RentalBux vs. Taxd
Which MTD Software Is Better for UK Landlords and Sole Traders?
Overall Winner: RentalBux
For the majority of UK landlords and sole traders preparing for Making Tax Digital, RentalBux is the stronger platform. It combines full MTD compliance across all three qualifying income types with comprehensive property management, automated bookkeeping, AI-powered expense categorisation, joint ownership profit-splitting, and a free plan for single-property landlords until March 2028 — capabilities that Taxd does not offer. Taxd is a well-built tax filing platform with genuine strengths in Self Assessment filing, human advisory support, and complex residency cases, but those advantages are relevant to a specific subset of landlords: expats, non-residents, LTD company directors, and individuals with unusually complex tax affairs. For the typical UK-resident landlord who needs a single platform to manage their properties, maintain compliant digital records, and submit MTD quarterly returns, RentalBux delivers more breadth, more automation, and better value — particularly at the free tier. Taxd is recommended as a complementary tool or specialist alternative where its tax filing depth is specifically needed.
At-a-Glance Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and Taxd across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | Digital Tax Filing Platform + MTD (bridging & tracking) |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Landlords, Sole Traders, Expats, Non-Residents, LTD Directors |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | 30-day free trial |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | No |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes | No |
| Invoice Creation | Yes | No |
| Receipt Capture (OCR) | Yes | No |
| Expense Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Joint Ownership & Profit Sharing | Yes | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
| HMO Unit-Level Tracking | Yes | No |
| HMRC SA105 Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | No |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | Web browser only |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is Taxd?
What Is RentalBux?
All-in-One MTD Software for Landlords and Sole Traders
RentalBux is an all-in-one property management, accounting, and Making Tax Digital compliance platform built specifically for UK landlords, letting agents, and self-employed individuals. Designed with direct input from accountants who specialise in property and sole trader tax, RentalBux covers everything from tenancy management and rent collection to full bookkeeping with a pre-configured chart of accounts tailored to the property sector.
RentalBux is fully HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax across all three qualifying income categories: UK property income, foreign property income, and self-employment. This makes it one of the only landlord-specific MTD software platforms that can handle a landlord who also runs a sole trader business, all from a single subscription.
A major differentiator is RentalBux's pricing model: single-property landlords can use the platform completely free until March 2028, making it one of the most affordable HMRC-approved MTD software options for landlords entering the MTD regime.
What Is Taxd?
Taxd (taxd.co.uk) is a UK digital tax filing platform operated by Tax'd Ltd (Company No. 13397852), supervised by the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and holding ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials security certifications. It positions itself as a "personal digital accountant" — combining HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA compliance with comprehensive Self Assessment filing (SA100–SA110), access to real human tax experts, and dedicated support for complex cases including non-resident landlords, expats, LTD company directors, and individuals with multiple income streams. Taxd is the official MTD software partner of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), integrating with NRLA Portfolio to provide seamless MTD compliance for NRLA members.
For MTD specifically, Taxd offers two pathways. The bridging (spreadsheet) option allows users to link their existing spreadsheets directly to HMRC for quarterly submissions without changing their record-keeping workflow. The smart tracking option connects to the user's bank account via Keptd (Taxd's tracking product) and automates transaction tracking, categorisation, and quarterly updates in the background. Both plans include end-of-year submission when taken on the higher pricing tier. For Self Assessment, Taxd covers all SA100 supplementary forms including rental income (SA105), overseas income (SA106), non-residence (SA109), and partnership returns (SA800) — making it one of the most comprehensive personal tax filing platforms available for individual landlords and sole traders.
