HMRC Tax Filing. £3.99 Per Filing. No Subscription.
VAT, Self Assessment & Property filed in minutes, not hours.CIS, Reliefs, Losses, State Benefits & more: always free, no credits needed.
~£20/year vs. FreeAgent £228 · Xero £180 · QuickBooks £144Same HMRC-recognised compliance. A fraction of the price.
Zero Commitment. Total Control.
No contracts ✗ No subscriptions ✗ Just pay-as-you-go freedom ✓
4 free credits on sign-up · £3.99 per filing · Only charged on success
100% HMRC Recognised
Officially reviewed and approved by HMRC for Making Tax Digital compliance
100% HMRC Recognised
Officially reviewed and approved by HMRC for Making Tax Digital
Bank-Level Security
OTP authentication and encryption. Your credentials are never stored
Save Hours Every Return
Average submission time: 3 minutes for VAT, 8 minutes for Self Assessment
Receipts Stored Forever
All HMRC submission receipts stored and downloadable anytime for your records
No Hidden Fees
Pay only for successful submissions. Nil returns always free
VAT Filing
Upload our CSV template or fill the form. File your VAT return in seconds!
£3.99 per filing*
Self Assessment Income Tax
Get ready for the HMRC MTD Self Assessment switch over from April 2026
£3.99 per filing*
✓ Extra Details (always free, no credits needed):
Save Hundreds vs Traditional Software
Typical sole trader filing 4 VAT returns + 5 Self Assessments per year
| FileThat | QuickBooks / Xero | Accountant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | From £3.99* | £180-300 | £500-1000 |
| Setup Cost | £0 | £0-50 | £0-100 |
| Nil VAT Returns | Free ✓ | Included | £50-100 each |
| Amendments | Free ✓ | Included | £50-150 each |
| Contract | None ✓ | 12 months | Per service |
| Extra Details (CIS, Reliefs, Losses…) | Free ✓ | Included | £50-200 each |
| Annual Savings vs FileThat | – | £160-296 | £480-996 |
*Best case scenario: 4 NIL VAT returns (free) + 5 Self Assessment filings - 4 free credits = 1 × £3.99 = £3.99/year
Even with all paid filings: 4 VAT + 5 SA - 4 free credits = 5 × £3.99 = £19.95/year (still 80-95% cheaper than competitors)
⚡ First 500 users lock in £3.99 per filing forever. After that: £6.99 standard price.
Bank-Level Security for Your Peace of Mind
Your account is protected with One-Time Password (OTP) authentication. Minimal data stored. Maximum security. We encrypt everything, store only what's essential, and never keep your HMRC credentials. Your tax data stays yours.
Everything You Need for UK Tax Compliance
Direct HMRC integration. Automated submissions. Complete peace of mind.
Direct HMRC Integration
Connect securely to HMRC using OAuth authentication. Your credentials stay private while we handle VAT returns, Self Assessment, and Agent Services directly through HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) platform. No manual data entry. No third-party intermediaries.
Digital Records That Work For You
Stay MTD compliant effortlessly. FileThat automatically maintains your digital records as required by HMRC's Making Tax Digital rules. Completely free, no hidden charges. Your stored transactions auto-populate submission forms, saving hours of manual data entry. Whether you're self-employed, a landlord, or VAT-registered, we handle the record-keeping so you can focus on your business.
Accountant-Ready Income & Expenditure Ledger
HMRC's Making Tax Digital isn't optional, and a spreadsheet or bag of receipts won't satisfy it. If you're a sole trader or landlord who uses an accountant, you're still legally required to keep digital records yourself. FileThat's Income & Expenditure ledger lets you record every transaction throughout the year, attach receipts as you go, and hand your accountant a fully compliant, categorised record ready to file. No chasing paperwork at year end. No rekeying. Just clean, structured data that goes straight from your ledger to HMRC.
AI-Powered Receipt Intelligence
Transform receipt management with cutting-edge AI. Just snap a photo. Our advanced OCR technology instantly extracts merchant names, amounts, dates, and categories with enterprise-grade accuracy. No manual typing. No data entry errors. Convert processed receipts into HMRC-compliant Digital Records in one click. Receipt images are automatically deleted after extraction for maximum security and privacy.
AI Categorisation Assistant
Not sure which HMRC tax category your transaction belongs to? Open any digital record and let our built-in AI guide you. It analyses the description, amount, and merchant, asks a couple of plain-English questions if needed, and then suggests the correct category, explaining its reasoning in plain English. No accounting knowledge required. One click to confirm, and the record updates instantly. Powered by Claude Haiku 4.5 and built specifically for UK tax rules.
Why we don't use Open Banking, and why that's good for you
The principle that runs through FileThat is simple: we ask for the minimum we need to do the job, and nothing more. That applies at sign-up, and it applies to your transactions.
Open Banking would let us pull your transactions automatically, but to do that we'd need to handle a lot more than we actually need, and the licensing that comes with it costs £36K–£100K a year, a cost that ends up on customers' bills. We've taken a different path: you upload a simple CSV from your bank (date, description, amount) and our AI handles the categorising and filing. We never see your account number, sort code, or balance, because we don't need them to file your tax. The less we hold, the less there is to lose.
