The April 2026 Making Tax Digital deadline is approaching fast, and if you're managing 50+ clients, you're looking at 200+ quarterly submissions annually. Each client needs quarterly updates plus year-end declarations, that's 5 touchpoints per year, per client. Multiply that by your entire client base, and you're drowning in administration: following up on documents, chasing receipts, reconciling records, and manually processing submissions.
The hidden cost? Admin overload stealing billable hours from advisory work that actually grows your practice.
This guide reveals MTD software specifically designed to reduce that admin burden for accountants managing multiple clients.
Top 10 Free MTD Software Solutions for Accountants
RentalBux
RentalBux is HMRC-recognised MTD software covering UK Property, Foreign Property, and Self-Employment income for landlords, letting agents, and accountants managing digital tax submissions with full MTD compliance. It is best known for its advanced profit-sharing calculations for multiple landlords and complex ownership structures, combined with integrated property management tools in a single cloud-based dashboard. |
Key Details
Best for: Landlords with complex profit-sharing structures, letting agents, and property accountants
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for MTD across all three components: UK Property, Foreign Property, and Self-Employment
Mobile app availability: Mobile apps available for iOS and Android
Supported income types: UK property income, foreign property income, self-employment income
Special feature: Advanced profit-sharing calculations for multiple landlords and complex ownership structures with automatic allocation
Pricing: Free for everyone until March 2026, free for landlord with single property until March 2028
Pros
Full MTD income source coverage: Only platform with HMRC recognition across all three MTD modules - UK property, foreign property, and self-employment income
Automatic profit-sharing calculations: Handles complex joint ownership structures with any split ratio (60/40, 50/50, custom), automatically allocating income and expenses for individual MTD returns
Free until March 2026: All users get complete MTD compliance features at no cost until mandatory rollout, with single-property landlords free until March 2028
Integrated property management: Combines MTD quarterly submissions with comprehensive landlord tools including tenant portals, compliance reminders, and property-level profit tracking
Unified platform: landlords, sole traders, hybrid clients, no system switching
Accountant workflow automation: Bulk MTD information requests to all clients with one click, one-click approval workflows, centralized deadline tracking, flexible ledger mapping
Pre-built property-specific charts of accounts with UK tax compliance built in, Fully customisable for any industry, any client, any structure
RentalBux is a comprehensive MTDs solution for accountants handling complex property portfolios. It streamlines hybrid income management, joint ownership profit-splitting, and bulk MTD automation with AI-powered document extraction and seamless UK tax compliance. Ideal for practices seeking efficiency and precision.
QuickFile Accounting Software
QuickFile is UK-based cloud accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, freelancers, accountants, and tax agents with full HMRC recognition for MTD VAT and MTD Income Tax Self Assessment. It is best known for its genuinely free tier for accounts under 1,000 transactions annually and comprehensive MTD compliance tools including direct HMRC filing and automated bank feeds. |
Key Details
Best for: Small businesses and accountants managing budget-sensitive clients with moderate transaction volumes
Accreditation: Listed on HMRC's Software Choices page, HMRC-recognised for MTD VAT and MTD Income Tax Self Assessment
Mobile app availability: iOS and Android apps for receipt scanning and mobile access
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income
Special feature: Fully branded client portal that lets clients view and pay invoices with integrated payment processing
Pros
Genuinely free for small businesses: Completely free for accounts with under 1,000 nominal transactions per 12 months with full MTD compliance included
Unlimited user access: All plans include unlimited users with no additional charges, ideal for practices managing multiple team members on MTD projects
Comprehensive MTD support: Full MTD VAT and Income Tax compliance included in free version with direct HMRC submission capabilities
Mobile receipt scanning: iOS and Android apps with OCR technology for on-the-go expense capture and digital recordkeeping for MTD
Cons
Transaction limit on free tier: Free plan restricted to 1,000 nominal transactions per rolling 12-month period, requiring upgrade for higher-volume MTD clients
No foreign property income: Does not support MTD submissions for foreign property income, limiting use for landlords with overseas portfolios
Bank feed annual charge: Automated bank feeds cost additional £15 + VAT per year beyond free platform access
Limited advanced MTD features: Multi-currency accounting, project accounting, and advanced reporting require paid plans
3. FreeAgent
FreeAgent is HMRC-recognised cloud accounting software that supports MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment for sole traders, landlords, limited companies, and partnerships. It is best known for its comprehensive end-to-end MTD solution with direct HMRC filing, real-time tax calculations, and award-winning UK-based support designed for established accounting practices and diverse client bases. |
Key Details
Best for: Established accounting practices and bookkeepers serving diverse client bases with varying MTD requirements
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for MTD VAT and MTD for Income Tax
