Source: our analysis of the export from the government's payment practices reporting service, downloaded 19 Oct 2026. Median across 5,663 companies whose latest report covers a period ending in the last 8 months. Deadlines are estimated from each company's last reporting period.
The rules, checked 19 October 2026
What large companies have to report, and what's coming
A plain-English summary with links to the official sources. Information, not legal advice: check the guidance for your own company.
Report twice a year
Large companies and LLPs must publish a report on their payment practices, policies and performance for each reporting period: normally the first six months of the financial year, then the rest of it. A director must approve each report.
The Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/395), regs 3 to 5 and 7; LLPs: SI 2017/425. legislation.gov.uk · GOV.UK guidance30 days after each period ends
The filing period is 30 days beginning with the day after the last day of the reporting period. Reports are published on the government's payment practices reporting service.
SI 2017/395, reg 2 ("filing period") and reg 3. legislation.gov.ukValue bands and disputes
For reporting periods starting on or after 1 January 2025, reports also include the total value of payments by payment band and the share of payments not made within agreed terms because of a dispute. Companies using qualifying construction contracts report on retention practices for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2025.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/75). GOV.UK guidance, updated 2 Sep 2025Headlines in the directors' report
Large companies must include payment data headlines in their directors' report for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026, including standard payment terms, average time to pay and the share paid within 30, 31 to 60 and over 60 days. Auditors state whether the directors' report is consistent with the accounts. This does not apply to LLPs.
The Companies (Directors' Report) (Payment Reporting) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1152), made 30 Oct 2025, in force 1 Jan 2026. legislation.gov.uk · GOV.UK guidanceThe Commercial Payments Bill: a proposed 60-day cap
The bill would impose maximum payment terms of 60 days with strictly limited exemptions, mandate interest on late payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, give suppliers a right to a fixed sum where a dispute is raised late or without enough information, and ban withholding retentions in construction contracts. It started in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026; as of 19 October 2026 its Lords third reading is scheduled for 20 October 2026, after which it goes to the House of Commons. The government says it will consult further on timing.
GOV.UK: Commercial Payments Bill overview (19 May 2026) · Parliament: bill stagesFree demo
Try the calculator on your own invoices
Paste or choose a CSV with one row per paid invoice: invoice_date, due_date, paid_date, amount (dates as YYYY-MM-DD or DD/MM/YYYY). We work out the headline figures the regulations ask for. A simplified demo: it counts days from the invoice date and does not apply the regulations' rules on qualifying contracts, the relevant day or supply chain finance.
Your figures
Add some rows and press Calculate.
Also free: reporting periods and filing deadline calculator · guide to payment data in the directors' report (2026 rules) · Commercial Payments Bill tracker
What we're building
Everything between your ledger and the GOV.UK form
- ✓Upload an accounts payable export from Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, NetSuite or any CSV, and map the columns once
- ✓Every figure the form asks for: average time to pay, counts and values by 30/31–60/61+ days, paid late, paid late because of a dispute
- ✓Reporting periods worked out from your financial year, with reminders before each 30-day filing deadline
- ✓Directors' report headline table for financial years from 1 January 2026
- ✓Construction retention questions for companies with qualifying construction contracts
- ✓A working file for each period, so your auditors and approving director can see how each number was reached
- ✓Compare your figures with other companies' published reports
- ✓Groups: up to 10 companies on one plan, each with its own periods and deadlines
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FAQ
Questions people ask
Who has to report on payment practices?
Large companies and LLPs. The duty comes from the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/395) and the equivalent LLP regulations (SI 2017/425). Whether your company is large depends on size thresholds in the Companies Act 2006; GOV.UK has a checker and guidance. This page is information, not legal advice.
When is the deadline?
Within 30 days of the end of each reporting period. The regulations define the filing period as 30 days beginning with the day after the last day of the reporting period. There are normally two reporting periods a year: the first six months of the financial year and the rest of it.
What changed for financial years starting in 2026?
The Companies (Directors' Report) (Payment Reporting) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1152) came into force on 1 January 2026. For financial years beginning on or after that date, large companies must include payment data headlines in their directors' report. It does not apply to LLPs.
Is there a 60-day maximum payment term now?
Not yet. The Commercial Payments Bill would impose maximum payment terms of 60 days, with strictly limited exemptions, and mandatory interest on late payments. It started in the House of Lords on 19 May 2026 and, as of 19 October 2026, its Lords third reading is scheduled for 20 October 2026. It is not law until it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent, and the government has said it will consult on timing.
Does the calculator upload my data?
No. The demo calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your file is never sent to us or stored. Close the tab and it's gone.
Is this the official way to file?
No. Reports are published on the government's payment practices reporting service and must be approved by a director. Payment Practices Pro prepares the figures and reminds you of deadlines; you still file on GOV.UK.
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