2026 UK Corporate Compliance Calendar
- TBA
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Running a successful business is no small feat.
Beyond daily operations, it requires forward planning, an accurate grasp of policy changes, and the timely fulfilment of various statutory obligations.
To help business owners plan more effectively for 2026, we have compiled the 2026 UK Corporate Compliance Calendar which includes a list of key dates for the year. This covers tax filings, payment deadlines, employer obligations, and important policy trends to ensure your business remains organised and compliant throughout the year.
2026 UK Corporate Compliance Calendar
January: Tax filing and payment deadlines
For those registered for Self Assessment, such as the self-employed, sole traders, and landlords, 31 January is one of the most important tax milestones of the year. You must complete your online tax return and pay all tax due by midnight on this date.
For 31 January 2026, this includes:
Submitting your online Self Assessment tax return for the 2024/25 tax year. Failure to submit on time results in an automatic £100 penalty, which increases the longer the delay
Paying the tax due for the 2024/25 tax year. This includes income tax, National Insurance contributions (NICs), capital gains tax, and other relevant charges
Making the first 'payment on account' for the 2025/26 tax year. This is an advance payment towards your next tax bill, usually calculated based on your previous year’s liability.
February: Companies House fee adjustments
From 1 February 2026, Companies House will implement adjustments to its filing fees as follows:
Online company incorporation fee: increasing from £50 to £100
Annual filing fee: increasing from £34 to £50 for online submissions, and from £62 to £110 for postal submissions
Confirmation statement: online submission fees will rise from £34 to £50, while postal submissions will increase from £71 to £124
Voluntary strike-off: the fee for online applications will decrease to £13, and postal applications will decrease to £18
March: Spring Statement
The Spring Statement is expected to be delivered on 3 March 2026.
At this time, the Chancellor will provide an update on the economic situation and public finances, and announce measures that may affect businesses. Business owners should pay close attention to these updates.
April: Start of the new tax year and employer-related changes
April is one of the months with the highest concentration of policy changes in the UK, including the transition of the tax year:
5 April 2026 marks the end of the 2025/26 tax year. For businesses that report via Self Assessment or align their accounting year with the tax year, this is the final day of their accounting period
6 April 2026 marks the start of the 2026/27 tax year. Businesses must update employee payroll and salary records. By 19 April, the final Full Payment Submission (FPS) and Employer Payment Summary (EPS) up to 5 April must be submitted, and annual tax and National Insurance contributions must be settled
According to the 2025 Autumn Budget, from 1 April 2026, the UK national minimum wage will increase as follows:
Employees aged 21 and over: increasing to £12.71 per hour (from £12.21)
Employees aged 18 to 20: increasing to £10.85 per hour (from £10.00)
Employees under 18 and apprentices: increasing to £8.00 per hour (from £7.55)
Additionally, from April 2026, the Employment Rights Bill is expected to introduce new employee protection measures.
For employers, this means a simultaneous increase in compliance costs and management requirements, including:
Rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from day one of employment
Expanded statutory sick pay protections
Establishment of a new independent Fair Work Agency
Strengthened whistleblower protection mechanisms
May: Local elections and P60 deadline
UK local elections are expected to take place in May 2026.
Changes in local leadership can sometimes affect funding allocations, planning policies, or regional business priorities.
Furthermore, employers must issue P60 forms for the 2025/26 tax year to all eligible employees by 31 May 2026.
Directors of limited companies who receive a salary must also issue a P60 for themselves.
June: Update to Advisory Fuel Rates
From 1 June 2026, new Advisory Fuel Rates (AFR) will come into effect. Businesses should update their mileage reimbursement and expense policies accordingly.
July: Tax payments
31 July 2026 is the deadline for the second payment on account. The second instalment for the 2025/26 tax year must be paid by this date.
August and September: Bank holidays and business activities
The British Business Bank typically hosts Business Finance Week in September, featuring free online and offline events to help businesses understand the financing options available to them.
October: HMRC deadlines and the Autumn Budget
5 October each year is the deadline to register for Self Assessment for the previous tax year.
If you started a business during the 2025/26 tax year but have not yet registered, you must notify HMRC by this date.
Additionally, new partnerships formed or new partners added during the 2025/26 tax year must also complete their notifications to HMRC by this date.
Typically, the Autumn Budget is announced in late October (the specific date for 2026 is yet to be confirmed). Relevant adjustments may affect taxation, immigration visas, or employer costs.
November and December: Retail peak season and year-end preparation
As the year draws to a close, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas holidays bring the busiest online shopping season of the year to the UK.
For e-commerce businesses, this is the best period for a marketing sprint, whilst many businesses use this time to organise records, review their financial situation, and prepare documents required for the January Self Assessment.
The view from TB Accountants
2026 remains a year of challenges and new opportunities for UK businesses.
Mastering key tax milestones in advance and planning cash flow rationally can effectively avoid the risk of penalties and lay a solid foundation for the long-term steady development of your enterprise.
Prepare accounts and documents as early as possible – do not wait until January of the following year to organise your data. Completing preliminary calculations before the end of the year helps reduce errors and alleviate filing pressure.
Focus on cash flow and payment on account arrangements – payments on account are not an additional tax burden, but they significantly impact cash flow. Consider planning funds in stages to maintain operational flexibility.
Evaluate employment and salary structures – in light of the minimum wage increase and related employment policy changes, re-examine your staffing and cost structures. Seek a professional accountant for tax filings – if you have doubts about tax filing processes, form completion, or key deadlines, it is advisable to appoint a professional accountant early to handle your accounts and filings, allowing you to focus on your business growth with peace of mind.
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