A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
Organising records and preparing tax submissions
Tax software can help you bring information together, calculate figures and prepare the submissions your circumstances require.
Record income and expenses, review tax estimates and prepare or submit supported returns. The selection below includes UK services and a US option, with the relevant country identified in each description. Check the business types, income sources, tax years and submissions covered before choosing a plan. For UK users, annual Self Assessment, VAT and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax may require different features.
UK visitors can also use HMRC’s Making Tax Digital software finder to check options against their requirements.
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FreeTaxUSA provides online preparation and filing for US personal income tax returns, including self-employment income reported on Schedule C. Its guided process covers business income and expenses, alongside other supported personal income and deductions. Federal preparation and electronic filing are free, including the self-employed forms. State returns are charged separately, with optional paid support and other services available. This makes it an option for US freelancers and sole proprietors preparing their own returns. It supports business income within a personal return; separate corporation and partnership tax returns are outside the service’s scope.
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GoSimpleTax guides UK users through preparing and submitting a Self Assessment tax return online. Enter the income and expenses relevant to your circumstances, review calculations and use the software’s checks to identify missing information before filing. Different plans cover individual returns, residency requirements and partnerships. A limited free account lets you start recording information, but filing and fuller features require payment. Annual subscriptions and higher-priced non-subscription options are available, so check the renewal arrangement when choosing. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is offered through a separate Coconut plan with ongoing record keeping and submissions.
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QuickBooks connects everyday bookkeeping with tax records and supported submissions for UK businesses. Import transactions from supported banks, organise income and expenses, and share records with your accountant. Its product range includes options for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and VAT, but the same features are not included in every plan. In particular, check VAT submission support when comparing the sole-trader and wider accounting products. QuickBooks uses paid subscriptions, with trial availability and introductory discounts depending on the offer selected. Choose the plan around your business structure and required submissions, alongside its bookkeeping features.
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TaxCalc provides desktop software for preparing UK tax returns on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its Individual product guides you through Self Assessment, calculates figures and checks the return before submission to HMRC. The standard individual package covers up to six personal returns for the purchased tax year, with separate products available for limited companies, partnerships and other requirements. You purchase the appropriate licence for each tax year you need, while retaining access to purchased years. VAT filing and Making Tax Digital quarterly filing are separate products, so check the combination required before buying.
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untied helps UK self-employed people and other individual taxpayers manage records and prepare supported tax submissions from a phone or browser. Enter or import financial information, organise income and expenses and review estimates of your tax position as records develop. Its plans offer different levels of bank connections, automation, mileage tracking and support for income types, with Making Tax Digital features available on suitable plans. You can also share access with an accountant or adviser. A 30-day free trial requires no card details, but filing requires a paid plan. Check the income sources and submissions covered before subscribing.
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