Free Self Assessment Software: What Are Your Options?

Filing a Self Assessment tax return doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive, or time-consuming. Whether you’re a landlord, a contractor, or simply an entrepreneur managing multiple income streams, there are a growing number of tools designed to help you prepare, calculate, and submit your Self Assessment to HMRC, often at no cost at all.

As HMRC’s digital landscape evolves, especially with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) rolling out this year, you’ll want software that doesn’t just get your return done but also keeps you compliant and organised.

This guide explores the top free Self Assessment software options available in the UK, compares their features, and helps you decide which one is right for your circumstances.

What does ‘free’ really mean?

When we talk about free Self Assessment software, we mean tools that allow you to prepare and/or submit your tax return without having to pay a software subscription or licence fee.

However, ‘free’ software can take various forms:

• Completely free to use, often without limits
• Free during a testing or beta phase, possibly with future paid add-ons
• Free tier with optional paid upgrades for additional features or support
• Free through eligibility criteria (e.g., bundled with a bank account or business relationship)

Not all free tools offer the same scope of services, so choosing the right one depends on how much you want to automate, how complex your tax situation is, and how much support beyond document submission you need.

Free Self Assessment software options worth considering

Below are some of the best free tools for UK taxpayers. Each entry includes key features, strengths, and limitations.

1. AbraTax – A simple online filing tool

AbraTax is designed to keep things simple, focusing on helping users complete and submit their Self Assessment return accurately rather than offering full bookkeeping or accounting functionality. As a result, its core features are all centred on making the filing process as clear and error-free as possible.

In practical terms, this means users get access to the following:

• Fully cloud-based access, allowing you to log in from any device without installing software
• Step-by-step Self Assessment guidance that mirrors the structure of HMRC’s official forms but presents them in a clearer and more user-friendly format
• Built-in error checking to flag common mistakes before submission
• Support for multiple returns, which can be useful when filing for family members
• The ability to upload supporting documents in PDF format

These features make AbraTax a strong option for taxpayers who already have their figures prepared and simply want a clean, digital way to submit them.

Pros and cons of AbraTax

The focus on simplicity is also reflected in the platform’s strengths. The main advantages users tend to notice are:

• The ability to submit returns to HMRC at no cost while the software remains in beta
• A clean, intuitive interface that guides users through each section
• Access to a wide range of Self Assessment forms, including SA100, SA101, and SA103
• Reduced risk of errors through automated validation checks

However, the same factors that make AbraTax straightforward can also limit it in certain situations. There are a few drawbacks worth bearing in mind:

• Reliance on a beta product where some advanced features are still in development
• Limitations when dealing with complex income sources or unusual tax circumstances

Overall, AbraTax is best suited to taxpayers who want a straightforward online filing tool and don’t need advanced bookkeeping or automation.

2. Pie – An app-based, mobile-first solution

Pie is a free Self Assessment app that combines filing with light bookkeeping. Instead of waiting until the end of the tax year, users can connect bank accounts, record income and expenses, and see how their estimated tax bill changes as new transactions are added.

This approach relies on a set of features designed to provide visibility and convenience:

• Real-time tax calculations that update as income and expenses are recorded
• Bank account connections to import transactions automatically
• Categorisation tools to organise expenses
• Direct submission of Self Assessment returns to HMRC

By bringing these elements together, Pie turns Self Assessment into a continuous process.

Pros and cons of Pie

The benefits of this setup are most noticeable for people with variable income, where visibility and flexibility matter more than traditional year-end accounting:

• It allows users to see their estimated tax liability throughout the year, not just at filing time.
• The mobile-first design makes it easy to manage tax on the go.
• It includes filing with HMRC.
• It supports multiple income streams, such as self-employment and property income.

That said, Pie’s focus on simplicity and accessibility does involve some trade-offs that users should consider before relying on it long term:

• Advanced features or additional support may be offered as paid add-ons.
• Bookkeeping tools are lighter than those found in full accounting software.
• Users with complex tax affairs may eventually outgrow the platform.

Pie works best for freelancers, contractors, and sole traders who value visibility and ease of use, and who want an all-in-one app without committing to paid accounting software.

3. Clear Books – Free accounting software with Self Assessment features

Clear Books offers a permanent free plan aimed at sole traders and landlords who need to keep digital records and submit updates to HMRC under MTD rules.

To support this, Clear Books includes the following core functionality:

• Digital recording of income and expenses
• MTD-compliant submissions to HMRC
• Tools for sending quarterly updates where required
• Basic invoicing and reporting features

This combination of features makes Clear Books more than just a filing tool – it becomes a platform for proactively managing business financials.

