Corporation Tax Deadlines Calculator

Enter your accounting period to see the payment and filing dates, including the two returns needed for a period longer than 12 months.

Accounting period

Pay Corporation Tax by
1 January 2027
9 months and 1 day after the period ends
File the CT600 by
31 March 2027
Accounts to Companies House by
31 December 2026

Company Tax Return

Return period Days Pay by File by
1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 365 1 January 2027 31 March 2027
Guide only. Dates are for a private company whose taxable profits are £1.5 million or less; larger companies pay Corporation Tax in instalments. Companies House deadlines change if the accounting reference date is shortened. Missed one? See the late filing penalty calculator.
Guidance only. This calculator gives a general estimate and is not tax advice. Speak to your accountant before relying on these figures or making any decisions based on them.

Example. For the year from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, Corporation Tax is due by 1 January 2027, the Company Tax Return by 31 March 2027 and the accounts at Companies House by 31 December 2026.

When Corporation Tax is due

Corporation Tax is due nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period, so before the return itself is due. Companies with taxable profits above £1.5 million pay in instalments instead.

When the CT600 is due

The Company Tax Return is due 12 months after the end of the period the accounts cover.

Accounts longer than 12 months

A corporation tax accounting period cannot be longer than 12 months. If your accounts cover a longer period, such as a first period, you file two returns: one for the first 12 months and one for the rest. Each has its own payment date, but both returns are due 12 months after the end of the accounts.

When accounts are due at Companies House

A private company must file its accounts at Companies House within nine months of the end of its financial year. First accounts that cover more than 12 months are due 21 months after the date of incorporation, or three months after the end of the financial year if that is later. Both dates are earlier than the Company Tax Return deadline, so the accounts are normally finished first.

Frequently asked questions

When are company accounts due at Companies House?

Nine months after the end of the financial year for a private company. First accounts covering more than 12 months are due 21 months after incorporation, or three months after the end of the financial year if later.

When is Corporation Tax due?

Nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period. Companies with taxable profits above £1.5 million pay in instalments instead.

When must the CT600 be filed?

The Company Tax Return is due 12 months after the end of the period the accounts cover, so the tax is due before the return.

What if my accounts cover more than 12 months?

You file two Company Tax Returns: one for the first 12 months and one for the rest. Each has its own payment date, but both returns are due 12 months after the end of the accounts.

Related calculators

Sources: Pay your Corporation Tax bill, Company Tax Returns, Accounts and tax returns for private limited companies, Your limited company's first accounts and Company Tax Return on GOV.UK.

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Need to file the CT600?

This calculator is for guidance only. Tax Optimiser prepares the full corporation tax computation and files the CT600 and accounts with HMRC and Companies House.

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