The government closed the free filing service. We built the replacement.
If you filed your company accounts and Corporation Tax return through the HMRC website, that service closed in March 2026. You now need commercial software. Accountable does the same thing: enter your numbers, generate your accounts, submit to HMRC and Companies House.
Done.
"Closure of the service to file your company accounts"
HMRC closed the free CATO filing service in March 2026. Thousands of small businesses and micro-entities who used it now need an alternative.
Built for people who filed it themselves.
You did not need an accountant before. You do not need one now. Accountable is not accounting software. It is a filing tool. No modules to learn, no chart of accounts to set up, no bookkeeping required. Enter your numbers, we do the calculations, you hit submit.
- File your CT600 and company accounts at the same time
- No jargon. No features you will never open.
- Takes about as long as the old service did
- Your data is protected. Always.
There is a second deadline coming.
In April 2028, Companies House is closing its own direct filing service too. After that, every company in the UK must file accounts through commercial software. Read the official guidance
If you are switching tools anyway, switch once. Accountable covers both filings from day one.
Get StartedConfused by the changes?
Get instant answers about the HMRC CATO service closure on 31 March 2026 and what it means for your business.
Quick Facts:
- •CATO closes permanently on 31 March 2026
- •Download your last 3 years of returns before the deadline
- •Commercial software required from 1 April 2026
- •No need to notify HMRC when you switch to software
No features you will never use.
Most filing software is built for accountants. This one is not. We kept only what a business owner actually needs to get filed and move on.
One submission, two destinations.
File your CT600 and company accounts at the same time. No copy-pasting between forms. No duplication.
Catches errors before HMRC does.
Rules are checked as you type. Rejection means delays. We stop that before you submit.
Micro-entity accounts included.
Built specifically for contractors, sole directors and holding companies. No full accounts required.
Your data stays yours.
Bank-grade encryption. We never sell your financial data. Your records are yours to download at any time.
Tax calculated automatically.
Enter your raw figures. We work out the Corporation Tax liability. No manual calculations.
Your record, always.
Every submission is saved and downloadable. Your accountant can see it. HMRC can ask for it. You will have it.
Latest from our tax library
Stay up to date with changes affecting your corporation tax returns and companies house accounts.
HMRC Closes Free Filing Service
Taxpayers can no longer subit their accounts and corporation tax return using HMRC's free online service.
How to File a CT600 Without an Accountant in 2026
HMRC's free filing service has closed. Here is what you need to know about filing your own Corporation Tax return using compatible software.
Companies House Is Ending Direct Filing in 2028
From April 2028, all companies will need commercial software to file accounts with Companies House. Here is what small businesses need to know.
HMRC's Free Filing Service Has Closed: Your Options Compared
The free government filing service is gone. Here is a plain-English comparison of your options so you can choose the right route for your company.
Do I Qualify as a Micro-Entity? A Simple Checklist
Many small companies qualify without realising it. Find out if your limited company meets the criteria and what it means for your filing obligations.
Your filing deadline does not move.
The government service is gone. HMRC's deadline is not. Start your first filing now and see exactly how Accountable works before you commit.
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