You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking for some straight forward Self Assessment software for tax returns.
I don't have a complex tax situation but need to self assess, so would rather avoid the expense of an accountant. Still like the idea of a tidy software package, to keep in simple.
There are dozens listed on the HMRC site, can anyone recommend any?
Last time I used the HMRC (few years back) and it was fairly simple
Taxcalc. About 40 quid, leads you through it and checks it prior to submission.
Mikewsmith .If you elect to submit online HMRC insists you use software to do so .
Well that is a step backwards for them....
I've used TaxCalc for a number of years and seemed easy to use. Of course it all depends how complicated your taxes are to start with....
Mikewsmith .If you elect to submit online HMRC insists you use software to do so .
Eh? You can submit online using HMRCs web portal and it is pretty easy to use. Why pay all the money for Taxcalc which simply asks you the same questions in a slightly nicer way? For simple tax affairs HMRCs site is well easy. I know I used to develop and sell tax software.
No need for special software. Just set up a spreadsheet. Give each item a code that relates to the sections on the self assessment form on the web portal. Then come tax time just add up each section and pop the totals in. If you keep the the spreadsheet up to date throughout the year the final form filling takes under an hour.
You can use Google docs then you can update the spreadsheet anytime anywhere. Handy if you are working away.
Another one for taxcalc. I’ve been using it since 1998 and each year import the previous year’s return, update and file with HMRC online (it remembers my login year on year) and then put it away again for another year. It lets you do 6 returns so I also do my wife’s and used to do my parents’ too while still working. So, I’m happy to pay £40 per year for convenience
How complicated is you self assessment?
A spreadsheet should be plenty for most
Mikewsmith .If you elect to submit online HMRC insists you use software to do so .
What utter rubbish. You can complete your self-assessment online, very easy to use.
The HMRC portal is excellent. You run through the steps / stages and it does the calc. You can do a few dry runs, change figures, add and remove stuff and then submit when you are ready. They have an app too now although thats pretty simplistic for paye calcs.
Before paying for any third party software I would give the HMRC site a go. You need to register and when I did it they have to post you various things to allow you to login. That may have changed.
I guess it depends if you're PAYE or not. Agree it's easy if PAYE, maybe not so if you're self employed.
HMRC only care about how much tax and/or NI you have paid, and for that only you will know. Paying for software won't help as that just replicates HMRC online. Get the relevant info yourself and save a few quid.
Self assessment is easy using HMRC's website.
its not been GDS'd yet, but is still ok to use even for semi complex affairs like mine.
agree on setting up a spreadsheet to keep the numbers in though.
Definitely worth trying Hmrc before bothering with other software.
It’s pretty easy to use even if you’re a ‘box of receipts’ kinda guy, once you’ve find it once you’ll know what info you need to stick in a spreadsheet then the next time it will take you longer to find your govt gateway password than to complete it.
Listen to David B above. He made tax software (which was good - i used it for a few years) and got out of the market when the HMRCs own got good enough.
some of the terminology on the HMRC site is not completely clear but there are lots of help pages and you can google anything you still dont understand. If you’re really stuck give them a call (just dont wait until January to do it)
Another vote for taxcalc although as above, unless you have a need for something not covered by the online app it's hard to justify. They're all just different interfaces onto the same backend service.
I've used the HMRC self assessment for about 10 years. I just use their own system, which, admittedly is a bit fussier this year than before but still works fine.
I've had PAYE, Self Employed, Partnership, Rental Income, Pensions, Investment Income and it's all covered just fine. And I don't have an accountant, it's all DIY. (Although I do know a bit about accountancy and tax).
I'd only use 3rd party software if I had a source of income that wasn't covered by it.
HMRC SA online once you can get past the stupid call back code. If you don't get a call it's because you have call blocking on but HMRC wont tell you that you have to work it out for yourself.