when is corporation tax due

When is the Corporation Tax Filing Deadline?

30/05/2024corporation tax , tax

When is corporation tax due? In this discussion, we’ll explore the key deadlines and rules surrounding Corporation Tax. Including the payment deadline, filing requirements, and what happens if you miss a payment or filing deadline. In case you’re a small startup or a large multinational corporation, understanding when Corporation Tax is due is vital. This is to maintain good financial standing and avoid any issues with HM Revenue & Customs.

Get in touch with our young, clever, and tech-driven professionals if you want to choose the best guide on when is corporation tax due.

When Is Corporation Tax Due?

If you’re a business owner or accountant, it’s essential to know when Corporation Tax is due to avoid any penalties or fines. Corporation Tax is typically due nine months and one day after the end of your company’s financial year. This is known as the “payment deadline.” For example, if your company’s financial year ends on March 31st, the Corporation Tax payment deadline would be December 1st of the same year.

How to Pay Corporation Tax?

You can pay Corporation Tax online or by bank transfer. You’ll need to include your company’s name, address, and Corporation Tax reference number (UTR) with your payment. Make sure to keep a record of your payment, as you may need to refer to it later.

If you miss the payment deadline, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) may charge interest and penalties on the unpaid tax. To avoid this, make sure to pay your Corporation Tax on time or contact HMRC if you’re experiencing difficulties. Make sure to pay online or by bank transfer, including your company’s details and UTR number.

Who Pays Corporation Tax?

Who exactly pays this tax? In this explanation, we’ll break down the types of organisations that are required to pay Corporation Tax.

 

Unincorporated Associations

Unincorporated associations, such as clubs, societies, and charities, may also be required to pay Corporation Tax if they have a trading income. This includes income from activities such as selling goods or services, renting out property, or investing in assets.

Co-operatives

Co-operatives, which are businesses owned and controlled by their members, are also subject to Corporation Tax. This includes worker co-operatives, housing co-operatives, and consumer co-operatives.

Foreign Companies

This includes companies that are resident in another country but have a permanent establishment in the UK.

Exemptions

Some organisations are exempt from paying Corporation Tax, including:

  1. Sole traders and partnerships (although they may be required to pay Income Tax)
  2. Charities and non-profit organisations (although they may be required to pay tax on trading income)
  3. Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs)

Corporation Tax Penalties

Corporation Tax is a vital revenue stream for the UK government, and failing to comply with tax obligations can result in significant penalties. If you’re a business owner or accountant, it’s crucial to understand the penalties associated with Corporation Tax non-compliance.

If you miss the payment deadline for Corporation Tax, HMRC may charge a penalty for the unpaid tax. Failing to file your Corporation Tax return on time can result in an automatic penalty of £100. If the return is more than 3 months late, the penalty increases to £200. Additional penalties of up to 10% can be charged if the return is more than 6 months late.

Penalties for Inaccurate Returns

If your Corporation Tax return contains inaccuracies or omissions, HMRC may charge a penalty of the tax due. This penalty can be increased if the inaccuracy is deliberate or 100% if the inaccuracy is deliberate and concealed.

If you fail to pay Corporation Tax or file your return late, you may be subject to a surcharge penalty. You can also make a voluntary disclosure to HMRC if you realise you’ve made an error or omitted information from your return.

Inaccurate Corporation Tax information

Inaccurate information can lead to errors, omissions, and even penalties.

Inaccurate information can include:

  1. Errors in calculations or computations
  2. Omissions of income or expenses
  3. Incorrect claims for reliefs or deductions
  4. Failure to disclose relevant information
  5. Incomplete or inaccurate records

Consequences of Inaccurate Information

If you submit inaccurate Corporation Tax information, you may face:

  1. Penalties of up to 30% of the tax due (or 70% if the inaccuracy is deliberate)
  2. Interest charges on unpaid tax
  3. Delayed or lost tax relief
  4. Increased scrutiny from HMRC
  5. Potential criminal investigation

Risks of Inaccurate Information

Inaccurate Corporation Tax information can also lead to:

  1. Overpayment or underpayment of tax
  2. Incorrect financial reporting
  3. Misleading stakeholders (e.g., investors, shareholders)
  4. Damage to your business’s reputation
  5. Legal and financial consequences

To avoid inaccurate Corporation Tax information:

  1. Ensure accurate and complete records
  2. Double-check calculations and computations
  3. Seek professional advice if unsure
  4. Disclose all relevant information
  5. File tax returns on time

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, when is corporation tax due, Corporation Tax in the UK is a vital revenue stream for the government. To ensure compliance, businesses must file their Corporation Tax returns accurately and on time, and make payments by the due date to avoid interest and penalties.