Mobile app availability: Available with full feature access for iOS and Android
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income
Special feature: Free Practice Dashboard for accountants to manage multiple client MTD submissions centrally
Pros
Direct HMRC MTD filing: Submit VAT returns and Self Assessment directly to HMRC with MTD-compatible returns in minutes
Real-time MTD tax calculations: Tax Timeline provides up-to-date view of tax obligations including what's due and when for accurate quarterly planning
Centralised Practice Dashboard: Manage multiple client MTD submissions from single dashboard with bulk task processing and detailed performance reporting
Free with select bank accounts: Access FreeAgent at no cost with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank, or Mettle business accounts
Cons
Optional add-ons cost extra: Features like unlimited receipt capture (£5/month) and Amazon integration (£6/month) require additional payment beyond base subscription
Limited landlord MTD features: Platform primarily designed for business accounting rather than specialized property portfolio management and multi-property tracking
Takes time to learn: Professional features require time investment to understand and use effectively for MTD compliance
Additional costs as you grow: Expanding MTD services like VAT, payroll, or advanced reporting may require upgrading to higher-priced plans
Sage Individual (Free)
Sage Individual (Free) is a free web-based accounting solution offered by Sage for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment designed specifically for non-VAT registered sole traders with basic needs. It is best known for its Treasury-backed free provision with enterprise-grade security and seamless HMRC integration for quarterly MTD submissions and year-end tax returns. |
Key Details
Best for: Non-VAT registered sole traders with basic MTD compliance needs
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised MTD-ready software with Treasury backing for free provision
Mobile app availability: Access through Sage’s established mobile platform infrastructure
Supported income types: Sole trader income (specifically designed for non-VAT registered businesses)
Special feature: Agent access for accountants and tax professionals to manage client MTD submissions
Pros
Treasury-backed free provision: Government arrangement ensures long-term availability at no cost with no hidden charges or billing requirements
Enterprise-grade security: Two-factor authentication, data encryption, and professional-level security features protect MTD records and submissions
HMRC direct integration: Seamless quarterly submission process with automated workflow capabilities for MTD updates and end-of-year returns
MTD compliance guarantee: Purpose-built for MTD requirements with ongoing compliance updates backed by 40+ years of HMRC expertise
Cons
Non-VAT registered businesses only: Exclusively designed for sole traders who are not VAT registered, cannot handle MTD VAT submissions
No property income support: Does not handle rental or property income streams for landlords requiring MTD compliance
Limited invoice creation: Free plan restricts users to creating and sending only 5 sales invoices per month
Manual receipt entry only: Requires manual entry and recording of receipts, lacks automated receipt scanning and bank feed integration
@Coconut
@Coconut is HMRC-recognised MTD software designed for sole traders, landlords, and CIS subcontractors to manage quarterly updates, digital recordkeeping, and tax submissions. It is best known for its mobile-first approach with AI-powered receipt processing and real-time tax estimates that simplify MTD compliance for self-employed individuals. |
Key Details
Best for: Sole traders, landlords, and CIS subcontractors requiring mobile-friendly MTD compliance
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for MTD for Income Tax
Mobile app availability: Available for iOS and Android with full MTD feature access
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income, foreign property income
Special feature: AI-powered receipt scanning and automatic transaction categorisation via mobile app
Pros
Real-time MTD tax estimates: Receive instant tax calculations after each quarterly update, eliminating year-end surprises and tax planning guesswork
Mobile-optimised MTD compliance: Submit quarterly updates and manage digital records entirely from smartphone with seamless desktop synchronisation
Accountant Portal integration: Share MTD records in real-time with accountants through dedicated portal, streamlining quarterly submission workflow
Bank feed automation for MTD: Securely connects with 30+ UK banks and credit cards for automatic transaction import and digital recordkeeping
Cons
MTD tax return features incomplete: CIS deductions, UK interest, dividends, capital gains, and pension contributions marked "in development" on HMRC listing
Limited MTD business entity support: Does not support VAT-registered businesses, partnerships, or limited companies requiring MTD compliance
Single accountant access limit: Free plan restricts collaboration to 1 user and 1 accountant, limiting multi-team MTD workflow management
14-day trial only: Limited trial period compared to competitors offering 30-day trials for MTD feature evaluation
Self Assessment Direct
Self Assessment Direct is a free online service designed to help individuals and agents submit Self Assessment Tax Returns in line with Making Tax Digital requirements through bridging software capabilities. It is best known for its flexibility in connecting existing records and workflows to MTD submission requirements, particularly for users who prefer spreadsheets over full accounting software. |
Key Details
Best for: Accounting practices transitioning existing self-assessment clients to MTD with minimal system changes