Strengths
- Free MTD software for single-property landlords until March 2028
- Handles sole trader + UK property + foreign property income in one platform
- Joint ownership with automatic profit-sharing split by ownership percentage
- Pre-built chart of accounts tailored for landlords and sole traders
- AI-powered expense auto-categorisation and OCR receipt capture
- Agent filing on behalf of landlords — ideal for accountants and letting agents
- Supports HMO properties with auto-created units
Strengths
- Official NRLA MTD software partner
- HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA quarterly updates and final declarations
- Full Self Assessment filing — SA100 through SA110 including SA105, SA109
- Real human tax advisory support included in all plans
- Both bridging (spreadsheet) and smart tracking (bank) options
- Over 25,000 end-of-year submissions filed
- 5-star Trustpilot (798 reviews) — strong expat and landlord praise
- ATT supervised — professional oversight of tax advice
- ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certified
- LTD company accounts and CT600 filing also supported
- 30-day free trial for smart tracking (no card required)
Limitations
- Newer to market compared to established platforms
- No yield or LTV investment analysis tools
- No MTD for VAT support yet
- Some advanced reporting features still in development
- Limited third-party app integrations
- No offline capability
- No tax liability forecasting feature currently
Limitations
- No property management, tenant management, or rent tracking
- No joint ownership auto profit-splitting tool
- No invoice creation or branded invoicing
- No OCR receipt scanning (AI capture)
- No property portfolio dashboard
- No free plan for live MTD submissions (trial only)
- End-of-year SA100 submission charged separately (£99/year)
- No phone support (email and live chat only)
- Smart tracking requires Keptd connection; not a full accounting platform
- No MTD for VAT support confirmed
Making Tax Digital Compliance
How RentalBux Handles MTD Compliance
RentalBux supports all three MTD qualifying income categories: sole trader income, UK property income, and foreign property income. This makes it suitable for landlords who also earn self-employment income, eliminating the need for separate software. Most accounts are pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. RentalBux also supports agent filing, allowing accountants or letting agents to submit MTD returns on behalf of their landlord clients.
How Taxd Handles MTD Compliance
Taxd covers MTD ITSA through two distinct routes. The bridging plan lets users link existing spreadsheets to HMRC for quarterly updates — the simplest path for those who prefer to keep their current record-keeping workflow. The smart tracking plan connects to the user's bank account via Keptd, automatically categorising transactions and preparing quarterly updates with minimal manual input. Both routes cover sole trader, UK property, and foreign property income. End-of-year submissions (the final declaration replacing the Self Assessment return) are included in the higher-priced tiers (£10/m for bridging with year-end; £14/m for smart tracking with year-end) or available as a standalone service at £99 per submission. Critically, Taxd's MTD offering is backed by real human tax experts — something that sets it apart from most bridging tools and many full accounting platforms.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| HMRC Recognised (MTD ITSA) | Yes | Yes |
| MTD Quarterly Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Keeping | Yes | No |
| Digital Links Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Sole Trader Income | Yes | Yes |
| UK Property Income | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Property Income | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Income Streams | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Tie — depends on priorities. RentalBux leads on automatic record creation, property management integration, and agent filing. Taxd leads on Self Assessment filing depth, human tax advisory support, and the NRLA partnership. Both cover all three MTD income types.
Property Management
RentalBux: Property Management
RentalBux provides comprehensive property portfolio management with tenant management, rent tracking, property expense allocation, and support for multiple properties. A standout feature is its joint ownership and profit-sharing capability: landlords can define ownership percentages once, and RentalBux automatically splits rental income and expenses. RentalBux also supports HMO properties, automatically creating individual units.
Taxd: Tax Focus, Signposted Property Tracking via Partners
Taxd does not provide direct property portfolio management, tenant management, or rent tracking within its own platform. However, it addresses this gap through partnerships: NRLA Portfolio is specifically recommended for landlords managing larger portfolios, and Keptd (Taxd's own tracking product) handles day-to-day income and expense tracking for smaller landlords. The NRLA partnership means that NRLA Portfolio users can connect seamlessly to Taxd for their MTD compliance and year-end tax filing — combining portfolio management with tax expertise across two integrated platforms. For landlords who already use dedicated property management software, Taxd's focused tax approach may be a natural complement rather than a competitor.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Rent Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Property Expense Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Property Support | Yes | Yes |
| HMO Property Support | Yes (auto-creates units) | No |
| Joint Ownership/Profit Sharing | Yes (auto-split by %) | No |
| Maintenance Tracking | No | No |
| Tenant Screening | No | No |
| Compliance Document Alerts | Yes | No |
| Arrears Tracking | No | No |
Winner: RentalBux for all-in-one property management. Taxd's NRLA partnership and Keptd integration provide a credible alternative for landlords already using dedicated portfolio management software, but RentalBux is the stronger choice for those who want everything in one platform.
