Companies House has confirmed fee changes that take effect on 1 February 2026. For company owners and finance leads across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, this is not just an admin tweak, it changes budgets, pricing, and the timing of routine filings. As a local practice, Pennine Accounting is already helping clients plan, update internal price lists, and avoid last minute scrambles.
Here is a plain English overview of what is changing, why it is happening, and the steps we recommend to stay tidy, compliant, and cost aware. Keep this page handy for board packs and team briefings.
What is changing at Companies House from 1 February 2026
Three headline updates stand out, particularly for start ups and small limited companies that rely on low cost digital filings.
- Digital incorporation: The online fee to register a new company will rise from £50 to £100, a 100 percent increase 1. This affects private companies, LLPs, and others using the digital route.
- Confirmation statement: The annual digital filing fee will move from £34 to £50, an uplift of roughly 47 percent 1. The confirmation statementA yearly return that confirms your company information is up to date, including directors, registered office, and people with significant control.
Read guidance remains mandatory for all companies. - Voluntary strike off: The digital fee to apply to close a company will decrease from £33 to £13 3. The voluntary strike offAn application to remove a company from the register when it has no trading activity or remaining obligations.
View process route becomes cheaper.
These changes arrive alongside the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency ActLegislation that strengthens verification, data sharing, and enforcement at Companies House, and aims to combat economic crime.
Policy update. You will see a stronger compliance posture, tighter data checks, and more proactive querying of filings.
Why Companies House fees are increasing
Companies House has stated that the new fees reflect an expanded role in verification and enforcement under recent legislation. In short, more checks, better data quality, and stronger anti‑fraud capabilities require sustained funding 1. For businesses, the trade off is higher filing costs in exchange for a cleaner, more reliable public register.
Some fees rise sharply while one common filing becomes cheaper. The contrasts are deliberate, tied to the cost of processing each service rather than a blanket uplift 3. Plan for the specifics that affect you, not just an average increase.
Quick reference table, key digital filing fees
Share the table below in finance channels and with client services teams. It summarises the headline changes in one view.
| Filing type | Current fee | Fee from 1 February 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Company incorporation, digital | £50 | £100 1 |
| Confirmation statement, digital | £34 | £50 1 |
| Voluntary strike off, digital | £33 | £13 3 |
Practical impact for directors and finance teams
Budgets: Build the new fees into cash flow forecasts, especially if you manage multiple entities. Packages: If you bundle government fees inside fixed monthly plans, update internal rate cards and client schedules. Engagement letters may need a refresh to reflect pass through costs. Timing: Where filing windows allow, consider whether January filings save a little versus February.
- New incorporations: Founders paying out of pocket should be told early about the higher entry cost 1.
- Annual compliance: The confirmation statement uplift seems small, yet it magnifies across groups and SPVs.
- Winding down: The cheaper strike off can be helpful for clearing dormant legacy vehicles efficiently 3.
Five practical steps to prepare before the change
Map upcoming filings
List all entities, due dates, and responsible owners. Flag anything expected in late January or February, then decide whether to accelerate or accept the new rates. A tidy schedule prevents rushed decisions.
Update fee schedules and proposals
Refresh internal price lists and any proposals that include government fees. Make sure proposals issued in Q4 include a clear note that fees change on 1 February 2026.
Communicate with clients and directors
Send a short advisory explaining the changes and what you will handle. Keep it simple, use examples, and focus on what it means in pounds and process.
Adjust workflows and reminders
Incorporate the new rates in your practice management system, proposal templates, and automated reminders. Small admin tweaks now save time later.
Document your policy
For transparency, note how government fee changes are passed through. This avoids queries when invoices land and reinforces trust.
Client message you can adapt
Feel free to copy and refine this wording for your stakeholders. Keep the tone practical and brief.
How Pennine Accounting can support your next steps
We work with sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies across Littleborough, Rochdale, Oldham, and West Yorkshire. Our team can review your filing calendar, update your budgets, and build tidy workflows inside Xero so these changes are captured automatically. If you manage multiple entities, ask us about centralised reminders and consolidated reporting to keep everything visible at a glance.
The key message
Companies House fees are increasing from 1 February 2026, with online incorporations doubling to £100, confirmation statements rising to £50, and voluntary strike off falling to £13. Build these into budgets, adjust client communications, and plan February filings with intent.
If you need a hand mapping dates or updating price lists, we are here to help.