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for MTD Income Tax with bridging capabilities and cloud cashbook functionality
Mobile app availability: Web-based platform with mobile-responsive design accessible on Android and iOS browsers
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income, foreign property income
Special feature: Bridging software that connects existing spreadsheets or accounting systems to MTD through CSV file uploads
Pros
Flexible tax period support: Handles both standard (6 April - 5 April) and calendar (1 April - 31 March) update periods for MTD compliance
Spreadsheet-friendly bridging: Upload data from existing spreadsheets via CSV files without changing current accounting systems or workflows
Comprehensive income source support: Handles sole trader, UK property, and foreign property income with support for standard and calendar tax periods
Open Banking integration: Automatically loads bank statements into cloud cashbook for simplified digital recordkeeping and MTD compliance
Cons
Limited standalone functionality: Focuses on compliance bridging rather than comprehensive business management or advanced accounting features
Requires existing systems: Must be used alongside other record-keeping or accounting software, not a complete all-in-one solution
Basic reporting capabilities: Does not provide advanced financial reporting, business analytics, or sophisticated management tools
Professional-focused design: Interface and features primarily suited for tax professionals and agents rather than end-user simplicity
Clear Books Free
Clear Books Free is the free version of Clear Books providing essential MTD features like digital recordkeeping, tax filing, and professional-grade accounting at no cost for sole traders and landlords with basic needs. It is best known for its AI-powered automated features such as intelligent transaction categorisation and Auto Code bank reconciliation. |
Key Details
Best for: Small to medium-sized sole traders and landlords requiring full accounting features with MTD compliance
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for both MTD VAT and MTD for Income Tax compliance
Mobile app availability: Full mobile app with offline capability and cloud synchronisation
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income
Special feature: AI-powered Auto Code transaction categorisation that automatically codes hundreds of bank transactions in seconds
Pros
Completely free to use: No cost for core MTD features including quarterly updates and year-end tax filing, ideal for small businesses
Unlimited users included: All plans provide unlimited user access with customisable permissions for collaborative MTD management
AI-powered Auto Code: Advanced machine learning automatically categorises bank transactions in seconds, reducing manual bookkeeping for MTD records
Automated bank feeds: Secure open banking connections with 70+ UK banks for automatic transaction import and reconciliation
Cons
No MTD VAT submissions: VAT-registered businesses requiring MTD VAT filing must upgrade to paid Sole Trader + VAT plan (£15/month)
Limited multi-currency support: Multi-currency accounting only available on Large plan (£36/month), restricting international MTD businesses
No advanced reporting tools: Only basic reports included in free version; advanced financial reports and analytics require paid upgrade
No cash flow forecasting: Platform does not offer automated cash flow projection features for MTD tax planning
Zoho Books
Zoho Books is cloud-based accounting software that enables businesses to maintain digital records, automate tax calculations, and submit returns directly to HMRC via a single platform for both VAT and Income Tax submissions. It is best known for its seamless integration with 40+ Zoho business applications for comprehensive business management. |
Key Details
Best for: Accounting firms and small businesses seeking comprehensive features with ecosystem integration
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised for both MTD VAT and MTD for Income Tax compliance
Mobile app availability: Available for iOS and Android platforms
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income
Special feature: Integration with 40+ Zoho business applications including CRM, Expense, Inventory, and Commerce
Pros
Generous free plan limits: Up to 1,000 invoices per year with full MTD Income Tax compliance included at no cost
Comprehensive MTD coverage: Supports MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment with quarterly updates and year-end filing
Advanced business features: Includes mileage tracking, CIS contractor management, and over 50 financial reports for detailed MTD recordkeeping
Zoho ecosystem integration: Connects seamlessly with 40+ Zoho apps for end-to-end business management beyond basic MTD compliance
Cons
Limited user access on free plan: Only supports 1 user and 1 accountant, restricting team collaboration for MTD client management
No foreign property income: Does not support MTD submissions for foreign property income on HMRC listing
MTD Income Tax by request: Advanced MTD for Income Tax features currently require special request rather than standard access for all users
Calendar update period unavailable: Does not support calendar update period (1 April - 31 March) for MTD quarterly submissions
AbraTax
AbraTax is HMRC-recognised MTD bridging software designed for sole traders, landlords, and agents to submit quarterly Income Tax updates by digitally linking existing spreadsheets to HMRC submissions. It is best known for its simple Excel bridging template approach that allows users to continue their existing spreadsheet workflows while meeting MTD digital link requirements without changing record-keeping processes. |
Key Details
Best for: Sole traders and landlords who prefer spreadsheet-based record-keeping with minimal workflow changes
