For the past year, the "headline" concern for small company directors has been the looming requirement to file a full Profit and Loss (P&L) account at Companies House. Under the original roadmap, the option to file "filleted" or "abridged" accounts—which keep your turnover and profit figures private—was set to disappear.

However, in a significant turn of events in early 2026, Companies House updated its official guidance to confirm that these reforms are currently under review and have been paused.

At CoreAcc Accountants, we know this brings a sigh of relief to many business owners who were concerned about competitors or customers seeing their exact margins. Here is what you need to know about the current "holding pattern."

1. The 21-Month Promise

Companies House has explicitly stated that they will give businesses at least 21 months’ notice before any new mandatory P&L filing date is introduced.

Since the original April 2027 start date has been taken off the table and no new date has been set as of May 2026, it is highly likely that small and micro-entities will not have to change their public filing habits until 2028 at the earliest.  

2. Why the Delay?

The pause comes after significant pushback from the small business community and professional bodies. The government is currently reviewing two major concerns:

  • Administrative Burden: The cost and time required for millions of micro-businesses to move to full iXBRL software filing.
  • Commercial Sensitivity: The risk that making the turnover of every "one-man band" public could harm the competitive landscape of the UK economy.

3. What is NOT Paused: Identity Verification

It is important not to confuse the P&L pause with the rest of the ECCTA reforms. While your profit figures may stay private for now, your identity must not. The requirement for all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) to verify their identity is still moving forward at full speed. By November 2026, most existing directors will need to have completed this process as part of their annual Confirmation Statement.

4. The "Software-Only" Shift

Even though the P&L requirement is on hold, the move toward software-only filing is still the clear direction of travel. HMRC’s joint filing service (CATO) closed in March 2026, meaning you already need commercial software to file your tax returns. Companies House is expected to follow suit eventually, even if they allow you to keep "filleting" the P&L out of the public version for a few more years.

How CoreAcc Accountants Can Help

This "reprieve" is good news, but it creates a period of uncertainty. At CoreAcc Accountants, we help you navigate the transition so you are never caught off guard. We can assist you with:

  • Strategic Filing: We will continue to file "filleted" accounts for as long as the law allows, ensuring your sensitive financial data stays off the public record for as long as possible.
  • Compliance Monitoring: We are tracking the Companies House "Notice Period" daily. As soon as a new date for P&L filing is announced, we will have a plan in place for your business 21 months in advance.
  • ID Verification Support: As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we can handle the mandatory identity verification for you and your fellow directors right now.
  • Software Integration: We’ll ensure your accounting software is "future-proofed" so that when the rules eventually do change, it’s a simple press of a button rather than a major business upheaval.

Contact CoreAcc Accountants today to ensure your company remains compliant with the evolving Companies House rules while protecting your commercial privacy.

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