Bookkeeping, Accounting & Digital Record Keeping
RentalBux: Structured Accounting
RentalBux includes a pre-built chart of accounts specifically designed for landlords and sole traders, covering rental income, mortgage interest, insurance, property repairs, professional services, utilities, and tenant deposits. All accounts are pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. The platform supports cash basis accounting, bank reconciliation, and journal entries.
Taxd: Transaction Tracking via Keptd, Bridging via Spreadsheet
Taxd's bookkeeping capabilities depend on the plan chosen. The smart tracking plan uses Keptd to connect to the user's bank account, automatically categorising transactions and maintaining HMRC-compliant digital records in the background — essentially providing automated bookkeeping without the complexity of a full accounting platform. The bridging plan relies on the user's own spreadsheet as the digital record, with Taxd providing the submission link. Neither approach includes a formal chart of accounts, journal entries, double-entry bookkeeping, or the structured accounting outputs that a dedicated bookkeeping platform provides. However, Taxd's real human tax advisory support compensates in some respects — users can get expert guidance on expense categorisation, allowable deductions, and tax planning in ways that fully automated platforms cannot match.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | Yes (pre-built + custom) | No |
| Journal Entries | Yes | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes (Major UK banks) | Yes |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes | No |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Xero Integration | No | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | No |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | No |
Winner: RentalBux for structured bookkeeping. Taxd leads on human advisory support and smart bank tracking simplicity. RentalBux leads on formal accounting structure — chart of accounts, journals, and double-entry bookkeeping give it a more complete accounting backbone.
Invoicing, Expense Tracking
RentalBux: Expense Management
RentalBux includes OCR receipt capture, structured expense tracking with landlord-specific categories, auto-categorisation, invoice creation with customisable branding, and payment tracking with reminders.
Taxd: Expert-Guided Expense Management via Smart Tracking and Advisory
Taxd's expense management approach is less automated at the point of capture but stronger in advisory guidance. The smart tracking plan connects to the user's bank account via Keptd, automatically categorising transactions in the background. More significantly, Taxd's human tax experts are available to guide users on what constitutes an allowable expense, how to categorise complex items, and how to maximise deductions — a capability that automated categorisation alone cannot replicate. Taxd does not offer OCR receipt scanning, branded invoice creation, or automated reminders. Its platform is oriented around tax filing accuracy and expert input rather than front-end automation.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | No |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | Yes | No |
| Online Payment Collection | Yes | No |
| Payment Tracking/Reminders | Yes | No |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Receipt Capture (OCR/Photo) | Yes | No |
| Expense Categorisation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Transaction Matching | Yes | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
Winner: Tie — different strengths. RentalBux leads on automation tools (OCR, invoicing, reminders). Taxd leads on human advisory support for expense maximisation. The right choice depends on whether you value automation or expert guidance more.
Reporting & Tax Forecasting
RentalBux: Formal Accounting Reports
RentalBux produces structured financial reports including profit & loss statements, balance sheets, journal reports, ledger reports, and trial balances. Smart categorisation helps ensure accuracy.
Taxd: Tax-Focused Insights and Expert Advisory Reporting
Taxd does not produce formal standalone accounting reports in the traditional sense. Its reporting capabilities are oriented around tax filing accuracy — the platform guides users through their income and expenses to produce accurate HMRC submissions, with human experts available to review figures, identify allowable deductions, and advise on tax-efficient structuring. The cumulative MTD update system means errors from one quarter can be corrected in the next, and at year-end, the expert team reviews the complete picture before the final declaration is filed. This is a different kind of "reporting" — less about balance sheets and more about ensuring the right tax outcome with professional oversight.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | Yes (formal) | No |
| Balance Sheet | Yes | No |
| Trial Balance | Yes | No |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes | Yes |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No | No |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | Yes | Yes |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | No |
Winner: Tie — different reporting philosophies. RentalBux leads on formal accounting reports (P&L, balance sheet, trial balance). Taxd leads on professional tax advisory insights and human review of financial figures before submission.
