What Are the Reporting Deadlines for Solicitor Firms

At Towerstone Accountants we provide specialist accountancy services for solicitors and law firms operating under SRA regulation. This article has been written to explain What are the reporting deadlines for solicitor firms in clear practical terms so you understand how the rules apply in day to day practice. Our aim is to help you stay compliant protect client money and make informed financial decisions.

One of the most common causes of stress for solicitors is not the work itself but the volume of reporting deadlines that sit quietly in the background. Many firms are compliant in substance but fall short on timing. Late filings missed notifications or overlooked returns can quickly escalate into regulatory issues even when the underlying finances are sound.

In my experience advising solicitor firms the problem is rarely lack of effort. It is complexity. Solicitors operate at the intersection of regulation tax employment law and professional standards. Each area has its own deadlines authority and consequences.

In this article I will walk through the key reporting deadlines solicitor firms need to be aware of. I will explain who the deadlines apply to what needs to be submitted when it is due and why it matters. This is written from a practical UK perspective and reflects how these obligations work in real firms rather than just in theory.

Why reporting deadlines matter more for solicitors

All businesses have reporting obligations but solicitors face additional scrutiny because they are trusted professionals handling client money and sensitive matters.

Missing a deadline can lead to:

• Regulatory attention even where there is no wrongdoing
• Fines penalties or interest
• Damage to professional reputation
• Increased likelihood of audits or inspections

Importantly regulators often view missed deadlines as a sign of weak systems rather than a one off mistake.

Good deadline management is therefore a key part of demonstrating competence and integrity.

Understanding who solicitors report to

Most solicitor firms report to several different bodies depending on their structure and activities.

Common reporting bodies include:

• Solicitors Regulation Authority
• HM Revenue and Customs
• Companies House
• Pension providers such as NEST or The People’s Pension
• Professional indemnity insurers

Each body has its own timetable and rules.

SRA reporting obligations and deadlines

The SRA is primarily concerned with conduct client money and financial stability. While the SRA has moved away from rigid annual reporting in some areas the obligation to notify and report remains significant.

Reporting serious issues promptly

Solicitors must report serious issues to the SRA as soon as reasonably practicable.

These include:

• Breaches of the Accounts Rules
• Evidence of dishonesty or fraud
• Serious financial difficulty
• Client money shortages

There is no fixed number of days. Delay itself can be treated as a breach.

Annual information updates

Solicitor firms must keep their details up to date via the SRA online account.

This includes:

• Firm structure
• Owners and managers
• Compliance officers
• Contact details

Updates should be made promptly when changes occur rather than waiting for year end.

Accountant’s reports

While routine annual accountant’s reports are no longer required in all cases the SRA can still request one at any time.

If required the deadline is usually specified in the request. Firms must be able to produce compliant records quickly.

Failure to meet a requested deadline can escalate matters significantly.

HMRC reporting deadlines

HMRC deadlines are often the most numerous and the most unforgiving. They vary depending on whether the firm is a sole trader partnership LLP or limited company.

Self Assessment deadlines for partners and sole practitioners

Most solicitors are taxed through Self Assessment.

Key deadlines include:

• 31 January following the tax year for online tax returns
• 31 January for balancing payments
• 31 July for second payments on account

Missing these deadlines results in automatic penalties even if no tax is due.

Partnership tax return deadlines

Partnerships and LLPs must submit partnership tax returns.

Deadlines are:

• 31 October following the tax year for paper returns
• 31 January for online returns

Each partner must then report their share on their own return.

Late partnership returns often cause knock on delays for partners.

Corporation Tax deadlines for incorporated firms

Solicitor firms operating as limited companies or LLPs with corporate members face Corporation Tax obligations.

Key deadlines include:

• Paying Corporation Tax 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period end
• Filing the CT600 return within 12 months of the period end

Payment deadlines are earlier than filing deadlines which often catches firms out.

VAT reporting deadlines

Many solicitor firms are VAT registered and must file VAT returns regularly.

Most firms file quarterly.

Deadlines are usually:

• One month and 7 days after the end of the VAT period for online returns and payment

Late VAT returns or payments attract surcharges interest and increased scrutiny.

Firms using Making Tax Digital must also ensure digital records are maintained and submissions are made through compliant software.

PAYE and payroll deadlines

If a firm employs staff it has PAYE obligations.

