Do CICs pay Corporation Tax and file a CT600?
Short version. Yes. A community interest company is a limited company, and a limited company must pay Corporation Tax on its profits and file a CT600 with HMRC. Being a CIC does not by itself change the tax calculation. A CIC is not a charity, so the charity tax reliefs do not apply just because the company works for the community.
On this page
Why a CIC pays Corporation Tax
GOV.UK says you must pay Corporation Tax on profits from doing business as a limited company. A CIC is a private company limited by shares or by guarantee that Companies House has also registered as a community interest company. The community interest marker sits on top of the ordinary company. It does not replace it. The CIC Regulator's guidance says the accounting requirements for a CIC are the same as those of ordinary limited companies, and the tax return follows the same rule.
Whether a particular receipt is taxable depends on the company's own activities, income and costs, not on its CIC status. A grant, a trading surplus or bank interest is treated the same way in a CIC as in any other company. If you think a receipt is not taxable, that is a question for your own judgement or an adviser. We file what you enter.
What a CIC files each year
- To HMRC: a CT600 with the tax computation and the accounts attached. SimpleCompanyTax files this for you.
- To Companies House: the accounts and the annual CIC34 report, together, through the Companies House CIC accounts service for a £15 fee. SimpleCompanyTax builds the package and you upload it. See how to file your CIC accounts and CIC34 report.
- A confirmation statement to Companies House, as every company does. That is outside SimpleCompanyTax.
Dormant CICs
A CIC with no income and no expenses in the period can be dormant for Corporation Tax and files a nil CT600 in the same way as any other dormant company. It still owes Companies House its accounts and a CIC34 report for the year. SimpleCompanyTax builds the package with the dormant accounts and your report.
Sources
This article is general guidance, not tax advice. The sources are Corporation Tax on GOV.UK and the CIC regulator's guidance. See also community interest companies: the CT600, the CIC34 report and Companies House.