Confirmation Statement vs Annual Return: What's the Difference?
If you run a UK limited company, you may have come across the terms confirmation statement and annual return when researching Companies House filing requirements. Although they sound similar, they refer to two different names for a company filing used at different points in the UK company reporting system. The annual return was replaced by the confirmation statement on 30 June 2016. Today, most UK limited companies must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months to confirm that the relevant information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date.
The distinction matters because older guides, accounting documents and company records may still refer to annual returns. If you are setting up a new company, taking over an existing business or managing compliance for a company incorporated years ago, understanding the terminology helps you identify the correct filing and avoid following outdated instructions. This guide explains the difference between a confirmation statement and an annual return, why the law changed, what companies must file today, and how the requirements affect founders, directors and international business owners.
What Is a Confirmation Statement?
A confirmation statement is a filing that a UK company submits to Companies House to confirm or update certain information about the business. It is filed using form CS01 and is generally required at least once every 12 months, even if the company has not traded or its details have not changed.
The confirmation statement helps Companies House maintain an accurate public record of company information. Depending on the company's circumstances and the filing method, it covers information such as:
- Registered office address.
- Registered email address.
- Directors and relevant company officers.
- Shareholder information and share capital.
- People with significant control (PSCs).
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes describing the company's business activities.
Not every change is made through the confirmation statement itself. For example, changes to directors or the registered office generally need to be reported through the appropriate separate Companies House process. The purpose of the confirmation statement is to check and confirm the relevant company information, rather than replace all other statutory filings.
Why was the confirmation statement introduced?
The confirmation statement replaced the annual return as part of changes designed to simplify the process of keeping company information up to date. Rather than simply submitting a recurring snapshot of company information, companies were required to confirm that the information on the register was accurate and notify Companies House of relevant changes through the appropriate routes.
The name reflects this emphasis on confirming the company's information. However, the underlying responsibility remains important: directors must ensure that the company complies with its filing obligations and that the information it submits is accurate.
Confirmation statement vs annual return: key differences
Although the two filings served a similar purpose, there are important differences in how they work.
Feature | Annual return (AR01) | Confirmation statement (CS01) |
|---|---|---|
Status | Replaced on 30 June 2016 | Current filing |
Main purpose | Provided an annual snapshot of company information | Confirms that the relevant information on the register is accurate and up to date |
Filing frequency | Generally once a year | At least once every 12 months |
How changes are handled | Company information was included in the annual return | Certain information can be updated through the statement; other changes require separate filings |
Filing deadline | Generally within 28 days of the return date | Within 14 days after the review period ends |
Current filing fee | Historical fee; no longer used for new annual returns | £50 online or £110 on paper, subject to the applicable fee rules |
Form | AR01 | CS01 |
The replacement and the current filing requirements are confirmed in Companies House guidance.
1. The confirmation statement focuses on confirming accuracy
The annual return was designed to give Companies House an annual snapshot of the company's details. The confirmation statement places greater emphasis on confirming that the relevant information already held on the register is accurate.
This does not mean the company can ignore changes during the year. Directors must still notify Companies House of changes within the applicable deadlines, using the appropriate forms.
2. Some changes can be made through the confirmation statement
A company can use its confirmation statement to update certain information, including:
- SIC codes.
- Statement of capital.
- Trading status of shares.
- Shareholder information.
- Certain information relating to exemptions from providing PSC details.
Other changes, such as director appointments or terminations and registered office changes, generally need separate filings.
3. The filing deadline is shorter
Under the current rules, a confirmation statement must generally be delivered within 14 days after the end of the review period. This differs from the annual return's former 28-day filing window. For directors used to the old annual return system, relying on historic deadlines can lead to late filing. Always check the confirmation statement date and filing deadline on the company's current Companies House record.
Do you still need to file an annual return in 2026?
No. UK companies do not file the old annual return for current reporting periods. The confirmation statement replaced it on 30 June 2016. Companies House retains historical information and guidance relating to form AR01, but that does not mean a company should submit an annual return instead of its current confirmation statement.
If you are managing a company incorporated before June 2016, its filing history may contain annual returns. Those are historical filings and should remain part of the company's records. For a current filing, use the confirmation statement process and follow the deadline shown on the company's Companies House record.
Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?
