DIY Tax – What You Need to Know
An in-depth look at DIY Tax — features, strengths, limitations, and who it's best for.
At a Glance
Key facts about DIY Tax at a glance.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Software Type | Simple MTD Filing Tool |
| Target Users | Sole Traders, Landlords, VAT-Registered Small Businesses, Accountants/Bookkeepers |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property (profile-based setup) |
| Free MTD Software Plan | 30-day free trial only |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes |
| Invoice Creation | No |
| Receipt Capture (OCR) | Yes |
| Expense Auto-Categorisation | No |
| Property Portfolio Management | No |
| Tenant Management | No |
| Joint Ownership & Profit Sharing | No |
| Payroll | No |
| HMO Unit-Level Tracking | No |
| HMRC SA105 Box Pre-Mapping | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
What Is DIY Tax?
What Is DIY Tax?
DIY Tax is a lightweight, HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital filing tool built by Rhino Apps (rhinoapps.com), a UK-based software company whose parent product — the Rhino Small Business App — was the first accounting package approved by HMRC for MTD. DIY Tax launched as a simplified, stripped-down product specifically designed for individuals and small businesses who want basic MTD compliance without the complexity or cost of full accounting software.
DIY Tax's core proposition is simplicity: it guides users through a four-step process — set up your profile, connect to HMRC, add your income and expenses, and submit to HMRC. The platform offers three ways to keep digital records: key-in data directly on mobile (ideal for individuals with simple affairs), upload from a spreadsheet via the bridging feature (ideal for landlords who already use spreadsheets), or link to a bank account for automatic transaction import. DIY Tax supports MTD for both Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) and VAT, and is available on mobile, iPad, smart devices, and desktop via a web browser.
Strengths
- Very affordable — just £7+VAT/month or £75+VAT/year
- Extremely simple four-step filing process
- Three flexible data entry methods (mobile key-in, spreadsheet, bank link)
- Supports both MTD ITSA and MTD for VAT
- 30-day free trial to test before committing
- Built by Rhino Apps: parent company was first HMRC-approved MTD software
- Mobile-first design, works on any device
- Landlord profile with per-property identification and recurring payment setup
- Receipt photo capture for expense evidence
- UK-based support team via chat and email
Limitations
- No property portfolio management or tenant tracking
- No AI-powered expense categorisation
- No chart of accounts, journal entries, or formal P&L
- No joint ownership or profit-sharing automation
- No invoice creation or branding
- No agent filing on behalf of landlord clients
- No phone support (chat and email only)
- Limited reporting: no balance sheet, trial balance, or formal accounting reports
- No multi-user access or accountant portal
- No foreign property income support confirmed
Making Tax Digital Compliance
How DIY Tax Handles MTD for Landlords and Sole Traders
DIY Tax is HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA and supports sole trader and UK property income through its profile-based setup system. When a landlord creates a "Landlord" profile, the system tailors the experience to property income, asking for details on each rental property. The platform handles quarterly updates and the final year-end declaration, with auto-calculations, real-time validation, and in-app reminders to help users avoid missed deadlines. DIY Tax also supports MTD for VAT — an advantage over RentalBux for VAT-registered landlords or sole traders. However, DIY Tax does not appear to explicitly confirm support for foreign property income, and does not offer agent filing — the landlord must submit directly through the platform themselves.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| HMRC Recognised (MTD ITSA) | Yes |
| MTD Quarterly Updates | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes |
| Digital Record Keeping | Yes |
| Digital Links Compliant | Yes |
| Sole Trader Income | Yes |
| UK Property Income | Yes |
| Foreign Property Income | No |
| Multiple Income Streams | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | No |
Property Management
DIY Tax: Basic Landlord Profile with Property Identification
DIY Tax offers a "Landlord" profile option during setup, which tailors the experience to property income. Landlords provide details for each rental property so they can be individually identified. The platform supports "regular payments" setup so that recurring rent payments are automatically loaded each month. DIY Tax also includes a "property" feature for storing notes and documents against a property and adding follow-up actions. However, there is no property portfolio dashboard, no tenant management, no per-property profit & loss reporting, no joint ownership automation, and no HMO-specific support. DIY Tax recommends that landlords with 5 or fewer properties use the mobile key-in method, as it maintains a full digital record simply and quickly.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Property Portfolio Management | No |
| Tenant Management | No |
| Rent Tracking | No |
| Property Expense Allocation | No |
| Multiple Property Support | Yes |
| HMO Property Support | No |
| Joint Ownership/Profit Sharing | No |
| Maintenance Tracking | No |
| Tenant Screening | No |
| Compliance Document Alerts | No |
| Arrears Tracking | No |
Bookkeeping, Accounting & Digital Record Keeping
DIY Tax: Simple Digital Record Keeping with Three Data Entry Methods
DIY Tax takes the simplest possible approach to digital record keeping: it offers three methods to enter data — key-in directly on mobile, upload from a spreadsheet via the bridging feature, or link to a bank account for automatic import. The platform does not offer a chart of accounts, journal entries, double-entry bookkeeping, or formal financial reports. Records are stored in secure cloud storage for audit or review anytime. DIY Tax's auto-calculations and real-time validation check totals automatically before submission, reducing the risk of errors. This approach is sufficient for basic MTD compliance but provides no structured accounting framework for landlords who want clean, categorised financial records.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | No |
| Journal Entries | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | No |
| Xero Integration | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes |
Invoicing, Expense Tracking
DIY Tax: Basic Expense Entry with Receipt Photo Capture