Pros and cons of Clear Books

The advantages of this approach are clear for taxpayers preparing for MTD:

• Encourages compliant habits throughout the year
• Reduces the amount of work required at year end
• Is suitable for both sole traders and landlords
• Allows free access to core MTD functionality

At the same time, Clear Books may not suit everyone’s circumstances, especially those with very simple tax situations. Here are some limitations to consider:

• Requires ongoing use rather than one-off filing
• May feel excessive for straightforward tax situations
• Requires additional spending for some advanced features

Clear Books is a strong option for taxpayers who expect to fall under MTD ITSA rules and want to prepare without paying for software prematurely.

4. FreeAgent – Free via eligibility

FreeAgent is a well-established accounting platform that includes Self Assessment filing as part of a wider financial toolkit. While it isn’t free by default, many users can access it at no cost through eligible business bank accounts (NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, and Mettle).

FreeAgent offers a comprehensive set of features:

• Automated bank feeds and transaction categorisation
• Integration between bookkeeping and Self Assessment data
• Clear timelines showing upcoming tax liabilities
• Direct submission of returns to HMRC

By keeping bookkeeping and Self Assessment integrated, FreeAgent allows small business owners to focus on running their business rather than worrying about separate software or last-minute calculations.

Pros and cons of FreeAgent

The benefits of FreeAgent are particularly valuable for growing businesses or those with multiple income streams, where keeping everything in one system saves time and prevents errors.

Here are FreeAgent’s most valuable features:

• It automatically pulls income and expense data into your tax calculations, reducing manual entry at year end.
• It provides strong visibility of deadlines and liabilities.
• It’s suitable for growing businesses with ongoing accounting needs.

While FreeAgent is powerful, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are also important limitations to consider:

• Dependence on eligibility criteria or time-limited trials for free access
• Requirement to move onto a paid plan if eligibility is lost
• Inclusion of advanced features that may be unnecessary for simple tax needs

FreeAgent is best suited to taxpayers who already qualify for free access and want a single system for bookkeeping, tax, and reporting.

5. Zoho Books – Free for eligible small businesses

Zoho Books offers a free plan for small businesses in the UK that meet a certain turnover threshold (£35,000 of annual revenue or below). Unlike short-term trials, this is a permanent free tier designed for very small operations that need structured bookkeeping without monthly subscription costs.

While Zoho Books is not a dedicated Self Assessment filing tool, the free plan includes features that help you prepare accurate figures for your tax return by keeping your records organised throughout the year.

On its free plan, Zoho Books includes:

• Digital recording of income and expenses
• Automated bank feeds for importing transactions
• Basic transaction categorisation and reconciliation
• VAT tracking and MTD-compliant VAT submissions
• Profit and loss reporting
• Cloud access with no installation required

For sole traders who qualify, this means you can maintain proper accounting records at no cost and generate the profit figures needed for Self Assessment without relying on spreadsheets.

Pros and cons of Zoho Books

Here are the most valuable aspects of Zoho’s free plan:

• It offers a permanent free tier for eligible small businesses.
• It relies on proper double-entry bookkeeping, which improves accuracy and compliance.
• It has built-in reporting that helps you calculate taxable profit.
• It contains MTD-compliant VAT functionality.

However, there are important limitations to understand before relying on it:

• Self Assessment returns must still be submitted separately via HMRC or other software.
• Advanced features, additional users, and automation tools require paid upgrades.
• The system may feel more complex than simple tax-only software.

Zoho Books is best suited to sole traders and very small businesses that qualify for the free tier and want full bookkeeping software at no cost.

Use HMRC’s own tools and manual options

For some taxpayers, filing directly through HMRC’s online services remains an option. This route can be free and familiar, but it provides little guidance, no bookkeeping support, and limited error checking.

As digital requirements expand, many taxpayers find that third-party software offers a better balance of support and control, even when both approaches are technically free.

If ‘free’ just doesn’t cut it anymore, try ANNA

Free tools can be enough for new businesses, but they often leave organisation and tax tracking up to you. As your business grows, this can lead to messy records and additional stress as deadlines approach.

Switching to a tool like ANNA helps automate the routine parts of record-keeping and gives you clearer visibility throughout the year.

ANNA isn’t a standalone Self Assessment filing tool, but it’s designed to support Self Assessment by helping users stay organised, keep accurate records, and understand their tax position throughout the year. For sole traders and small business owners, this can remove much of the friction that usually builds up before filing season.

ANNA’s approach centres on preparation rather than last-minute completion. Here are the tools ANNA uses to support Self Assessment:

• A new Self Assessment feature that guides users through their tax return preparation, including reminders, prompts for deductions, and integration with existing records
• A free UK business account that separates business income and expenses from personal spending
• Automatic categorisation of transactions to help keep records tidy and HMRC-ready
• Real-time tracking of income and expenses, giving clearer visibility of profits
• Tools for capturing receipts and storing financial records digitally

By combining these tools, ANNA helps users take control of their finances throughout the year, making Self Assessment less stressful.

Get started with ANNA today and see how easy it can be to stay organised, track your income, and prepare for Self Assessment – all from a single, intuitive platform.