Last updated Aug 19, 2026 and written by Daniel Tuckey

Can I File Dormant Company Accounts if My Company Has Multiple Share Classes?

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Yes. Having more than one class of shares doesn't stop a company from being classed as dormant or from filing Dormant Company Accounts. The share structure and the trading status are two separate things.

Key Takeaways

  • Dormant status depends on whether your company has had significant accounting transactions, not on how many share classes it has.
  • Multiple share classes are common in companies set up for investment, family ownership structures, or different shareholder rights, and none of that affects dormant eligibility.
  • Your Dormant Company Accounts still need to reflect your actual share structure accurately, even while the company itself isn't trading.
  • We're able to file Dormant Company Accounts for companies with multiple share classes as standard, something our service didn't always support.

Does Having Multiple Share Classes Affect Dormant Status?

No. Whether a company is dormant depends entirely on whether it's had any significant accounting transactions during its accounting period, not on how its shares are structured. A company with several share classes, ordinary and preference shares, for example, can be just as genuinely dormant as one with a single class.

Why Would a Company Have Multiple Share Classes?

Multiple share classes are common for reasons unrelated to trading activity. Investors sometimes hold a different class of shares from founders, family-owned companies sometimes split shares between family members with different rights attached, and companies planning future funding rounds sometimes set up separate classes in advance.

None of these setups affect whether the company can be treated as dormant, provided it genuinely isn't trading.

Can You File My Dormant Company Accounts if I Have Multiple Share Classes?

Yes. We're able to file Dormant Company Accounts on your behalf even if your company has more than one class of shares, so you don't need to handle this filing yourself or worry about your share structure being a barrier.

This wasn't always the case. For a period, our Dormant Company Accounts service was only able to support companies with a single share class, and anything more complex had to be filed separately. That's no longer a limitation, and multiple share classes are handled as standard now. Our Dormant Company Accounts service covers this as part of the regular offering.

Where Can I Find Out More About Dormant Companies Generally?

Our guide to making a company dormant covers what dormant status actually means, how to notify HMRC, and what you still need to file every year regardless of your share structure.

FAQs

Can a company with multiple share classes be dormant? Yes. Dormant status depends on trading activity, not share structure. Having more than one class of shares doesn't affect eligibility.

Do Dormant Company Accounts need to show my share classes correctly? Yes, your accounts should accurately reflect your actual share structure, even while the company isn't trading.

Can you file my Dormant Company Accounts if my company has multiple share classes? Yes, we file these as standard. This wasn't always supported, but it's no longer a limitation.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Companies House requirements can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or speaking to a qualified accountant before filing.