Accounting period end date

An accounting period ends when the earliest of the following events takes place:

- 12 months has passed since the start of the accounting period.

- A company has drawn up its accounts (the end date of the accounts is also the end date as the accounting period), This could be for a period of less than 12 months.

- A company commences trading activity (having previously been dormant or only having income from non-trading sources).

- A company ceases all trading activities.

- A company begins or ceases to be within the charge to Corporation Tax in respect of all its trades.

- A company begins or ceases to be a UK resident.

- A company ceases to be within the Corporation Tax charge altogether (it has no sources of income).

- A company enters administration or ceases to be in administration.

- A company beings to be wound up or liquidated. A new accounting period will start on the date of winding up or liquidation order. From then on, a new accounting period will start on that same date every 12 months (regardless of the period covered by any accounts) until either the liquidation is complete or the company enters administration.