Free HMRC company tax return filing ends on 31 March

All businesses will have to use commercial software to file company tax returns from 1 April as current system ‘outdated’ but warning to save three years of records

Companies House and HMRC are closing the joint online filing service on 31 March 2026 removing the free option completely. This will remove all records held in the online filing service so it is essential to make backups as a matter of urgency.

From 1 April 2026 companies will have to use software to file company tax returns with HMRC rather than the old free system, although they will be able to continue to file annual accounts at Companies House using third party software, WebFiling services or paper filing.

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