Software filing packages allowlet you to send information to Companies House through our extensible markup language (XML) gateway.

Using software to file might be helpful if you file a lot of documents with Companies House. The more documents you file, the more benefit you are likely to get from using software.

It also costs less to file documents digitally using software.

You can file most information with Companies House using software. This includes types of company accounts and incorporations you cannot file through our web services.

How to file online using software

You’ll need to apply to file with Companies House using software. We’ll create your presenter account and give you a presenter ID and code.

If you need to file documents with a fee, you must apply for a Companies House credit account.

If you need to file charge (mortgage) documents for other companies, you must register as a lender.

You can:can either:

• findbuy softwarethird toparty file accountssoftware
• finddevelop softwareyour toown register or file changes to a companysoftware

You can also develop your own software.

Developing your own software

You’ll need expertise in XML. You can:

• read and download our technical specifications
• visit our XML schema page for all transaction types and submission processes

Filing annual accounts in iXBRL format

We can receive and process company accounts produced in inline extensible reporting language (iXBRL) format. More software package providers are making iXBRL format available.

Some of the benefits include:

• no more covering letters
• no postage costs
• faster, more secure delivery with immediate acknowledgement of receipt
• automatic confirmation of acceptance or rejection
• reduced risk of late filing penalties

Previewing your submission

If you’re developing iXBRL to file accounts online, you can test your submission using our validator.

You should use the ‘show image’ tool to check your iXBRL submission. This will preview exactly how your image will look on our system.

Validation for ‘average number of employees’ in accounts notes

The note ‘Average number of employees during the period’ is compulsory. We’ll reject your accounts if they do not include this information.

The validation will apply to:

• all company types (except dormant)
• financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2016

If we receive a public complaint about a company who has filed accounts before 13 October 2020 but did not include the note - we’ll write to the company and suggest they file amending accounts (under section 454 of the Companies Act 2006). A company could choose to file amending accounts voluntarily to prevent any complaints.

Small and micro entity company types must also include this note under the Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015.

Accounts taxonomies

You can usefile theinterim, 2025initial FRCand suitemedium ofaudited taxonomiesaccounts tousing file:

• communitythe interest2023 companyand (CIC2024 34)FRC reports
• auditsuite exemptof subsidiary package accounts
• dormant exempt subsidiary package accounts

taxonomies.

You can use our iXBRL filing service for accounts tagged using the following taxonomies.

20252024 taxonomy entry points (from 24 April 2025):2024):

• FRS 101
• FRS 102
• IFRS
• Charities 20252024 (charity (charity accounts only)
• DPL
• CIC 34 
• DSEP AA06 
• DSEP Agreement

20242023 taxonomy entry points (from 4(from 5 April 2024):2023):

• FRS 101
• FRS 102
• IFRS
• Charities 20242023 (charity accounts only)
• DPL

20232022 taxonomy entry points (from 51 April 2023):2022):

• FRS 101
• FRS 102
• IFRS
• Charities 2023 (charity accounts only)
• DPL

20222021 taxonomy entry points (from 1 AprilJanuary 2022):2021):

• FRS 101
• FRS 102
• IFRS
• Charities (charity accounts only)

Accounts taxonomies for listed companies

20252021 UKSEFSECR taxonomy entry points:points:

• SECR and FRS 102101
• SECR UKSEFand FRS 102
• SECR and IFRS
• SECR UKSEFand charities 2021

You can view all parts of the taxonomy at once using the FRC taxonomy overview entry point. This does not include the charities taxonomy.

Accounts taxonomies for listed companies

2024 UKSEF entry points:

• FRS 102 UKSEF
• IFRS UKSEF

2023 UKSEF entry points:

• FRS 102 UKSEF
• IFRS UKSEF

2022 UKSEF entry points:

• UKSEF 2022 full
• UKSEF 2022 core

2021 UKSEF entry point:

• UKSEF 2021