In addition to filing their accounts, all limited companies have had to file an annual return with Companies House. This is being abolished and replaced by a “confirmation statement” confirming the registered office, directors, company secretary, shareholders, share capital, details of where records are kept and a new list of people with significant control (PSC).
Companies may make a confirmation statement at any time but must do so at least once every 12 months. The charge for online filing has yet to be announced.
In practice there will be little difference between the information which a company will have to provide under the confirmation statement and the information already provided in the annual return. The major change is the PSC report. In most cases this will be anyone holding more than 25% of the shares or the voting rights but consideration needs to be given to whether there is anyone else who has the right or actually exercises control over the decisions of the company.