This is a regular question we get asked as accountants and as it’s something all companies need to do every year, it’s worth understanding what they are and why you have to file one. Every company needs to file a confirmation statement yearly, even dormant companies, though this year you have the added bonus of having a lawful purpose statement too. The purpose of a confirmation statement is to verify with Companies House that the information they hold on file is correct. These need to be filed even if nothing has changed. If there are any changes then you will need to make them before you file the confirmation statement. This could be changes to the directors or secretary, people with significant control, registered office address or the registered email address.

The details you will need to check may include:

• Registered office address
• Single alternative inspection location (SAIL address)
• Current company officers
• Location of the company’s statutory registers
• Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
• Name of each shareholder
• Shares held by each shareholder
• Statement of capital
• Trading status of shares
• People with significant control (PSCs)
• Exemption from keeping a PSC register

With effect from 5th March 2024 companies are now required to give a registered email address and a statement of lawful purpose. A statement of lawful purpose is a declaration that the company’s future actions will be lawful and not illegal.

Confirmation Statement Deadline

A confirmation statement needs to be filed at least once a year and it must be received no later than 14 days after the end of the 12 month review period. The review period starts on either the anniversary of the date the company was incorporated or the statement date of the previous confirmation statement and ends twelve months later

Example

If your company was incorporated on the 1st March 2023, then your 12 month review period would start on 1st March 2023 and end on 29th February 2024. The statement date would be the 29th February 2024 and the filing deadline would be 14th March 2024.

Whose responsibility is it to file confirmation statements?

It is the directors’ legal responsibility to ensure all statutory filing – this includes confirmation statements – is completed on time and with the correct information. Even if you delegate these tasks to other people like your company secretary or your accountant, the onus is on the directors to make sure this is done.

It’s very important to get these filed on or before the deadline, though there is no financial penalty, it is a criminal offence not to file a confirmation statement. It can have serious consequences for the company and its officers and can affect the company’s ability to get financial lending. The registrar can also take steps to strike off the company or even disqualify or prosecute the directors/designated LLP members.

There are three ways to file a confirmation statement, by post using the CS01 form, online via Webfiling or online through a company formation agent. Filing online is quicker and cheaper and usually comes with helpful additions like checks and data to help you file.

If you would like to find out more or require any help with your confirmation statement, please get in touch.