From 8 April 2025, Companies House has launched a new identity verification system as part of changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
If you’re a director, person with significant control (PSC), or someone who files on behalf of a company, this applies to you.
What’s Changing
Everyone involved in setting up or running a UK company will soon need to verify their identity, either:
-Through their GOV.UK One Login, or
-Via a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - like us.
ACSPs have been able to register since 18 March 2025 with individuals being able to start verifying their identity via GOV.UK from 8 April 2025.
While verification is currently voluntary, it will become a legal requirement later in the year, likely autumn 2025. For existing companies, it will be built into the confirmation statement process.
How We Can Help
As your accountant and an approved ACSP, we can handle the identity verification for you. That means:
-No need to manage GOV.UK logins or extra admin.
-We’ll complete the checks and ensure they’re properly recorded.
-You’ll be compliant ahead of the deadline.
This is especially useful if your company has multiple directors or PSCs.
If we already look after your company filings, we’ll be building ID checks into our work over the next few months.
If you currently look after your own company filings and would like help, please get in touch. We would be happy to help you!
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-starts-to-verify-identities
Small businesses looking to expand premises could soon find it easier following new government commitments to make business rates fairer. An interim report from the Treasury says that the Chancellor will examine ways to tackle “cliff edges” in the system - sudden jumps in rates that can discourage investment.
From October 2025, businesses that fall under the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme will receive their first invoices, covering the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.