Collaboration & Mobile Apps
RentalBux's Collaborative Features
RentalBux enables agent filing, which gives accountants and letting agents the ability to submit directly on a landlord's behalf.
Taxd: Human Experts Built Into the Platform, NRLA Partnership for Portfolio Users
Taxd takes a different approach to collaboration — rather than enabling a landlord's external accountant to access the platform, it embeds human tax expertise directly into the product. Every plan includes access to real tax professionals who review figures, answer queries, and support accurate filing. For landlords who use an existing accountant, Taxd can work alongside that relationship — handling the digital MTD mechanics while the accountant focuses on strategic tax advice. The NRLA partnership means NRLA Portfolio users can connect their property management records directly to Taxd for a streamlined end-to-end experience. The platform is web-based; there are no dedicated mobile apps for the MTD filing interface, though Keptd's tracking functionality is mobile-accessible.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | No |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android | Web browser only |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | No |
Winner: Tie — different collaboration models. RentalBux wins on dedicated multi-user portal access and native mobile apps. Taxd wins on embedded human tax expertise and the NRLA portfolio integration pathway. Both support accountant collaboration, through different mechanisms.
Ease of Use, Support & Security
RentalBux: Guided Workflows
RentalBux uses guided workflows, clear dashboards, and no accounting jargon. The platform offers phone support, email/chat support, and a help centre with guides and knowledge base articles.
Taxd: Intuitive Design with Embedded Human Support and Strong Security Credentials
Taxd consistently receives five-star Trustpilot reviews (798 reviews) praising the simplicity of its interface, the responsiveness of its support team, and the quality of its guidance for complex tax situations. Users frequently note that Taxd made complex residency, multi-income, and non-resident filing straightforward when HMRC's own systems could not accommodate their situation. Support is provided via live chat and email — not phone — but the inclusion of real human tax experts on every plan means the quality of support goes significantly beyond typical software chat. Taxd holds ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials security certifications and is supervised by the ATT, providing a level of professional oversight and data security accountability that most tax software platforms do not offer.
| Feature | RentalBux | Taxd |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| Enterprise-Grade Security | Yes | No |
RentalBux Features
Sole Trader Income Support for MTD
RentalBux is one of the few landlord-focused MTD software platforms that supports self-employment income alongside UK and foreign property income within a single account. Landlords who also run a trade, consultancy, or freelance business can manage all quarterly submissions from one dashboard. Landlord Studio covers property income only.
Custom Chart of Accounts for Landlords
A property-tailored chart of accounts covering rental income, mortgage interest, insurance, repairs, utilities, letting agent fees, and more — all pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. No setup required; the system is ready to use from day one. Landlord Studio has no equivalent.
Agent Filing on Behalf of Landlords
Letting agents and accountants can submit MTD quarterly updates and the Final Declaration on behalf of landlord clients directly from the platform. Landlord Studio allows accountant access but does not support submission on the landlord's behalf.
Branded Invoice Creation
Invoice creation with customisable branding for service charges and commercial landlords. Not available in Landlord Studio.
AI-Powered OCR Receipt Capture with Auto-Categorisation (Coming soon)
RentalBux's AI will read uploaded receipts and categorise the expense automatically against the pre-built chart of accounts. Landlord Studio's Smart Scan extracts dates and amounts but does not include AI-driven expense categorisation.
Formal Accounting Reports
Balance sheet, trial balance, ledger reports, and journal reports. Landlord Studio does not produce these natively.
Free Plan Including MTD Submissions Until March 2028
RentalBux's free single-property plan includes MTD quarterly submissions. Landlord Studio's free GO plan covers property management for up to three units but requires a paid PRO plan (from £12/month) to access MTD submission functionality.
