Complaints
Complaints return deadline and reporting periods
Complaints return, old format
What is Complaints return?
Your report to the FCA on the complaints you received and how you dealt with them.
Who submits it, how often and when
- Who submits it
- Most firms covered by the FCA's complaints rules. Firms with only a limited permission are out. Firms with only credit-related permissions and revenue of £5m or less, claims management only firms and funeral plan only firms report once a year instead. Payment and e-money firms use their own return.
- Frequency
- Twice a year (every 6 months).
- Reporting period
- The 6 months before and the 6 months after your accounting reference date.
- Deadline
- 30 business days after the end of each period
Recent changes
- This format ends. Every firm's last period ends on 31 December 2026 and the final return is a partial one, due 12 February 2027. From 1 January 2027 the new COM001 return takes over.
Worked example for your accounting reference date
With an accounting reference date of 31 March: your next Complaints return periods end and are due as follows (worked out on 3 November 2026).
- Period ending 30 September 2026, due 11 November 2026
- Final partial period ending 31 December 2026, due 12 February 2027
With an accounting reference date of 31 December: your next Complaints return periods end and are due as follows (worked out on 3 November 2026).
- Period ending 31 December 2026, due 12 February 2027
Dates skip weekends and England and Wales bank holidays where the deadline is counted in business days. Your own RegData schedule is the authority.
Where the rule comes from
the six months immediately following a firm's accounting reference date
- Source: DISP 1.10.1R, 1.10.4R, 1.10.4BR, 1.10.5R (confidence: high)
Get your own Complaints return dates
Enter your FRN and ARD and see every return that is likely to apply to your firm, with period ends and due dates for the next 12 months.
Build my reporting calendarWant the wider picture? Read the full guide: FCA regulatory reporting deadlines 2026/27.
Complaints return: common questions
Who has to submit Complaints return?
Most firms covered by the FCA's complaints rules. Firms with only a limited permission are out. Firms with only credit-related permissions and revenue of £5m or less, claims management only firms and funeral plan only firms report once a year instead. Payment and e-money firms use their own return. Your firm's RegData schedule shows whether Complaints return is on your list.
How often is Complaints return submitted?
Complaints return is submitted Twice a year (every 6 months).. The 6 months before and the 6 months after your accounting reference date.
What is the Complaints return deadline?
The deadline is 30 business days after the end of each period. Business-day deadlines skip weekends and England and Wales bank holidays. Source: DISP 1.10.1R, 1.10.4R, 1.10.4BR, 1.10.5R. Confirm the date in your own RegData schedule.
Can I work out my Complaints return dates automatically?
Yes. Enter your FRN and accounting reference date in the FCA regulatory reporting calendar and it will list your period ends and due dates for the next 12 months, with a calendar file you can download.
This page is a planning aid, not regulatory advice. Your firm's RegData schedule is the authority on which returns you must submit and when.