Guide
Making Tax Digital: what UK businesses must do
Who is in scope, which software qualifies and the deadlines HMRC expects you to hit.
Read guideCompare tax return services
Get your Self Assessment or company tax return prepared, checked and filed by a UK accountant — with every allowance you're entitled to claimed.
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How tax return services work
Self Assessment applies to sole traders, partners, landlords, company directors with untaxed income and anyone HMRC has issued a notice to file.
The online filing deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year, with the balancing payment and first payment on account due the same day.
A good return is not just compliant — it claims the reliefs and allowances that reduce the bill legitimately.
What affects the cost of tax return services
- Number and type of income sources
- Rental property or foreign income
- Capital gains during the year
- Whether your bookkeeping is already complete
- How close to the deadline you engage
Why compare tax return services with us
Every allowance claimed
Reliefs, expenses and allowances reviewed line by line.
Filed as your agent
Your accountant submits directly to HMRC and handles queries.
Fixed fee
Agree the price before work starts, not after.
Tax return services compared
Typical UK fixed fees for a straightforward return.
| Return type | Typical fee | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Self Assessment | £150 - £300 | 1 - 2 weeks | Employed with side income |
| Sole trader | £250 - £500 | 2 - 3 weeks | Self-employed traders |
| Landlord (1 - 3 properties) | £300 - £600 | 2 - 3 weeks | Property investors |
| Director + dividends | £250 - £450 | 2 weeks | Owner-managed companies |
| Company accounts + CT600 | £800 - £2,000 | 3 - 6 weeks | Limited companies |
Key Self Assessment dates
Missing these dates triggers automatic penalties and interest.
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| 5 October | Register for Self Assessment if newly self-employed |
| 31 October | Paper return deadline |
| 31 January | Online return, balancing payment, first payment on account |
| 31 July | Second payment on account |
Expert advice
Our finance team reviews UK providers, pricing tiers and service levels every quarter.
“January work is the most expensive work in accountancy. Get your records in by autumn and you will pay less for the same return.”
tax return services: pros and cons
Pros
- Reduces the risk of errors and enquiries
- Allowances you would likely miss get claimed
- Fixed fee agreed in advance
- Agent deals with HMRC on your behalf
Cons
- Fees rise sharply close to the January deadline
- You still need to supply complete records
- Complex affairs cost more than the headline price
How to choose tax return services
The cheapest headline price is rarely the cheapest total cost. Work through these points before you commit.
- 1
Engage early
September to November pricing is typically well below January rush rates.
- 2
Confirm what's included
Ask whether HMRC enquiry support is inside the fee or billed separately.
- 3
Check qualifications
Look for ACCA, ICAEW, ATT or CIOT membership and professional indemnity cover.
- 4
Bundle where sensible
Accounts, CT600 and directors' returns together usually beat buying them separately.
Compare tax return services
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare tax return services
Comparing takes a few minutes and there is no obligation to switch.
1. Tell us about your business
Turnover, structure, headcount and how many transactions you process each month.
2. See matched providers
We shortlist providers that genuinely support businesses of your size and sector.
3. Compare real costs
Monthly fees, per-user charges, onboarding costs and what is bundled versus billed extra.
4. Get set up
Your chosen provider handles onboarding, data migration and HMRC registrations where needed.
Things to watch out for
A £100 penalty applies the day after the deadline, even if no tax is due.
Payments on account can double the January bill in your first profitable year.
Cheap online-only services may not review your position, only type in your numbers.
Our tax return services service
We compare tax return services from established UK providers and independent practices, so you can weigh price against the level of support you actually get.
There is no fee to compare, and we will tell you plainly when your existing arrangement is already competitive.
Getting started
1
Gather your numbers
Latest accounts, current provider costs and your accounting year end.
2
Check the transfer
Confirm how records, payroll history and HMRC authorisations move across.
3
Set the go-live date
Most businesses switch at a quarter or year end to keep reporting clean.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of tax return services
Different setups suit different stages of growth.
Sole trader return
Self-employment pages plus expenses and capital allowances.
Landlord return
Property income, finance cost relief and allowable expenses.
Director return
Salary, dividends and benefits in kind reported correctly.
Company tax return (CT600)
Corporation tax computation filed alongside statutory accounts.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification. We are not affiliated with every provider listed and do not compare the whole market.
Crunch
Mazuma
TaxAssist
The Accountancy Partnership
1st Formations
Osome
Sage
XeroComparing with us is a no-brainer
“First year using an accountant and the fee paid for itself in allowances I didn't know existed.”
Owen, contractor, Cardiff
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Read guidetax return services FAQs
Do I need to file a Self Assessment?
You do if you are self-employed, a partner, have untaxed income, or HMRC has issued you a notice to file.
What if I miss the deadline?
An automatic £100 penalty applies, followed by daily penalties after three months plus interest on unpaid tax.
Can an accountant reduce my bill?
They can ensure all legitimate expenses, reliefs and allowances are claimed, which often lowers the amount due.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026