Unique Features Only Taxd Offers
Full Self Assessment filing (SA100–SA110)
Taxd files complete annual Self Assessment returns including SA105 (rental income), SA106 (foreign income), SA109 (non-residence), SA800 (partnerships), and all other supplementary forms.
Real human tax advisory support on every plan
Every Taxd subscription includes access to real tax professionals — not just software guidance — who can review figures, answer complex questions, and ensure tax-efficient filing.
Official NRLA MTD partner
Taxd is the designated MTD software partner of the National Residential Landlords Association, with a seamless integration to NRLA Portfolio. NRLA members receive discounted access.
ATT supervision — professional regulatory oversight
Taxd is supervised by the Association of Taxation Technicians, providing a level of professional accountability that most software platforms do not offer.
Expat, non-resident, and complex residency tax support.
Taxd handles SA109 non-residency, split-year treatment, dual taxation, overseas income, and all other residency-related filing complexity. This is its strongest and most differentiated capability.
LTD company accounts and CT600 Corporation Tax filing
Taxd covers company accounts and corporation tax returns alongside personal Self Assessment and MTD — making it a complete tax solution for landlords who operate through a limited company as well as in their own name.
Choice of MTD approach — bridging or smart tracking
Users can choose the spreadsheet-based bridging plan (£6–£10/m) or the bank-connected smart tracking plan (£10–£14/m) based on their preferred workflow. Most platforms offer only one approach.
Over 25,000 end-of-year submissions filed
Taxd's track record in year-end tax filing is considerably more established than most newer MTD platforms, providing confidence in the accuracy and reliability of its filing processes.
Who Should Choose RentalBux?
RentalBux is a strong fit if you:
Landlords with Mixed Income Streams
If you earn from both property and self-employment, RentalBux handles sole trader income alongside UK and foreign property income in a single MTD-compliant platform.
Joint Owners and Family Portfolios
The automated profit-sharing split is a standout feature. Define ownership percentages once and RentalBux calculates each owner's share automatically.
Budget-Conscious Landlords Entering MTD
Free MTD software for single-property landlords until March 2028, with no upfront commitment.
Landlords Who Want Proper Accounting Structure
Chart of accounts, journal entries, profit & loss, balance sheet, and trial balance give RentalBux a structured accounting foundation.
Accountants and Letting Agents
Agent filing on behalf, multi-user access, and spreadsheet import make RentalBux practical for professionals managing multiple landlord portfolios.
Commercial Landlords and HMO Owners
Invoice creation with branding for service charges, plus automatic HMO unit creation and tenant management.
Who Should Choose Taxd?
Taxd is the better choice for:
Landlords who need both MTD and annual Self Assessment from one provider
Taxd files complete SA100 returns (SA100–SA110) alongside MTD quarterly updates — a combination that most MTD platforms.
Non-resident landlords and expats with UK property income
Taxd's SA109 non-residency support, split-year treatment handling, and dual taxation guidance make it the strongest choice in this comparison for landlords living abroad. This is Taxd's most differentiated use case.
Landlords who want human tax advisory support built in
Every Taxd plan includes access to real tax professionals — not just software guidance. For landlords uncertain about allowable expenses, complex deductions, or tax-efficient structuring, this is a material advantage over fully automated platforms.
NRLA members using NRLA Portfolio
The official NRLA partnership provides seamless integration between NRLA Portfolio property management and Taxd's MTD compliance and tax filing — a natural choice for landlords already within the NRLA ecosystem.
LTD company directors with rental income
Taxd handles company accounts, CT600 corporation tax returns, and SA100 personal returns from the same platform — ideal for landlords who hold properties in a limited company alongside personal holdings.
Landlords who prefer flexible MTD approaches
The choice between spreadsheet bridging (£6–£10/m) and smart tracking (£10–£14/m) means users can select the workflow that suits their existing record-keeping habits — a level of flexibility that most platforms do not offer.
Landlords with complex multi-source income
Taxd is built for individuals with multiple income streams — self-employment, UK property, foreign property, employment, investments, and overseas income — across a single, guided platform with expert support.