Same outcome, lower cost, fewer details on the line.
If enough of you tell us Open Banking would change your mind, we'll listen.
UK & Foreign Property Filing
One of the few MTD-compatible platforms to fully support all three income types: Self Employment, UK Property, and Foreign Property. Whether you're a domestic landlord, own holiday lets abroad, or manage a mixed portfolio, file quarterly updates and annual returns for every property type directly with HMRC. Handle income, expenses, allowances, and adjustments for each property source separately, exactly how HMRC requires. Foreign property landlords: no more spreadsheets and guesswork.
Self Assessment Made Simple
£3.99 per filing. Credits only deducted when HMRC confirms receipt. Failed submission? Keep your credit. Unlimited amendments? Free. Additional information (Capital Gains, Employment, Pensions)? Free. First 500 users lock in this price forever.
VAT Returns on Autopilot
£3.99 per filing. Nil returns? Always free. Credits only deducted when HMRC confirms receipt. Upload our CSV template or fill the form. Your choice. File quarterly VAT in seconds. First 500 users lock in this price forever.
Try Four, Free
Get started with 4 free credits. Purchase credits as you need them. They're only deducted when HMRC confirms successful receipt. Failed submission? Keep your credit.
Built for Agents
Manage multiple clients effortlessly. Switch between organizations, and keep all your clients' tax affairs in one secure platform.
Never Miss a Deadline
Get email reminders 7, 3, and 1 day before each filing deadline, plus confirmations when you submit to HMRC. Stay ahead of penalties.
File From Anywhere
Fully responsive design means you can manage your tax obligations from your phone, tablet, or desktop. On the train, at the office, or from your sofa.
Save £100–£700 a year vs. the alternatives
FileThat is £3.99 per filing — pay only when HMRC confirms a successful submission. No subscription, no contract, no auto-renew. The full feature set, at a fraction of the price.
| Software | Annual cost | How they charge |
|---|---|---|
FileThat That's us | £20 typical sole trader | Pay-per-filing: £3.99 per VAT or SA submission. Nil returns free. Amendments free. |
FreeAgent | £228 £19/mo | Monthly subscription. Free if you bank with NatWest, RBS, or Mettle. |
Xero Starter | £180 £15/mo | Monthly subscription. Standard tier £30/mo (£360/yr). |
QuickBooks Sole Trader | £144 £12/mo | Monthly subscription, list price. |
Untied Pro | £160 annual | Annual subscription. Personal tax only. |
Pie Tax | £114 annual | Annual subscription. Self-Assessment focus. |
GoSimpleTax | £55 annual | Annual subscription. Self-Assessment only: no quarterly MTD-ITSA workflow. |
4 free credits when you sign up — that’s a full year of quarterly VAT submissions, free. No card required.
First 500 users lock in £3.99 per filing forever. After that, £6.99.Professional Invoice Generation
Create, customize, and send beautiful invoices with your branding. Because professional businesses deserve professional invoicing.
Invoice Your Clients Like a Pro
Upload your company logo, choose your brand colors, and create professional invoices that get paid faster. Our invoice system automatically generates beautifully formatted PDFs and sends them directly to your clients.
Your Brand, Your Way
Upload logos, customize colors, and add your business details
Professional PDFs
Clean, modern invoices with itemized details and payment terms
Email Delivery
Send invoices directly to clients with beautiful HTML emails
Unlimited
Create as many invoice templates as you need
Instant
Generate and send invoices in seconds
Branded
Your logo and colors on every invoice
Trackable
Monitor all your invoices in one place
Everything You Need, Right at Your Fingertips
File VAT returns and Self Assessment from anywhere. Every feature you need is just a tap away.
VAT Returns
Submit returns, view obligations, track payments, download our CSV template, and manage nil returns with ease.
Self Assessment
File all three MTD income types (Self Employment, UK Property, and Foreign Property) plus employment details, tax calculations, and amendments. One of the few platforms with full foreign property support.
Instant Submission Receipts
Get professional receipts immediately after submitting your VAT returns and Self Assessment. Clear confirmation with all the details you need for your records.
All receipts are securely stored in your FileThat account and available for download anytime. Perfect for your records, audits, or accountant requests. Never worry about lost paperwork again. Access your complete submission history whenever you need it, from anywhere.
VAT Return Receipt
Detailed confirmation of your VAT return submission with HMRC receipt date and processing number.
Self Assessment Receipt
Complete record of your Self Assessment submission with all key information from HMRC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about FileThat's HMRC-compliant tax filing platform.
Are digital records that auto-fill submission forms really free?
Yes, 100% free. Your digital records are fully integrated and can auto-populate required forms, saving you time and effort at no extra cost. Keeping digital records is mandatory for people and businesses that fall within HMRC's Making Tax Digital rules, and this integration helps you stay compliant without paying extra. No hidden upgrade, no paid add-on, no catch. Just seamless, free integration to make your tax filing easier.
What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?
