If the FCA doesn't receive a complete RMAR by its due date, your firm must pay an administrative fee of £100 under SUP 16.3.14R. You still have to submit the return. Repeated or ongoing failures can lead to disciplinary action, and the FCA can treat missing returns as a sign that a firm isn't using its permission.
An estimate set on or before the deadline. Bank holidays can push the real date a few days later.
The late fee is now £100
Since 1 April 2026 the administrative fee for a late report is £100. It was £250 before, and many older guides still quote that figure. The change was made by the Reporting (Administrative Fees) Instrument 2026.
The fee applies when a complete report isn't received by its due date, so a return submitted with sections missing is treated the same as a late one.
The complaints return has its own fee
The complaints return is a separate report. Under DISP 1.10.6A, a late complaints return is charged the same administrative fee, so missing both means two fees. If you had no complaints, a nil complaints return is still due.
Until the end of 2026 the complaints return is due at the same time as the RMAR. From 2027 it covers fixed half-years, January to June and July to December, so for most firms it falls due in different months.
When a return counts as late
The FCA must receive the return by the due date, which is 30 business days after the end of the reporting period. If the due date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you have until the next business day under SUP 16.3.13.
Thirty business days is at least six calendar weeks, and longer when bank holidays fall inside the window. With a 31 March period end, the return is due in mid-May.
What to do if you've missed it
- Submit the RMAR in RegData as soon as you can. Missing the deadline doesn't remove the requirement to file.
- If the complaints return was due at the same time, submit it too, including a nil return if you had no complaints.
- Keep a short note of why it was late and what you've changed, in case your supervisor asks.
If it keeps happening
The fee isn't the only consequence. SUP 16.3.14A says that failing to submit reports may also lead to a financial penalty and other disciplinary sanctions.
The FCA has also said that when a firm doesn't submit returns or pay its fees, it may see that as a sign the firm isn't using its permission. It gives two warnings and can then cancel or change the permission 28 days after the first one (FCA, May 2022).
How to avoid missing it next time
- Work out both period ends from your accounting reference date and put both due dates in your calendar.
- Count business days, not calendar days, and allow for bank holidays.
- Start a few weeks early. The return pulls together your balance sheet, profit and loss, professional indemnity insurance, training and competence and fees data.
- Give one named person ownership of the return, with a backup for when they're away.
Get reminded before each deadline
Regmindr sets up your FCA calendar from your year end in about two minutes, and emails your team before each deadline is due.
Sources
- FCA Handbook: SUP 16.3 General provisions on reporting
- FCA Handbook: DISP 1.10
- FCA 2026/13: Reporting (Administrative Fees) Instrument 2026
- FCA: Consultation on reducing late fees for regulatory returns
- FCA: Speeding up removal of firms that do not use their permission
- FCA: Retail Mediation Activities Return
This page is a summary, not legal or regulatory advice. The rules in the sources above take precedence.