Community Interest Companies (CICs) will no longer be able to use the free online service provided by HMRC and Companies House to submit their annual accounts and Corporation Tax returns after 31 March 2026.
From 1 April 2026, all CICs, regardless of size or income, will need to use paid third-party software to file their returns. There are currently no free software options available.
In an update issued in May 2025, the Government confirmed:
“We have conducted extensive engagement with software providers and have thoroughly explored the market. Based on this insight, we now understand that free software options are not available as we had initially anticipated.”
To prepare, CICs can use the Government’s software finder tool to explore approved filing software.
You can find additional guidance here: Find out what you need to do to prepare for the closure of the online service to file your accounts and Company Tax Return.