Making Tax Digital is HMRC's initiative to modernise the UK tax system. It requires people and businesses in scope to keep digital records and submit returns using compatible software like FileThat. MTD for VAT is mandatory for most VAT-registered businesses, and MTD for Income Tax applies to self-employed individuals and landlords who meet HMRC thresholds.
I use an accountant. Do I still need to keep digital records myself?
Yes, and this is one of the most common misconceptions about MTD. HMRC requires you to maintain digital records throughout the year. Your accountant cannot do this part for you, and a spreadsheet or folder of scanned PDFs does not meet the standard. FileThat's Income & Expenditure ledger solves this: record income and expenses as you go, attach receipts to each line, and hand your accountant a fully compliant, categorised record. They review, adjust if needed, and submit, replacing the traditional end-of-year paperwork run. You stay compliant year-round; they save hours at filing time.
Can I upload a spreadsheet for VAT returns?
Yes! Download our CSV template, fill in your VAT figures, and upload it. FileThat automatically populates your return. Or fill the form manually if you prefer. Both methods submit directly to HMRC in seconds.
How do I connect FileThat to HMRC?
FileThat uses HMRC's secure OAuth authentication system. When you register for a service (VAT, Self Assessment, or Agent Services), you'll be redirected to HMRC's website to authorise FileThat. Your HMRC credentials never pass through our system. Everything happens directly between you and HMRC.
Is my data secure?
Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption for all data transmission and storage. Your HMRC authentication is handled through OAuth, meaning we never see your Government Gateway credentials. All communications with HMRC are encrypted and comply with their security requirements.
Do I really get 4 free HMRC credits?
Yes! Every new user gets 4 free HMRC credits. That's a full year of free VAT submissions(quarterly returns). No card required. Your credits are only deducted when HMRC confirms successful receipt of your return.
What if my submission fails?
You keep your credit. We only deduct credits when HMRC confirms successful receipt of your return. If a filing fails for any reason (validation error, HMRC downtime, or technical issue), your credit remains unused and you can try again at no cost.
How do I purchase credits?
FileThat uses Stripe, the world's leading payment processor, for secure credit purchases. We never see or store your payment details. Everything is handled directly by Stripe's PCI-compliant platform. Simply choose how many credits you need, and Stripe's secure checkout handles the rest. Your payment information is encrypted and protected by the same technology used by millions of businesses worldwide.
How much does FileThat cost?
£3.99 per filing (VAT or Self Assessment). NIL VAT returns are always free. Purchase credits as you need them. They're only used when HMRC confirms successful submission. Amendments and additional information (Capital Gains, Employment, Pensions) are always free. ⚡ Early adopter offer: First 500 users lock in £3.99 forever (standard price £6.99 after). Agents can contact us for volume discounts when managing multiple clients.
Can AI really categorise my transactions for me?
Yes, and it requires no accounting knowledge. Open any uncategorised digital record and tap the AI Categorisation Assistant. It analyses the transaction description, amount, and merchant, then asks you one or two plain-English questions if it needs more context. Once confident, it suggests the correct HMRC tax category with a plain-English explanation of why. Confirm with one click and the record is updated instantly. It's powered by Claude Haiku 4.5 and guided by UK tax rules for self-employed income, property, expenses, and VAT, so the suggestions are accurate and HMRC-compliant.
What happens if I miss a filing deadline?
FileThat shows your upcoming filing deadlines on your dashboard and emails you reminders 7, 3, and 1 day before each one to help you stay on track. If you do miss a deadline, HMRC penalties apply, not FileThat fees. We recommend keeping HMRC Deadline Alerts enabled in your notification settings.
Can tax agents use FileThat for multiple clients?
Yes! FileThat is built with agents in mind. You can authenticate with HMRC Agent Services once, then manage multiple clients from a single account. Switch between organisations easily, submit on behalf of clients, and keep all your tax work organised in one platform.
What if I need help or have technical issues?
We're here to help! You can reach us through our contact page or email support. We typically respond within 24 hours on business days. For urgent issues during filing season, we prioritise support tickets to ensure you can meet your deadlines.
Can I earn free credits by referring friends?
Yes! Earn more credits using our referral scheme. Refer a friend and earn a credit for any new registration. Share your unique referral code with friends, and when they sign up, you'll automatically receive a free credit. It's our way of saying thank you for spreading the word about FileThat.
Can I file for foreign property income?
Yes. FileThat is one of the few MTD-compatible platforms that fully supports foreign property filing alongside UK property and self-employment. You can submit quarterly updates and annual returns for overseas rental income, report foreign property expenses and allowances, and handle adjustments, all directly to HMRC. No need to switch between different tools or resort to manual spreadsheets for your overseas portfolio.
What property income types does FileThat support?
FileThat supports all three MTD income types: Self Employment, UK Property, and Foreign Property. For each property source you can manage income, expenses, allowances, and adjustments separately, exactly how HMRC requires under Making Tax Digital. Whether you have a single buy-to-let, a mixed UK and overseas portfolio, or furnished holiday lets, FileThat handles it all in one place.