I’m a software developer building statutory accounts filing to the XML Gateway (micro-entity FRS 105 and small FRS 102 Section 1A), and I’d appreciate some guidance on the test account process.
On 16 July 2026 I emailed xml@companieshouse.gov.uk requesting a test account, following the “Important information for software developers — read first” guidance. I supplied all five presenter details listed there (presenter name, contact name, address, email address and telephone number), along with a description of the software.
It is now 17 working days with no acknowledgement or reply. The guidance indicates around 10 working days for account setup.
I also notice this isn’t isolated — this thread from May 2026 describes a developer who emailed for test presenter credentials and reported no response either. As I understand it from earlier threads here, presenter credentials obtained through the website can’t be used in test mode, so emailing is the only route to test credentials.
Could someone confirm:
Is the xml@companieshouse.gov.uk mailbox currently being monitored for test account requests?
Is there an alternative or preferred route for software developers to obtain test credentials?
Is there anything further you need from me to progress the request?
I’m happy to resend the full details or supply them privately on request. Thanks in advance.
I am in the same position, and rather further along the timeline.
I emailed the xml inbox on 21 June 2026 requesting a test presenter account, and followed up on 5 August 2026. Both messages supplied the five presenter details set out in the “Important information for software developers” guidance, along with a description of the software and its filing scope. I have had no acknowledgement or reply to either, and nothing has gone to spam. That is now around 40 working days since the first request.
Our scope is the same as yours: unaudited accounts under the small companies regime, micro-entity under FRS 105 and small company under FRS 102 Section 1A filed as filleted accounts. The iXBRL generation is finished and validates clean under Arelle against the FRC 2025 taxonomy suite, and the submission layer is built to the Technical Interface Specification using presenter authentication and asynchronous FormSubmission with GetSubmissionStatus polling. Test credentials are the only outstanding item.
I would echo the three questions above, particularly whether that mailbox is currently monitored and whether there is now a preferred route for software developers to obtain test credentials. If the process has changed, updating the developer guidance would save several of us a lot of guessing.
Happy to resend the full details to the inbox or supply them privately on request.