Running a UK business means navigating a complex web of compliance obligations throughout the year. From Companies House filings and VAT returns to corporation tax payments and payroll submissions, the sheer volume of deadlines creates constant administrative pressure that distracts from actually growing your business.

Missing even a single deadline can trigger penalties ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds, damage your credit rating, and create cascading compliance problems that take months to resolve. Yet every year, thousands of otherwise well-run businesses face these consequences simply because they lost track of when filings were due.

The solution is not working harder or creating more elaborate spreadsheets. It is about implementing a systematic approach to compliance tracking that works reliably regardless of how busy your business becomes. This comprehensive guide maps out the essential compliance deadlines every UK business must track in 2026 and shows you how free mobile apps can automate this entire process.

Your Complete Companies House Compliance Calendar

Companies House obligations form the backbone of UK business compliance. Every limited company must maintain accurate public records and submit regular filings that confirm company status, management structure, and financial position.

Annual accounts represent your most substantial Companies House obligation. Private companies must file accounts within nine months of their financial year end. If your financial year ends on December 31, 2025, your accounts must reach Companies House by September 30, 2026. Public companies face tighter six-month deadlines.

Late account filings trigger automatic penalties starting at 150 pounds for filings up to one month late. This escalates to 375 pounds for one to three months, 750 pounds for three to six months, and 1,500 pounds for accounts more than six months overdue. The penalties apply regardless of company size or circumstances.

Confirmation statements must be filed at least once every 12 months. Your deadline is exactly one year from your last filing date, not tied to your financial year end. This statement confirms your company details including registered office address, directors, shareholders, PSC information, and business activities remain accurate.

The confirmation statement deadline is strict with no grace period. If your last statement was filed on March 15, 2025, your next one must be submitted by March 15, 2026. Many business owners miss this deadline because they assume it aligns with their financial year when it actually operates on an independent schedule.

Changes to company information require immediate reporting. Appointing or removing directors, changing your registered office address, or updating PSC details must all be filed within 14 days of the change occurring. These unexpected filings can appear any time throughout the year and require prompt attention.

VAT Compliance Throughout 2026

VAT-registered businesses face recurring obligations that create regular compliance touchpoints throughout the year. Your specific deadlines depend on your VAT accounting period, but the underlying principles remain consistent.

Quarterly VAT returns apply to most UK businesses. Your return and payment deadline is one calendar month and seven days after your VAT period ends. For the standard quarters ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, your 2026 deadlines are May 7, August 7, November 7, and February 7, 2027 respectively.

Monthly VAT filers work on accelerated schedules with returns due one month and seven days after each period. This means 12 submission deadlines per year rather than four, requiring tighter processes and more frequent financial review.

Making Tax Digital compliance is mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses regardless of turnover. You must maintain digital records and submit returns through MTD-compatible software. Paper submissions are not accepted, making digital infrastructure essential rather than optional.

Late VAT returns trigger 200-pound penalties for first offenses. If you miss four deadlines in a rolling 12-month period, penalties escalate to 1,000 pounds and HMRC may launch compliance investigations that consume significant time and resources.

Corporation Tax and Payroll Deadlines

Corporation tax operates on schedules separate from both VAT and Companies House filings, creating additional dates you must track carefully throughout 2026.

Corporation tax payment is due nine months and one day after your accounting period ends. For a period ending December 31, 2025, payment must reach HMRC by October 1, 2026. This deadline comes months before your Company Tax Return is actually due, catching many businesses off guard.

Company Tax Returns must be filed within 12 months of your accounting period end. Using the same example, the return for the period ending December 31, 2025, is due by December 31, 2026. However, filing your return does not extend your payment deadline, which occurred months earlier.

Interest accrues daily on late corporation tax payments at rates typically exceeding commercial borrowing costs. Even short delays become expensive, and the interest compounds continuously until you pay the outstanding amount.

PAYE and payroll submissions require monthly attention if you employ staff. RTI submissions must reach HMRC on or before the day you pay employees. Monthly payment deadlines fall on the 22nd of each month for electronic payments or the 19th for cheque payments, though most businesses now pay electronically.

Self Assessment and Additional Obligations

Self-employed individuals and company directors with income outside PAYE face Self Assessment tax return obligations with critical deadlines throughout 2026.

The January 31, 2026 deadline applies to both tax payment for the 2024/25 tax year and the first payment on account for 2025/26. This double payment obligation makes January 31 one of the most financially demanding dates in the compliance calendar.

July 31, 2026 brings the second payment on account for the 2025/26 tax year. These biannual payments spread tax liability across the year but require careful cash flow planning to ensure funds are available when needed.

October 5, 2026 marks the online Self Assessment registration deadline for anyone who needs to file a return for the 2025/26 tax year. Missing this registration deadline complicates your ability to file on time even if you later attempt to comply.

Construction Industry Scheme monthly returns are due by the 19th of each month if you pay subcontractors. This creates 12 additional compliance touchpoints annually for businesses operating in construction sectors.

Why Free Alert Apps Transform Compliance Management

Tracking all these deadlines manually across different regulatory bodies, accounting periods, and filing types creates overwhelming administrative burden. Free mobile alert apps automate this entire process, monitoring deadlines 24/7 and notifying you only when action is needed.

UK Companies House On The Go provides comprehensive deadline tracking for all your Companies House obligations including annual accounts, confirmation statements, and officer changes. The app connects directly to Companies House servers ensuring your information is always current without any manual updates required.

Push notifications arrive on your phone at customizable intervals before deadlines. You might receive initial alerts 60 days out, reminders at 30 days, urgent warnings at 14 days, and final notifications at 7 days. This tiered approach gives you ample preparation time while preventing deadlines from being forgotten.

The centralized dashboard shows all upcoming deadlines in chronological order. You can see everything due in the next week, month, or quarter at a glance, making it easy to plan your compliance workload and allocate time appropriately.

Multi-company management is seamless for business owners with multiple entities or accountants serving multiple clients. Add unlimited companies to your watchlist, organize them into custom groups, and monitor compliance across your entire portfolio from one interface.

The app works on both iOS and Android devices with identical functionality. Your watchlist and preferences sync automatically across devices, so checking compliance on your phone during commutes and reviewing details on your tablet at home provides consistent experiences.

Setting up takes less than five minutes. Download the app, search for your company by name or registration number, add it to your watchlist, and the monitoring begins immediately. The app identifies all current and upcoming deadlines without requiring you to manually enter dates.

The 7-day free trial provides full access to all premium features with no credit card required. Test the system with your actual companies, customize alert preferences to match your workflow, and confirm the app delivers real value before making any commitment.

Download UK Companies House On The Go today and eliminate compliance stress from your 2026 business planning.

Download the App:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/uk-companies-house-on-the-go/id6743302358

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.companiesonthe.go

Plan ahead. Stay compliant. Focus on growth.