No. This is another common source of confusion. A confirmation statement deals with specified company information held on the Companies House register. Annual accounts report the company's financial position and performance. They are separate statutory obligations with different requirements and deadlines.
For example, a company may have filed its annual accounts correctly but still be overdue with its confirmation statement. Equally, filing a confirmation statement does not mean the company's annual accounts have been submitted. Directors should track both obligations independently, alongside Corporation Tax returns and any other applicable reporting requirements.
How much does a confirmation statement cost?
As of October 2026, Companies House charges:
- £50 for an online confirmation statement.
- £110 for a paper CS01 filing.
These are the current standard fees, rather than the historical fee for the annual return. The confirmation statement fee is generally payable with the first statement in the company's 12-month payment period; additional statements within that same period do not necessarily incur another annual fee.
The payment period is separate from the review period, so filing early does not automatically mean that a new annual fee becomes due immediately. Before filing, check the current Companies House guidance and the payment information presented for your company.
What should company directors do now?
If you are responsible for a UK limited company, use this practical checklist to keep your filings on track.
- Check the company's filing history to see whether the latest record is an annual return or a confirmation statement.
- Find the next confirmation statement date and filing deadline.
- Review shareholder information, share capital and SIC codes.
- Confirm that changes to directors, the registered office and other separately reportable details have been notified correctly.
- Check that the registered email address is current and monitored.
- Ensure the applicable director identity verification requirements have been met.
- Keep confirmation statement and annual accounts deadlines in separate calendar reminders.
Companies House provides an online service for filing confirmation statements and checking filing dates. The simplified service has eligibility restrictions, so companies that need to change information may need to use WebFiling or another suitable filing method. For founders who operate their businesses from outside the UK, maintaining a central compliance calendar is particularly useful. A company may be managed remotely, but its statutory filing obligations remain.
A company management platform such as IncorpUK may help founders organise ongoing UK company administration. Whichever approach you use, make sure you understand which filing is due, what information must be checked and which changes need to be notified separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did the confirmation statement replace the annual return?
The confirmation statement replaced the annual return on 30 June 2016. Companies House now uses form CS01 for the current confirmation statement filing.
2. Do I need to file both an annual return and a confirmation statement?
No. You do not normally file both for the same current reporting period. The annual return is a historical filing, while the confirmation statement is the current requirement.
3. What is the difference between AR01 and CS01?
AR01 was the form used for the old annual return. CS01 is the form used for a confirmation statement. They relate to different reporting systems, and companies should use the current CS01 process for confirmation statement filings.
4. Is the confirmation statement due on the company's incorporation anniversary?
Not necessarily. The review period depends on the incorporation date for the first statement and the previous confirmation statement date for subsequent statements. The filing deadline is generally 14 days after the review period ends. Check the Companies House record for the exact date.
5. Do dormant companies need to file a confirmation statement?
Yes. Dormant and non-trading companies must file a confirmation statement at least once every 12 months, even if their details have not changed.
6. Can I change shareholder information through a confirmation statement?
Yes, certain shareholder information can be updated through the confirmation statement process. However, the underlying share transfer must be properly completed and the company's statutory records must be accurate. Some share-related changes require separate filings.
7. Is a confirmation statement the same as annual accounts?
No. A confirmation statement confirms specified company information held by Companies House. Annual accounts report the company's financial information. Both obligations must be managed separately.
8. What happens if I miss my confirmation statement deadline?
Companies House may impose a financial penalty and take steps to strike the company off the register if the statement is not filed. The published guidance states that the penalty can be up to £5,000. File an overdue statement as soon as possible and check whether other filings are outstanding.
Conclusion
The key difference between a confirmation statement and an annual return is that the annual return was the old filing, while the confirmation statement is the current requirement. The change took effect on 30 June 2016, and companies should now use the CS01 process for their current confirmation statement obligations.
The confirmation statement must generally be filed at least once every 12 months, with a 14-day filing window after the review period ends. It is also separate from annual accounts, and it does not replace the need to notify Companies House of other changes through the correct procedures.
For directors, founders and international business owners, the safest approach is to check the company's Companies House record, keep filing deadlines organised and ensure that company information remains accurate. Understanding the difference helps prevent outdated guidance from leading to missed deadlines or unnecessary compliance problems.