Hello
Does anyone know if there is a penalty for late registering for corporation tax? The company was incorporated a year ago but it hasn't been registered for corporation tax yet. I know it should be done within 3 months of incorporation. Is there any way to put it right now and avoid penalty?
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Most of the time
HMRC register anyway, even if a CT41G hasn't been submitted and / or HMRC haven't been informed of commencement of trading / otherwise coming within the charge.
As long as the CT600(s) is / are submitted on time I've never known a late CT registration penalty to be levied.
3 months of starting activity
Did the company receive an introductory new company information letter with tax reference from HMRC? As Wanderer indicates, HMRC seem to assume a company is active unless we write advising otherwise.
No, the duty isn't to register for CT within 3 months of incorporation; it's within 3 months of starting its taxable activity.
When did the company start to trade/investment activity? HMRC say they MAY charge penalties for late registration. If the company is active, has been trading a year and not received notice to file a return, register now for corporation tax.
If the company is only a year old, you've plenty of time before tax or a return is due. On the penalty front, this is the simple guidance:
Just file the CT600(s) showing the correct trading commencement date. You should find that they just go through fine.