Companies House has temporarily paused the voluntary and compulsory strike-off processes for one month from 21 January until 21 February 2021.
It says that its strict adherence to the government’s COVID-secure guidance had reduced the number of office staff. This has led to delays in processing correspondence, documents and forms.
The one-month pause follows a similar pause last year and applies to the processing of both voluntary and compulsory company strike-offs.
It intends to review the position before the end of the one month period.
In March 2020, Companies House began a rolling extension of certain key statutory filing events, such as the filing of company accounts and late filing deadlines have been automatically extended until 5 April 2021.
- It will continue to publish first Gazette notices for voluntary strike-off applications to minimise the impact on those who have applied to close their company.
- It will not be publishing the second Gazette notice and striking companies off during this period.
- Pausing the processes will also provide companies with more time to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register.
- The pause will also protect creditors and other interested parties who might have had difficulties in receiving notices or registering an objection, or whose objections have not yet been processed.
Companies House would continue to remind customers about their filing responsibilities and highlights that its digital services are available as normal. and we encourage all customers to file online if you’re able to.
Useful guides on this topic
Small Company accounts: Companies House requirements
Filing obligations for small and micro-entities have changed following the withdrawal of the FRSSE and introduction of new reporting standards FRS101, FRS102 and FRS105.
Striking off a company: Step-by-step
Small companies may be struck off the register at Companies House without the requirement to involve a liquidator.
Companies: Filing & payment deadlines
If you run a UK business via a UK-registered company you will have the following ongoing filing & payment deadlines.
COVID-19: Companies House filing extensions
Companies House has announced that it will now automatically extend the deadlines for certain key statutory filing events, such as the filing of company accounts.
COVID-19: Government Support Tracker
What's new? We track government assistance as it is announced and list it for each type of business and taxpayer.
External links
You can find your filing deadlines on your company overview page on Companies House service.
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