Best Tax Software UK (2026): 10 Tools for Self Assessment

This is a tools-by-job list, not tax advice. UK tax software splits three ways: apps that prepare and file a return, services that handle your tax payments and filing for you, and accounting packages that report to HMRC as part of your bookkeeping. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now shows up on almost every vendor's page.

The ten below are listed alphabetically, and every description comes from each vendor's own website, read as of Oct 2026. If you're choosing a bookkeeping package first, my guide to accounting software covers the wider options.

UK tax software at a glance

I checked the free plan column on each vendor's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version or an open source edition. Trial only means it names a time-limited free trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, so check the vendor's own site before you sign up.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
ANNA Money	Business account with tax filing	Banking, bookkeeping and tax returns together	Yes
Crunch	Online accountants plus software	Accounting tools backed by unlimited accountant advice	Not stated
FreeAgent	Small business accounting software	Invoicing, expenses and tax returns for freelancers	Trial only
GoSimpleTax	Self Assessment software	Filing your own return to HMRC	Trial only
Hnry	Tax payment and filing service	Handling tax as you earn and filing for you	Not stated
Sage Sole Trader	Sole trader accounting software	Self Assessment and MTD for sole traders	Not stated
TaxCalc	Tax and accounts software for practices	Accountants filing returns for clients	Not stated
Taxfiler	Cloud tax software for accountants	HMRC-recognised tax returns for practices	Trial only
Taxfix	Done-for-you Self Assessment	Having your return sorted for you	Not stated
Xero	Small business accounting software	Bookkeeping with MTD for Income Tax updates	Trial only

Ten tools for Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital

ANNA Money

Best for: Small companies and sole traders wanting a business account that does the bookkeeping, works out the tax and files Self Assessment, VAT and Corporation Tax.

Crunch

Best for: Freelancers and contractors who want accounting software backed by online accountants, covering Self Assessment filing, MTD for Income Tax, VAT returns and IR35 support.

FreeAgent

Best for: Freelancers and small business owners who want invoicing with automated reminders, receipt snapping and a tax return that's less stressful to file.

GoSimpleTax

Best for: Self-employed people, landlords, company directors and other individuals who file their own Self Assessment, using software that's recognised by HMRC.

Hnry

Best for: Sole traders who want all their income to move through one account so the service can handle tax payments and file Self Assessment and MTD submissions.

Sage Sole Trader

Best for: Sole traders who want straightforward software for Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital from a large accounting software vendor, with payroll on hand later.

TaxCalc

Best for: Accountancy practices preparing and filing personal, corporation and trust tax returns for clients, with MTD quarterly filing and VAT returns built in.

Taxfiler

Best for: Accountants and bookkeepers who want HMRC-recognised cloud tax return software with UK-based support, as part of the IRIS Elements suite.

Taxfix

Best for: Employees, landlords, first-time filers and high earners who'd rather have their Self Assessment sorted for them, including capital gains and dividends.

Xero

Best for: Small businesses that want HMRC-recognised, MTD-compliant accounting software and to send quarterly updates to HMRC from the same place as their books.

What's changed on UK tax software pages

• The done-for-you service on this list now trades under a new name, and its page title still says it was formerly TaxScouts.
• Taxfiler is listed as 'HMRC Recognised' under IRIS Elements, so it's now part of a bigger accountancy software family.
• Hnry sells 'Freelancer tax payments and filings', which is a different job from preparing a return: it handles the tax as money comes in.
• Xero's UK page leads with 'Get MTD for Income Tax ready', a sign of how central quarterly updates to HMRC have become.

Filing-first, pay-and-file or accounting with the return built in?

• Filing-first tools help you prepare and submit a Self Assessment return yourself, or have someone do it for you. They suit people whose income is simple and who don't keep books all year.
• Pay-and-file services sit on top of a business account. Your income runs through them, so they can handle tax as you earn and file returns with little effort from you.
• Accounting software with a tax return keeps invoices, expenses and bank feeds in one place and reports to HMRC from the same records, including Making Tax Digital updates.
• Practice software is built for accountants filing on behalf of clients. Two tools here are aimed at practices rather than individuals.

Questions to ask before you pick UK tax software

1. Is it recognised by HMRC for the returns you need to file?
2. Does it handle Making Tax Digital for Income Tax if that applies to you, or only the annual return?
3. Do you want to do it yourself, or have an accountant check or file it?
4. Will your income run through it, or does it only read your bank feed?
5. Can your accountant log in, if you have one?

If you also need to invoice clients, my comparison of invoicing software for freelancers and small businesses covers that job.

Do you make UK tax or accounting software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on choosing UK tax software

Pick by how much of the job you want to hand over. If you're happy doing your own return and your affairs are simple, a filing-first tool keeps things easy. If tax is the job you dread most, a pay-and-file service or a done-for-you return takes it off your plate. If you're already keeping books, choose accounting software that files from the same records, so you never type the same numbers twice. And check HMRC recognition before you commit, whichever route you take.

If you're torn between two of the big accounting names, my FreshBooks vs QuickBooks comparison walks through how two popular packages differ.

Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.

Frequently asked questions

Which tax software should I use for Self Assessment in the UK?

It depends on how much you want to do yourself. Filing-first tools suit people with simple affairs who file their own return, done-for-you services suit people who'd rather hand it over, and accounting software suits anyone keeping books all year.

Is there free tax software in the UK?

One business account on this list names a free plan and says you can file Self Assessment through it. Most others offer a free trial instead. The free plan column shows which, as of Oct 2026.

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

It's HMRC's move to digital records and regular updates sent through compatible software, rather than relying on a single annual return. Check HMRC's own guidance to see whether and when it applies to you.

Do accountants use different tax software?

Often, yes. Two tools on this list are built for accountancy practices, with features for filing personal, corporation and trust returns on behalf of clients.

Is this list tax advice?

No. It's a list of tools grouped by the job they do. For advice on your own tax position, speak to an accountant or check HMRC's guidance.