Lots of sites say Companies House web filing closes in April 2027 and you'll need software to file accounts. That deadline was paused in January 2026. Here's the accurate position for dormant and small companies - and what you actually need to do now.
If you own a dormant or small company, you have probably read that Companies House is about to force everyone to file accounts through commercial software, and that the free web filing route closes in April 2027. It is repeated on a lot of accountancy and formation-agent websites.
It is out of date.
What actually happened
The move to software-only accounts filing was part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and April 2027 was the date being briefed. In January 2026, Companies House paused it. The change is under review, no replacement date has been set, and Companies House has said companies will get at least 21 months' notice before any new requirement takes effect.
So, as things stand:
- There is no live April 2027 software-only deadline.
- Web filing has not closed.
- If and when it does change, you will have well over a year's warning.
What has actually changed (and is worth knowing)
- Confirmation statement fee rose to £50 on 1 February 2026 (it was £34).
- Director and PSC identity verification became mandatory from 18 November 2025, with existing directors needing to verify before the company's next confirmation statement, and a backstop of 18 November 2026. This one matters: an unverified director can block the confirmation statement, which can escalate to strike-off.
- The HMRC/Companies House joint filing service (CATO) closed on 31 March 2026.
What this means for a dormant company
Nothing urgent about "software-only filing". Your real obligations each year are unchanged: file a confirmation statement and dormant accounts on time, and make sure your directors are ID-verified. Miss those and the company risks penalties and strike-off - the software question is a distraction by comparison.
The honest summary
Ignore the 2027 software-only headlines for now. When the change is confirmed you will have notice, and if you use a provider who files through software already, it will never be your problem. What deserves your attention this year is director ID verification and simply filing on time.
If you would rather not think about any of it, Fundsure keeps a dormant company compliant with Companies House for a fixed £149 a year, all in - see dormant company accounts.