DIY Tax provides basic expense recording through its three data entry methods. The platform includes a "take a photo" service for storing copies of invoices and expense receipts — useful for maintaining evidence of allowable deductions. However, there is no AI-powered categorisation, no OCR (the photo is stored as an image rather than automatically read and categorised), no invoice creation, no branded invoicing, and no payment tracking or automated reminders. Landlords using DIY Tax would need to manually categorise expenses. DIY Tax does offer guidance on property tax allowances and reliefs to help landlords understand what they can claim.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | No |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | No |
| Online Payment Collection | No |
| Payment Tracking/Reminders | No |
| Expense Tracking | Yes |
| Receipt Capture (OCR/Photo) | Yes (photo only, no OCR) |
| Expense Categorisation | Manual |
| Automated Transaction Matching | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | No |
Reporting & Tax Forecasting
DIY Tax: Real-Time Tax Position Visibility
DIY Tax's key reporting feature is its real-time tax position visibility — the platform shows an estimated tax overview so landlords always know where they stand. The quarterly submission process automatically summarises records for each period. At year-end, landlords can combine property records with other income and expenses for a combined declaration and self-assessment. However, DIY Tax does not produce formal profit & loss reports, balance sheets, trial balances, or per-property financial breakdowns.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | No |
| Balance Sheet | No |
| Trial Balance | No |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | No |
| AI-Powered Features | No |
Collaboration & Mobile Apps
DIY Tax: Individual Filing with Accountant Suitability
DIY Tax is designed primarily for individuals filing their own returns. The platform does not offer a dedicated accountant portal, multi-user access, or agent filing. However, DIY Tax describes itself as "ideal for accountants and bookkeepers who want a simple solution to support their small-business clients" — suggesting that accountants can use the platform on behalf of clients by logging into their accounts, though this is not a formalised multi-user or agent filing feature. DIY Tax works on mobile, iPad, smart devices, and desktop, providing flexibility for on-the-go filing. UK-based support is available via chat and email.
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | No |
| Multi-User Access | No |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | No |
| Bank Integration | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android |
| Web Browser Access | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
Ease of Use, Support & Security
DIY Tax's Ease of Use
DIY Tax emphasises its "no jargon, no stress" approach — the platform is designed to guide users through each step clearly, from first login to final submission. DIY Tax's mobile-first design means the entire filing process can be completed on a phone. Customer support is available via chat and email from a UK-based team, with a growing library of help articles, guides, and FAQs. Phone support is not available. Testimonials on the DIY Tax website highlight ease of use for non-technical users, including a landlord aged nearly 70 who found MTD "a real burden" until DIY Tax "made it so much easier."
| Feature | DIY Tax |
|---|---|
| Phone Support | No |
| Chat Support | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | No |
| Enterprise-Grade Security | Yes |
Unique Features Only DIY Tax Offers
MTD for VAT Support
DIY Tax supports both MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) and MTD for VAT in a single platform. VAT-registered sole traders and small businesses can record transactions, prepare quarterly VAT submissions, and send them directly to HMRC.
Three Flexible Data Entry Methods
DIY Tax offers three ways to keep digital records: key-in data directly on mobile (simplest for individuals), upload from a spreadsheet via bridging (ideal for landlords who already use spreadsheets), or link to a bank account for automatic import. This flexibility means landlords don't need to change their existing workflow.
Ultra-Simple Four-Step Filing Process
DIY Tax's four-step process — set up profile, connect to HMRC, add income and expenses, submit — is designed to be as frictionless as possible. The platform requires no accounting knowledge and aims to be usable by anyone, including landlords who have never used accounting software before.
Property Tax Allowances & Reliefs Guidance
DIY Tax provides support for questions on property tax allowances and reliefs, helping landlords understand what they can claim for running their rental business. This guidance is particularly valuable for first-time MTD users who are unfamiliar with allowable deductions.
Built by Rhino Apps; First HMRC-Approved MTD Software
DIY Tax is built by Rhino Apps, whose parent product (the Rhino Small Business App) was the first accounting package approved by HMRC for Making Tax Digital. Rhino Apps worked closely with HMRC to design and build the MTD platform, and was the first to submit an annual return digitally to the MTD pilot project. This heritage gives DIY Tax deep technical credibility with HMRC's systems.
Who Should Choose DIY Tax?
DIY Tax is the better MTD software choice for:
Landlords Who Want the Simplest Possible MTD Compliance
If your only goal is to meet HMRC's digital record-keeping and quarterly submission requirements with the least possible complexity, DIY Tax's four-step filing process is hard to beat. No accounting knowledge required — just enter your figures and submit.
Spreadsheet-Based Landlords Who Don't Want to Change Their Workflow
If you already manage your property finances in a spreadsheet, DIY Tax's bridging feature lets you upload your spreadsheet data directly to HMRC without changing how you work. This is particularly valuable for landlords transitioning from manual record-keeping to MTD compliance.
VAT-Registered Sole Traders and Landlords
DIY Tax supports both MTD for ITSA and MTD for VAT in a single platform. If you need both VAT and income tax compliance, DIY Tax covers both without requiring separate software. RentalBux does not currently support MTD for VAT.
Budget-Conscious Sole Traders with Simple Affairs
At £7+VAT/month (or £75+VAT/year), DIY Tax is one of the most affordable HMRC-recognised MTD platforms on the market. For sole traders with straightforward income and expenses who don't need property management features, this represents excellent value.
Non-Technical Users Who Find Accounting Software Intimidating
DIY Tax's "no jargon, no stress" approach and mobile-first design make it accessible for people who have never used accounting software. The ability to key-in data directly on a mobile phone is particularly appealing for sole traders and landlords who want to do their tax on the go.
Accountants and Bookkeepers Seeking a Simple Client Solution
While DIY Tax lacks a formal accountant portal, it positions itself as ideal for accountants and bookkeepers who want a simple, affordable tool to support small-business clients with basic MTD compliance needs.