The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023.
The act gives Companies House the power to play a more significant role in tackling economic crime and supporting economic growth. Over time, the measures will lead to improved transparency and more accurate and trusted information on our registers.
There’ll be new responsibilities for:
- all new and existing company directors
- people with significant control of a company (PSCs)
- anyone who files on behalf of a company
When to the changes come into force
From March 2024
So what are these changes
Improving the quality of data on their registers
From March 2024, greater powers for Companies House to query information, stronger checks on company names, new rules for registered office addresses, and new lawful purpose statements.
Identity verification
Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity.
Changes to accounts
Transitioning towards filing accounts by software only, and changes to small company accounts filing options.
Confirmation statement changes
From March 2024, new requirements to provide a registered email address and to confirm that the intended future activities of the company will be lawful.
Changes to Companies House fees
Increasing fees to take new future expenditure into account, as well as making sure costs are recovered from existing expenditure.
Protecting your information
Individuals will be able to apply to suppress personal information from historical documents, and apply to have personal information protected from public view because of risk of harm.
Changes to limited partnerships
Limited partnerships will need to file their information through authorised agents, and they’ll need to file more information with Companies House.
Improving transparency of company ownership
New requirements to provide additional shareholder information, and restrictions on the use of corporate directors.
Investigation, enforcement and data sharing
More effective investigation and enforcement powers for Companies House, and new powers to share data with law enforcement agencies and other government departments.