The government announced on 23 October 2026 that it will pause implementing a requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 for small companies and micro-entities to file profit and loss accounts with Companies House from April 2028. The pause, made after recommendations from the Small Business Regulatory Taskforce, is intended to give the government time to explore options for streamlining Companies House and HMRC filing processes under a "tell Government once" ambition.

In practice, companies will still be able to file abridged accounts, and smaller companies will retain the option to remove, or "fillet", their profit and loss information from accounts filed at Companies House after 1 April 2028. The government said it remains committed to its economic crime objectives alongside aims to reduce business burdens.

Other reforms are proceeding as planned. From April 2028, all UK-registered companies must file accounts in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) format using commercial software, whether filing directly or through agents or accountants. Companies House web and paper-based systems will close for accounts filings, though web services will remain for non-accounts filings such as confirmation statements and director detail updates. Further changes include a strengthened eligibility statement for audit exemption claims, a requirement to file component parts of accounts and reports together, and a limit on how often a company can shorten its accounting reference period.