Key payroll deadlines include:

• Real Time Information submissions on or before each payday
• Monthly PAYE and NIC payments by the 22nd of the following month if paid electronically
• Quarterly payments for small employers where agreed

Late RTI submissions can trigger automatic penalties even if the amounts are correct.

P11D and benefits reporting

If the firm provides taxable benefits such as medical insurance company cars or loans it must report these.

Key deadlines are:

• P11D forms by 6 July following the tax year
• Class 1A NIC payment by 22 July if paid electronically

These deadlines are often overlooked particularly in smaller firms.

Pension auto enrolment deadlines

Employers must comply with workplace pension duties.

Key ongoing deadlines include:

• Assessing staff each pay period
• Submitting pension contributions by the 22nd of the following month
• Completing re enrolment every three years
• Filing re declaration of compliance within five months of the re enrolment date

Missing pension deadlines can lead to fines from The Pensions Regulator.

Companies House reporting deadlines

Incorporated solicitor firms must also report to Companies House.

Annual accounts filing

Deadlines depend on whether the company is new.

For most companies:

• Accounts must be filed within 9 months of the accounting period end

Late filing results in automatic penalties which increase the longer the delay continues.

Confirmation statement deadlines

All companies must file a confirmation statement.

The deadline is:

• Within 14 days of the review period end

The review period is usually the anniversary of incorporation or the previous confirmation statement.

Failure to file can result in the company being struck off.

Changes to company details

Certain changes must be reported promptly rather than annually.

These include:

• Changes to directors
• Changes to PSCs
• Registered office changes

Most changes must be reported within 14 days.

Professional indemnity insurance deadlines

Solicitor firms must maintain professional indemnity insurance in line with SRA requirements.

Key timing points include:

• Annual renewal by the policy expiry date
• Prompt notification of claims or circumstances

Late renewal or gaps in cover are taken very seriously by the SRA.

Anti money laundering reporting

Firms supervised for AML purposes must comply with ongoing obligations.

These include:

• Reporting suspicious activity promptly
• Keeping AML records up to date
• Responding to supervisory requests within specified deadlines

AML failures often attract regulatory attention even where no crime is proven.

Internal deadlines that support compliance

Not all deadlines are imposed externally. Internal deadlines matter just as much.

Examples include:

• Monthly client account reconciliations
• Regular review of residual balances
• Internal financial reporting to partners

Missing internal deadlines often leads to missed external ones.

Common mistakes solicitor firms make with deadlines

Across many firms I see the same issues repeatedly.

These include:

• Relying on memory rather than systems
• Assuming accountants handle everything automatically
• Confusing payment deadlines with filing deadlines
• Treating deadlines as flexible when they are not

Most of these are avoidable with better planning.

How accountants help manage reporting deadlines

Accountants play a central role in keeping solicitor firms on track.

This includes:

• Creating a clear compliance calendar
• Monitoring upcoming deadlines
• Preparing returns and filings
• Liaising with HMRC and other bodies
• Flagging risks early

This support allows solicitors to focus on legal work rather than compliance firefighting.

The importance of a single source of truth

Firms that manage deadlines well usually have:

• A central compliance calendar
• Clear responsibility for each obligation
• Regular reviews

Fragmented responsibility is one of the biggest causes of missed deadlines.

What to do if a deadline is missed

If a deadline is missed the worst response is silence.

The correct approach is to:

• Submit as soon as possible
• Pay any amounts due
• Assess whether disclosure is required
• Take steps to prevent recurrence

Early action often reduces penalties and regulatory impact.

My professional view

In my experience solicitor firms rarely struggle because the rules are unreasonable. They struggle because the number of overlapping deadlines grows quietly over time.

Firms that treat reporting as a core operational function rather than an afterthought are far less likely to face regulatory stress.

Deadlines are not just administrative tasks. They are signals of professional discipline.

Final thoughts

Solicitor firms face a wide range of reporting deadlines across regulation tax employment and corporate compliance.

Understanding what is required when it is due and who is responsible is essential for running a stable and compliant practice.

With clear systems professional support and regular review most deadlines can be met without drama. The firms that succeed are not those that remember everything but those that build structures so nothing important is forgotten.

You may also find our guidance on How can solicitors prepare for their year end accounts and How does Corporation Tax apply to solicitor firms useful when reviewing related SRA and accounting obligations. For a broader overview of solicitor accounting and compliance topics you can visit our solicitors accounts rules hub which brings all related guidance together.