From 1 February 2026, Companies House will introduce new filing fees following changes brought in under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency framework. This is the first major fee update in several years and will affect most UK companies, including small businesses and startups in York and across the UK.
Two of the most common filings impacted are company incorporations and confirmation statements.
Until now, forming a company online has been relatively low cost at £50 for an online application, making incorporation an accessible option for new business owners. From February 2026, the incorporation fee will increase to £100, meaning new companies will face a higher upfront administrative cost when registering with Companies House.
Similarly, the annual confirmation statement fee, which every company must file to confirm its details, will also rise from £34 to £50 for online filings. This statement is a legal requirement, even for dormant companies, and the increased fee means ongoing compliance costs will be higher for all limited companies.
These changes are being introduced to fund enhanced verification, enforcement and transparency measures. Companies House will be carrying out more checks on company data, directors and people with significant control, with the aim of reducing misuse of the UK company register.
For small business owners, the key takeaway is to plan for slightly higher annual compliance costs and ensure filing deadlines are met to avoid late penalties on top of the new fees. Businesses considering incorporation may also wish to factor the new costs into their startup budgets.
As always, keeping company records up to date and filings accurate will help ensure smoother compliance under the new regime.
As always, feel free to contact MCO Accountancy if you need any advice.