What is a Confirmation Statement (formerly Annual Return)?

If you’re the director of a limited company, one of your important responsibilities is confirming your company information with Companies House once a year. This process was known as an Annual Return up until the 30th June 2016, when the form was replaced by a similar document called a Confirmation Statement.

Failure to file a Confirmation Statement is a criminal offence, which can result in directors being fined personally in criminal courts. Companies House can also strike the company off the register, which is expensive and time-consuming to restore.

When do you have to submit a Confirmation Statement?

It has to be done at least once a year and within 14 days of its due date. The due date is normally a year after your incorporation or the date you last completed a Confirmation Statement. You must submit a Confirmation Statement even if the company is dormant.

Annual Return vs Confirmation Statement, what’s the difference?

As mentioned above Confirmation Statement have replaced the previous  Annual Return. A Confirmation Statement contains the same information as the Annual Return did previously, but will now include information about ‘Persons of Significant Control’ for the Companies House PSC Register.

A Person of Significant Control (PSC) is an individual who:

• Holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights in the company.
• Holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors of the company.
• Has the right to exercise significant influence or control over a company or other entity such as a trust.

What do you have to include in a Confirmation Statement?

To complete the Confirmation Statement you’ll need the following information:

Company name

As registered with Companies House.

Company registration number (CRN)

You can find this on your certificate of incorporation and any official documentation received from Companies House.

Statement of capital

This document provides details of your company’s issued shares at a certain date.

Whether the company was a ‘traded company’ at any time during the return period

A ‘traded company’ is a company any of whose shares were trading on a relevant market. That is a market established under the rules of a UK recognised investment exchange, any other ‘regulated’ market in or outside of the UK, or any other market outside of the UK.

Details of the shareholders

The details of the shareholders including name, address, and number of shares held.

Persons of Significant Control and reasons for their inclusion

Persons of Significant Control are individuals who hold more than 25% of shares or voting rights in the company, hold the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors of the company, or have the right to exercise significant influence or control over a company or other entity such as a trust.

Standard industry classification (SIC code)

A five-digit code relating to the nature of your business – you can browse the list here.

Principal business activities of the company

More specific information on your day-to-day operations.

Company type

Whether your company is public or private.

Registered office address of the company

As registered with Companies House. This may not be your regular place of work.

Single Alternate Inspection Location (SAIL)

The address where the company keeps certain company records if not at the registered office. Details of the records are also required.

Details of the company secretary

Where applicable.

Looking for help with your Confirmation Statement?

Our Crunch limited company accounting packages take care of Confirmation Statements for you. If you choose our Pro package we’ll prepare it for you and you’ll just need to pay the Companies House fee for us to file it with them. The cost of submission is included in the Crunch Premium and Small Business packages.