIFY] You can submit an appeal online through the Companies House service.
Who is this sent to, and when?
- Sent to
- Companies House
- When to send it
- Within 30 days of penalty notice
How strict is Companies House on penalties?
Very strict. Common reasons like 'my accountant was busy' or 'I forgot the deadline' are never accepted. You need to prove something truly exceptional happened.
Accepted reasons usually involve a major, unforeseen event just before the deadline that made it impossible to file.
Preview the template
Check the current process on GOV.UK before sending — many requests are now made online.
Companies House Late Filing Penalty Appeal Template
Appeal against Late Filing Penalty
Companies House
Late Filing Penalties Department
Crown Way
Cardiff CF14 3UZ
Date: [Date]
Company Name: [Company Name]
Company Number: [Company Number]
Penalty Reference: [Penalty Reference]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally appeal against the late filing penalty of £[Amount] issued on [Date] for the accounts ending [Year End Date].
The accounts
Preview shows the opening and key sections. The full editable file is free to download below.
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Send this from Remindoo
Save it once in Remindoo and send it from there. Store the wording as an email template, then use tokens so client names, company numbers and dates fill in automatically. Send it to one client or to a filtered group with bulk client emails. For requests that repeat, pair it with automated reminders and a recurring task so it goes out every period without anyone remembering.
What are the common mistakes?
- Appealing with a weak excuse
- Not attaching evidence
- Missing the 30-day window
- Confusing Companies House penalties with HMRC penalties
“Companies House integration onboards clients in minutes; AML scoring keeps us compliant.”
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal online?
Yes, you can use the 'Appeal a late filing penalty' service on the GOV.UK website.
What is the penalty for being one day late?
For a private company, it's currently £150, increasing the longer the accounts remain unfiled.
Does a strike-off action stop the penalty?
No, penalties continue to accrue until the accounts are filed or the company is dissolved.
What evidence do I need?
Independent evidence such as a doctor's letter, police report, or insurance claim is usually required.
Can the accountant's error be an excuse?
Almost never. The directors are ultimately responsible for ensuring accounts are filed on time.
How long does the appeal take?
It usually takes several weeks for Companies House to review an appeal.
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Sources
Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice.
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When client details, deadlines, documents and conversations are spread across inboxes and spreadsheets, time goes on searching instead of on client work.
One version of the truth
Everyone sees the same services, contacts, deadlines and notes for each client.
Accurate deadlines
Companies House sync brings in company details and filing dates, reducing manual errors.
Better client service
A full timeline means anyone can answer a client question with the history in front of them.
Secure document sharing
A client portal is safer than sending financial documents as email attachments.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Import companies from Companies House rather than typing details by hand.
- Record every service a client takes, so recurring work is created automatically.
- Add a short note after every important client call.
- Ask clients to upload documents through the portal rather than by email.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
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