HMRC takes tax compliance seriously, and understanding when Corporation Tax is due can help you stay on the right side of the law. If you ensure keeping accurate records, seeking professional advice if needed, and meeting deadlines, you can ensure your business meets its Corporation Tax obligations. This will help to avoid any unnecessary consequences.

Reach out to our intelligent and clever-minded guys to get the answer to your queries in the UK, we will get to your answers quickly.

Disclaimer: The general information provided in this blog about when is corporation tax due includes text and graphics. It does not intend to disregard any of the professional advice in the future as well.


Related post

how to file micro entity accounts
How to File Micro Entity Accounts

19/09/2025Accounting

Micro-entities are companies that are smaller in size. They are less reporting-intensive. This is an option enjoyed by many small firms. You may be a micro-entity in case you own a small business in the UK. The simplest way to file micro-entity accounts in the UK is to start by preparing financial statements. This includes a ‘Profit and Loss Account’ and a ‘Balance Sheet’, according to the FRS 105. Then register micro entity accounts online via the Companies House WebFiling service, which would require the Government Gateway log-in and Companies House log-in details. You must also make a company tax return with HMRC separately. To keep pace with deadlines, you can enrol for email reminders from Companies House. You can also submit it by post. We describe in this guide the process of filing micro entity accounts step-by-step. Talk to our best accountants and bookkeepers in the UK at CruseBurke. You will get instant help on how to file micro entity accounts. What are Micro Entity Accounts? The basic law that regulates UK businesses is the Companies Act 2006. This law provides the criteria to determine the size of the company to file returns accordingly. This act has set certain standards to qualify as a micro-entity. The micro entity accounts consist of simplified financial reports for small-sized private companies. Your company should satisfy the following criteria to qualify: Criteria for the period before 6 April 2025: less than £632,000 turnover less than £316,000 balance sheet total less than 10 employees Criteria on/after 6 April 2025: less than £1 million turnover less than £500,000 balance sheet total less than 10 employees One can qualify for a micro-entity if it meets any two of the conditions mentioned in each criterion. You may make a micro entity filing, in case your firm is eligible. This will save a lot of time and effort. You should always validate every year whether or not you qualify. How to File Micro Entity Accounts: A Step-by-Step Guide When your accounts are ready, the next thing is to file them.  There are two main options available: filing with Companies House or filing with HMRC.   1. Filing at Companies House Any annual accounts by UK limited company are to be filed with Companies House. The most popular and the most effective way is to submit micro entity accounts online. Online Filing: Any annual accounts by UK limited company are to be filed with Companies House. The most popular and the most effective way is to submit micro entity accounts online. Paper Filing: It is also possible to file paper accounts, but this is a slower process and is subject to error. Companies House WebFiling and paper filing are being phased out for accounts. From April 1 2027, accounts for all companies, including micro-entities, must be filed using commercial software only.    2. Filing with HMRC You have to file a Corporation Tax Return to HMRC separately. This consists of a complete range of accounts, including the profit and loss account, to find your company’s tax liabilities. Use HMRC Software: A majority of the businesses utilise commercial software to prepare and submit HMRC micro entity accounts in the Corporation Tax Return. Calculation of Tax: The software will assist you in calculating your corporate tax depending on the profit that is presented in your accounts. Companies House and HMRC have different deadlines for filing, so it is important to remember both. Filing Micro Entity Accounts Online: A Modern Approach To file micro entity accounts, the Companies House online service is most suitable in most cases for small businesses. This is not merely an advantage, but also a more stable and safe way. The benefits are: Speed: The processing of your accounts is almost instant. Accuracy: The online built-in checks prevent errors. Security: Your information is safely and securely delivered. Economical: Micro entity accounts online are usually free. The online filing procedure is a simplified and efficient process. Therefore, it is a key choice for many contemporary businesses filing micro-entity accounts. It saves time that you would have spent on compliance, thus allowing you to focus more on your business. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Despite the simplified system, errors are possible. These are some of the pitfalls to be avoided. Missed Deadlines: Any failure to file on time may cause fines and a negative reputation for the company. You should always know your due dates. Wrong Information: There should not be any mismatch of your figures across your various records. Forgetting Statements: It is an error in omitting the necessary statutory statements on the balance sheet. This may result in the rejection of your accounts. Filing the Wrong Accounts: Micro-entities are only able to utilise this regime. You should not even think about filing micro entity accounts until your company qualifies to do so. Filing Micro Entity Accounts Made Simple To sum up the whole process, here’s a simple guide for filing micro-entity accounts. Check Eligibility: You must ensure that your company qualifies for a micro-entity. Organise Records: Collect and compile all your financial records for the year. Prepare Accounts: Prepare balance sheet and profit and loss account. Add Statements: The required statutory statements should be added to the balance sheet. Send to Companies House: File micro entity accounts online with Companies House with only a balance sheet. However, there will be changes to the rules under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. From April 1 2027, all micro-entities will be required to file both the balance sheet and profit and loss account with Companies House. File to HMRC: You can use micro entity accounts when filing your Corporation Tax Return with HMRC. Using this guide will make sure that you submit micro entity accounts on time and properly. Why Choose to File Micro Entity Accounts? There are some important advantages of choosing to file micro entity accounts. The greatest benefit is the decreased disclosure requirements. Micro-entities are not required to prepare a director’s report or strategic …

