A busy week for UK accounting professionals. Companies House announced fee increases effective Saturday, HMRC prepared for deadline day chaos and the government finally proposed capping ground rents at £250 annually.
Here are the details.
Companies House Fees Rise on 1 February
Companies House is implementing its second fee increase in two years to fund expanded regulatory powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Key increases from 1 February 2026 include:
- Digital incorporation rises from £50 to £100 (100% increase)
- Paper incorporation increases from £71 to £124 (75% increase)
- Digital confirmation statement goes up from £34 to £50 (47% increase)
- Paper confirmation statement jumps from £34 to £110 (224% increase)
- ACSP registration rises from £55 to £63 (15% increase)
- Same-day name change increases from £83 to £85
- Standard document inspection rises from £3 to £4
This marks the second increase since May 2024, when digital incorporation jumped from £12 to £50 – the first change in nearly a decade. Companies House now operates as a more proactive regulator with powers to challenge and remove false information from its registers.
Review client incorporation schedules and update your fee structures before Saturday.
View Complete Fee Changes
Small Company P&L Filing Delayed Beyond 2027
The government has shelved mandatory accounts filing reforms after stakeholder concerns. The changes will not proceed in April 2027 as planned.
The reforms being delayed include mandatory digital-only accounts filing, small company P&L disclosure requirements, micro-entity balance sheet and P&L publication, and the abolition of abridged accounts. Businesses are guaranteed a minimum of 21 months’ notice before any future implementation.
Current filing options remain available, providing planning certainty for small and micro-entity clients through 2027 and beyond. The government statement references the wider growth agenda, suggesting the reforms may face extended delay or permanent shelving.
Monitor GOV.UK’s changes to UK company law page for updates.
HMRC Opens SA Helplines for Deadline Day
HMRC has reversed its closure decision following pressure, making self-assessment support available on Saturday, 31 January, despite the weekend deadline.
The public helpline operates 9 am to 4pm on 31 January, though the agent dedicated line remains closed over the weekend and reopens 8 am Monday, 2 February. Webchat is running at 10x normal Saturday capacity from 8 am to 4 pm for agents, while technical IT support is available via the HMRC Online Services Helpdesk for submission issues.
Over 9m returns have been filed, but approximately 2m taxpayers are leaving filing to the final days. The deadline is 23:59 Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Share helpline details with clients filing on Friday or Saturday. The agent line is unavailable over the weekend, so webchat is your alternative for deadline day HMRC contact.
Ground Rents Capped at £250 from 2028
The government has proposed a £250 annual ground rent cap for new leasehold properties from 2028. The consultation runs until 24 April 2026.
The reforms affect 3.8 million leasehold properties across England and Wales, where ground rent payments currently exceed £600 million annually. New leases will face a £250 annual cap, reducing to peppercorn rent after 40 years. New leasehold flats will be banned for new builds and conversions, though existing leaseholds remain unaffected, as the changes apply prospectively only.
Additional reforms include reducing the commonhold conversion threshold from 100% to 50% leaseholder consent and abolishing forfeiture so leaseholders cannot lose their homes over minor debts. Build-to-rent and social housing blocks are exempt from the proposals.
Property investment portfolios holding ground rent income streams will be affected by valuation changes. Clients with leasehold property interests should review their positions before the consultation closes on 24 April 2026. Property investors who hold ground rent income, particularly, need a portfolio reassessment.
Plan Ahead
Here’s your action list for the days ahead:
- Review client Companies House filing schedules and update your fee structures before Saturday’s increases take effect.
- Share SA helpline details with any last-minute filers still completing their returns.
- Flag the ground rent consultation to property clients with leasehold interests.
- And most importantly, ensure portfolio reviews are scheduled before the 24 April deadline.
This week’s updates are based on news published by various media outlets and official announcements from GOV.UK Changes to UK Company Law between 27 to 31 January 2026.