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised MTD bridging software for Income Tax Self Assessment and VAT
Mobile app availability: Not available (web browser-based platform only)
Supported income types: Sole trader income, UK property income, foreign property income
Special feature: Downloadable Excel bridging templates with built-in formulas for digital linking between spreadsheet records and MTD submissions
Pros
Completely free during beta: No cost for registration, quarterly submissions, or agent features while in pilot/beta phase
Excel-compatible bridging: Continue using existing spreadsheet workflows with downloadable templates that create compliant digital links for MTD
Live tax calculations: Built-in real-time tax liability estimates throughout the year help users prepare for final payments
Agent dashboard included: Free client management features for accountants including unlimited users, client grouping, and submission tracking
Cons
No digital record creation: Only provides bridging functionality; users must maintain separate spreadsheet records outside the platform
No calendar update period: Does not support calendar tax period (1 April - 31 March) for MTD quarterly reporting
Spreadsheet dependency: Requires manual Excel/Google Sheets management and formula creation; no automated bank feeds or transaction import
PaTMa Property Manager
PaTMa Property Manager is HMRC-recognised MTD software designed specifically for landlords to manage property tax compliance and digital recordkeeping for UK rental income. It is best known for combining MTD compliance with comprehensive property management tools including compliance checklists, tenant portals, and Open Banking aintegration in a landlord-focused platform. |
Key Details
Best for: Landlords managing single or multiple UK rental properties requiring MTD compliance
Accreditation: HMRC-recognised MTD software for UK property income reporting
Mobile app availability: Android mobile app
Supported income types: UK property income only
Special feature: Integrated compliance checklists and smart reminders for both MTD deadlines and property safety certificates
Pros
Free plan for single property: Complete MTD compliance included at no cost for landlords with one rental unit
Property-specific MTD features: Combines quarterly tax submissions with property management tools like HMO tracking and tenant portals
Smart deadline reminders: Automated alerts for MTD quarterly updates, annual submissions, and safety certificate renewals prevent penalties
Open Banking integration: Automatically syncs property transactions from bank accounts for accurate MTD digital recordkeeping
Cons
UK property income only: Does not support sole trader income, foreign property, or mixed income sources for MTD submissions
No agent software support: Not designed for agents managing multiple client MTD submissions
Property management focus: Platform primarily designed for landlord property operations rather than comprehensive accounting or business management
Final Comparison Table
Software | Best For | MTD Coverage | Pricing | Key Strength | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RentalBux | Property accountants with complex portfolios | UK Property, Foreign Property, Self-Employment | Free until Mar 2026; single-property free until Mar 2028 | Advanced profit-sharing calculations & bulk client automation | iOS & Android |
QuickFile | Budget-sensitive small businesses | VAT, Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK Property) | Free under 1,000 transactions/year | Unlimited users on free plan | iOS & Android |
FreeAgent | Established practices with diverse clients | VAT, Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK Property) | Free with select banks; paid plans available | Real-time tax calculations & Practice Dashboard | iOS & Android |
Sage Individual | Non-VAT sole traders | Income Tax (Sole Trader only) | Free (Treasury-backed) | Enterprise security with government backing | Via Sage platform |
Coconut | Mobile-first sole traders & landlords | Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK & Foreign Property) | Free for 2 years with select bank account (Zempler) | AI receipt scanning & mobile-optimized | iOS & Android |
Self Assessment Direct | Spreadsheet users transitioning to MTD | Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK & Foreign Property) | Free | Bridging software for existing systems | Mobile browser |
Clear Books Free | Small sole traders needing AI automation | VAT, Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK Property) | Free core plan | AI-powered Auto Code categorization | Yes, offline capable |
Zoho Books | Businesses wanting ecosystem integration | VAT, Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK Property) | Free up to 1,000 invoices/year | 40+ Zoho app integrations | iOS & Android |
AbraTax | Excel users seeking simplicity | VAT, Income Tax (Sole Trader, UK & Foreign Property) | Free during beta | Excel spreadsheet integration | Not Available |
PaTMa | Individual landlords | UK Property only | Free for 1 property | Property compliance checklists & tenant portals | Android only |
Conclusion
As Making Tax Digital expands in April 2026, accountants must focus on reducing admin, not just meeting compliance deadlines. While general accounting platforms suit simple businesses, they often fall short for complex landlord portfolios and high client volumes. The right MTD software should align with your client mix, ownership complexity, and internal workflows.
Property-focused solutions can significantly reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and protect profitability at scale. Practices that standardise early on suitable software will be better placed to manage growth, meet deadlines confidently, and shift time away from administration towards higher-value advisory services.
