What is the Annual Return - Form AR01, and how do I file it?

Every year, all limited companies in the United Kingdom must file an Annual Return form (AR01) with Companies House.

The Annual Return summarises general information about your company, such as the directors and company secretary, if you have one, the registration office, share capital, and shareholdings.

The Annual Return, filed on Form AR01, supplies Companies House with information on every UK firm at a specific point in time each year. A company's annual filing date is normally the anniversary of its incorporation date.

The Annual Return has been superseded with the Confirmation Statement as of June 30, 2016.

Everything you need to know about this new form can be found in our dedicated guide, The New Confirmation Statement - What is it and how do I file it?

Annual Returns are required by law for company directors.

As a limited company director, you must file an Annual Return for your company. In fact, failing to deliver your Annual Return on time is a criminal offence.

You will incur fines if you do not submit your return or file it more than 28 days after your company's'made up date.' Companies House may even remove your firm off the registration.

Companies House will write to your registered address each year to remind you to submit your Annual Return. You can request a paper return or file online.

Online Annual Return Filing

The Companies House WebFiling method is by far the simplest way to submit your Annual Return. It is rather simple, so you can file it yourself, or your accountant may volunteer to do so on your behalf.

Companies House understandably wants to promote more efficient online filing. This is reflected in the filing fees, with an Annual Return submitted online using its WebFiling system costing only £13.

Another advantage of filing online is that you can receive 'e-Reminders,' which will remind you when your Annual Return is due.

Using Form AR01 to submit a paper Annual Return

Although Companies House encourages online submission, you can also file your Annual Return on paper using form AR01. If you choose to file on paper, you will be charged £40, which is much more than the online filing rate.

If you haven't already registered for WebFiling with Companies House, you must do so before you can utilise the service. To complete the registration, they will send a password to the registered office address, so allow time for this.

What information is contained on an Annual Return form?

An Annual Return form collects the following information:

• Name of the company Registration number
• Type of business (private, public, etc.)
• Registered office of the company
• Principal commercial activity
• Details about the Company Secretary (if you have one)
• Details about the company's director
• The 'fake date' (the date to which the return is made up)
• Information about the issued share capital
• Shareholder information
• Whether or not the company traded in the previous year

Share capital and ownership information

If your company has shareholders, you must include a capital statement with your Annual Return.

The number of shares in existence, the nominal value of the shares, the amount paid up or unpaid on each share, and the features of each class of share in issue are all disclosed in this statement.

In addition, in the first AR01 following incorporation and every third Return thereafter, you must submit a complete list of shareholders. You must, however, always supply any share transfer information from the prior year.