Companies House U-Turn: What the New Filing Rules Mean for Limited Company Contractors

Limited company contractors received a welcome piece of news on the 23rd October 2026, when Companies House confirmed it was pausing plans to require small companies and micro-entities to make their profit and loss accounts public from April 2028.

However, this is a pause to one proposed disclosure requirement, not a cancellation of Companies House reform. Other important changes remain on course, including mandatory software-based accounts filing from April 2028 and existing identity-verification obligations for company directors.

Why has Companies House changed its plans?

The latest announcement confirms that the requirement to file profit and loss information from April 2028 is being paused while alternative approaches are considered.

Companies House says the government will explore simpler reporting arrangements, including ways of reducing duplication between Companies House and HMRC.

Crucially, smaller companies will retain the option to omit, or fillet, profit and loss information from accounts filed on the public register after the 1st of April 2028, where the relevant rules permit it.

This follows recommendations from the Small Business Regulatory Taskforce, which examined ways to reduce administrative burdens on smaller businesses.

Does this mean contractors no longer need to file accounts?

No. Limited companies must continue to meet their existing statutory reporting obligations.

A contractor’s company still needs to prepare annual accounts, submit the required accounts to Companies House, file its confirmation statement and meet its separate corporation tax obligations to HMRC.

The pause concerns the proposed public disclosure of additional profit and loss information. It does not remove the requirement to keep proper accounting records or provide HMRC with the financial information needed for tax purposes.

The information filed publicly can differ from the fuller accounts prepared for members and tax reporting. Contractors should ask their accountant which filing options apply to their company’s size and circumstances.

Software-only accounts filing is still coming in April 2028

One of the most important details in the announcement is what has not changed.

From April 2028, Companies House still plans to require all UK-registered companies to file accounts using commercial software in iXBRL format.

This will apply whether the company files its own accounts or uses an accountant or filing agent.

Existing web and paper-based routes for filing annual accounts are due to close, although online services for non-accounts filings, including confirmation statements, will remain available.

Contractors using accountants should check that their adviser is preparing for the change. Those managing their own company accounts may need to adopt compatible software before the deadline.

Director identity verification remains compulsory

There is another deadline that limited company contractors should not overlook.

Since the 18th of November 2025, identity verification has been mandatory for new directors and people with significant control (PSCs). Existing directors have been required to verify as part of a phased transition linked to their company’s next confirmation statement.

Verification generally produces a Companies House personal code.

Directors must supply that code when filing the relevant confirmation statement. A person who is also a PSC may have a separate 14-day window to provide their code in that capacity.

Failing to comply can prevent a company from filing its confirmation statement and may expose individuals to enforcement action.

The pause to profit and loss disclosure has not relaxed these requirements.

Does the announcement change IR35?

No. Companies House filing requirements and IR35 are separate matters.

Whether an engagement falls inside or outside IR35 depends on the applicable tax legislation, contractual arrangements and actual working practices, not whether a contractor’s company publishes its profit and loss account.

Contractors should continue to review new engagements carefully, particularly where an end client or recruitment agency is making an off-payroll status determination.

An IR35 Contract Review and/or IR35 Status Review can help identify contractual terms that may not support the intended status.

IR35 Insurance may offer specified protection for covered HMRC investigations and liabilities, depending on the policy terms.

What should limited company contractors do now?

The practical response is straightforward: check your company’s next accounts and confirmation statement deadlines, confirm whether director and PSC verification has been completed, and speak to your accountant about the planned 2028 software-filing requirement.

Professional Indemnity Insurance can address covered claims arising from professional errors or omissions, while Public Liability Insurance and Employers’ Liability Insurance address different risks, where appropriate.

These policies do not replace Companies House compliance or automatically cover regulatory penalties.

Roots Contractor Insurance provides these specialist insurance products alongside IR35 Insurance and IR35 Reviews.