Read more
Company Tax Return
How to File Company Tax Return!

30/08/2021Limited Company , Tax Issues

All limited companies in the UK need to file a company tax return at the right time. In today’s blog, we’ll have a look at what is a company tax return, how to file it, when you need to file it, and what are the penalties for late filings. Here’s all you should know as a limited company owner.   What is a Company Tax Return? A company tax return (form CT600) is the financial information that includes spending, profits and corporation tax figures reported to HMRC annually. You can also report it to find out how much corporation tax you have to pay. It contains the following documents: Form CT600 Company’s annual accounts Calculations of the company’s tax Any supplementary documents If a company received a notice from HMRC to complete a tax return, then a company must do it as early as possible. It typically happens after the year-end. The deadline for filing a company’s tax return is a year (12 months) after the end of its accounting period.   Get inclusive accounting, bookkeeping, tax, and company formation services with our qualified accountants at an affordable rate. Get in touch today!   Filing a Company Tax Return To file a company’s tax return, you need to ensure that you have: Company’s statutory accounts (annual accounts) that are balanced means your total assets should match with your total liabilities and shareholders’ equity The government gateway ID and its password. If you don’t have one, you need to create it to use the service Your Companies House password and authentication code (in case of filing your accounts together). You can get these when you register with Companies House You can use the paper form (CT600) if: You have a valid reason for not filing online You want to file in Welsh And, you need to complete and post form WT1 to describe the reason behind using the paper form. To file your accounts with Companies House and the Company Tax return with HMRC. You need to have online account details of HMRC, Companies House online account details, and company registration number. Here is what you need to do as per your situation: If you want to file accounts and tax returns together, you can use HMRC’s online service or CruseBurke‘s services If you want to file your accounts with Companies House separately, you can send your accounts to Companies House online or Contact us to do it on your behalf If you want to file a tax return with HMRC separately, you can use HMRC’s online service or our services to do it Note: You’ll only need to prepare and file your Company Tax return yourself if you’re fully confident to do it. Otherwise, you might get in great trouble. So, taking the services of an accountant is worthwhile for the accuracy and efficacy of your return.   If you need the help of an accountant or tax expert, contact our qualified accountants at CruseBurke!    Deadlines for Completing Return To file a return and to pay taxes, you need to follow the below-mentioned deadlines: The return needs to be sent to HMRC within 12 months after the year-end Any Corporation Tax due must be paid within 9 months and a day after the end of the accounting year Suppose, a company’s accounting period is ending on 31 December 2019, it needs to pay any Corporation Tax that is due by 1st October 2020 and file the return by 31st December 2020. Generally, these are filed together. In case of filing them late, your company needs to pay financial penalties.   Penalties for Late Filing On missing the deadline of the return, you need to pay fines. If you’re: One day late, you need to pay a £100 penalty Late for three months, you need to pay another £100 penalty Late for six months, you need to pay an additional/extra penalty of 10% on your corporation tax bill. A year late, you’re levied another 10% penalty on your estimated corporation tax bill On filing a return consecutively late for three times, the £100 penalty will increase to £500.   Quick Sum Up So after reading this post, you have understood: what is a company tax return, how to file them, when you need to file them, and what penalties you need to pay in case you file them late. Bear in mind that only limited companies need to submit it. If your company is dormant for corporation tax, you don’t need to submit it. Moreover, sole traders and partnerships also don’t need to submit a return but their earnings are reported to HMRC.   Turn to CruseBurke for preparing and submitting the return and save your time, money, and stress. We have a team of skilled accountants who will handle everything with HMRC and Companies House on your behalf. Contact us right away!   Get an instant quote for a tailored offer at a fixed fee!   Disclaimer: This blog is written for general information on the company’s tax return.  

Read more