Companies House software filing from 1 April 2028

The key change

Companies House guidance, updated on 9 June 2026, states that from 1 April 2028 all companies must file annual accounts using commercial software. The same guidance explains that software filing sends company information through the Companies House XML gateway.

For practices with many company clients, the change is not just about choosing a submission button. The operational challenge is making sure the correct company, accounts data, authentication, authority and filing record all line up before and after submission.

Why Companies House promotes software filing

Companies House lists benefits including faster and more secure delivery, immediate acknowledgement of receipt, automatic confirmation of acceptance or rejection and a lower risk of errors or late filing.

Those benefits depend on the software and the filing data being correctly configured. Professional review remains essential; commercial filing software does not decide what type of accounts a company is legally entitled or required to file.

What professional practices should prepare now

A sensible migration plan is to identify every client company, the accounts type normally filed, the source of the final accounts data, who holds authority to file, and how authentication and identity-verification information is controlled.

• check_circleMaintain an accurate company portfolio rather than relying on ad-hoc portal bookmarks.
• check_circleTrack accounts deadlines and first-accounts exceptions separately.
• check_circleDecide how final accounts or iXBRL data will enter the filing workflow.
• check_circleKeep company authentication codes and personal codes out of shared spreadsheets and public logs.
• check_circleRetain submission status and rejection information so failed filings are actively resolved.

Where AAA WebFiling fits

AAA WebFiling is being built around this software-led model: company portfolio data, deadline visibility, supported Companies House filing workflows, submission records and client/authority information in one web platform.

The platform is independent software and not part of Companies House. Eligibility, statutory fees and filing requirements remain governed by Companies House guidance and UK law.