A QuickBooks Self Assessment alternative for UK Self Assessment

QuickBooks is accounting software with Self Assessment attached, priced monthly. TaxEase UK is Self Assessment first, priced once a year.

The short answer

QuickBooks Self Assessment: Full accounting suite with a sole trader tier. TaxEase UK guides you through your own return, in your own language, for £39 per tax year, or £49 with MTD.

If you start with TaxEase UK and your return turns out to be genuinely complex, the app tells you so and points you to a verified accountant through Find an Accountant. You are not stuck.

Side by side

Price£39 per tax year, £49 with MTD£120/year (£10/month, Sole Trader Plus); £12 for the first six months at 90% off
Languages10, fully translatedEnglish
Document scanningOCR built inVaries
Where your data is processedIn your browser, on your deviceOn their platform
Free versionYes, main stepsVaries

Comparison last verified 2026-09-21 from their own pricing page. QuickBooks Self Assessment pricing and features change; check their site before deciding.

What that price actually buys

QuickBooks is full bookkeeping software that happens to cover Self Assessment, not a tax return tool. The headline £1 a month is a 90% discount for six months; after that it is £10 a month, billed monthly and indefinitely. Over a year that is £120, and it keeps running whether or not you are filing.

For comparison, TaxEase UK is £39 per tax year for Self Assessment or £49 with Making Tax Digital, with no introductory rate that expires and no separate fee for a second income source. One licence covers one person’s return, on all of their own devices.

Where QuickBooks Self Assessment is the better choice

We are not going to pretend otherwise. QuickBooks Self Assessment is the better fit if:

  • You want to submit to HMRC from the same app today. Direct submission is something TaxEase UK does not offer yet.
  • You want everyday bookkeeping in one place. Bank feeds, invoices and year-round records, not only the yearly return.
  • Your accountant already works in QuickBooks Self Assessment. Staying in the tool they use keeps things simple for both of you.
  • Your affairs are genuinely complicated. Multiple properties, capital gains across several assets, or a partnership. A human should look at those, whatever software you use.

Where TaxEase UK is the better choice

  • English is not your first language. Every label, explanation and error message is translated into 10 languages, not just the interface but the guidance too. Few UK tools offer this.
  • Your return is straightforward. One self-employment, or a job plus a side income, or a single rental property. Most returns are.
  • You file every year. A yearly £39 against a per-return fee compounds quickly.
  • You do not want to hand over your data. Your calculations run in your browser, with no bank link. Your figures leave your device only if you choose to send them to your accountant or to HMRC.
  • You want to see the workings. The tax breakdown shows how the number was reached, and the optimizer shows where you could legally reduce it.

What you get for £39 per tax year

Everything in the free version, plus the full tax summary and optimizer, the filing checklist, a PDF report, unlimited OCR document scanning, the HMRC letter scanner, the audit risk checker, and annual rate updates each April. One licence key covers all your devices.

The free version is not a trial. The main steps stay unlocked permanently, covering SA100, SA102, SA103S, SA105 and SA106, in all 10 languages.

What about filing directly to HMRC?

TaxEase UK prepares your return and gives you a filing checklist. You then submit it through your own HMRC account on gov.uk.

Direct submission to HMRC via the Making Tax Digital API is in development, pending HMRC production access.

How TaxEase UK helps

TaxEase UK walks you through your Self Assessment step by step, in your own language, with every box explained in plain words.

Scan your statements and invoices with the built-in OCR and the figures fill in themselves. The deductibility checker tells you yes, no or partial for any expense you are unsure about.

Your tax data stays on your device unless you choose to send it to your accountant or to HMRC. No bank account link, no data sharing.

Try free, no credit card required →

Frequently asked questions

Is TaxEase UK cheaper than QuickBooks Self Assessment?

For a straightforward return filed every year, TaxEase UK is £39 per tax year, or £49 with MTD. They are different products, so compare what each includes before deciding.

Can I try it before paying?

Yes. The free version covers the main steps with no time limit and no card required.

What if my return turns out to be complicated?

The app flags complex situations and links you to Find an Accountant, a directory of verified accountants, many of whom speak your language.

Do I need to link my bank account?

No, and you cannot. TaxEase UK is built so your financial data never leaves your device.

Related guides

TaxEase UK is an independent software product. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HMRC or the UK Government. QuickBooks Self Assessment is a trademark of its owner and we are not affiliated with them. Figures shown apply to the 2025-26 tax year.