Short answer: Filing your own Self Assessment return directly with HMRC is free, but an accountant charges a fee that depends on how complicated your finances are. At Cheap Tax Returns, fixed fees start from £199 + VAT for self-employed people and landlords, from £350 + VAT for limited companies and from £100 for dormant companies.
“How much will my tax return cost?” is one of the most common questions people ask before choosing an accountant. The honest answer is that it depends on your income, the number of sources and how organised your records are. This guide shows what drives the price and how to compare options fairly.
What does it cost to file a tax return?
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself on GOV.UK | Free | Simple affairs and confident filers |
| Commercial software | Usually a fee or subscription | DIY filers who want guidance |
| Online accountant, fixed fee | Fixed quote based on your situation | Busy people and anyone wanting it right |
| Local accountant, hourly | Varies with the time spent | People who want ongoing face-to-face advice |
Our fixed fees
- Self-employed tax return: from £199 + VAT. See self-employed tax returns.
- Landlord tax return: from £199 + VAT. See landlord tax returns.
- Non-resident landlord tax return: from £199 + VAT. See non-resident landlords.
- Limited company accounts and tax return: from £350 + VAT. See limited company accounts.
- Dormant company accounts: from £100. See dormant company accounts.
The full list is on our pricing page, and you can estimate your own with the tax return fee calculator. We confirm the fixed fee in writing before we start.
What affects the price of a tax return?
- Turnover and number of transactions. More records mean more checking.
- Income types. Self-employment, rental income, dividends, capital gains and foreign income add sections.
- Bookkeeping quality. Tidy records cost less to process than a shoebox of receipts.
- Number of years. Catching up on several years costs more than one.
- Urgency. Filing in the last days before 31 January can cost more at many firms.
Is paying an accountant worth it?
You are not paying for typing. You are paying for correct claims, fewer mistakes and the right treatment of income. Many people recover the fee through expenses they would have missed, and the cost is itself a tax-deductible expense for sole traders. The penalty for filing late starts at £100, so a deadline mistake can wipe out any saving. See do I need an accountant for my tax return? for a fuller comparison.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price fixed, and what does it include?
- Are VAT and extras such as MTD software or amendments included?
- Who prepares my return and what are their qualifications?
- What happens if HMRC asks a question afterwards?
Our returns are prepared by qualified accountants. See who we are for the details of our qualifications.
Can you cut the cost?
- Keep your records in one place all year.
- Use bookkeeping software so figures are ready.
- File early and avoid the January rush.
- Know the deadlines. See Self Assessment deadlines.
Get an exact price
For a fixed fee tailored to your situation, use our free quote form. We reply with a price you can accept before any work starts.
What a fixed fee should include
A fixed-fee quote is only useful if you know what it covers. Before you accept one, check that it includes the following:
- Preparing and filing your Self Assessment return online, including the supplementary pages you need, such as self-employment or UK property.
- Reviewing your income and expenses to make sure allowable costs are claimed.
- Calculating your Income Tax and National Insurance, and telling you what to pay and by when.
- Sending you a copy of the submitted return and the tax calculation.
- Answering routine questions about the return, and dealing with HMRC queries about it.
Ask what is not included. Common extras are bookkeeping, registering you for Self Assessment, a late-filing clean-up for earlier years, and responding to a full HMRC enquiry. Our pricing page sets out what is covered for each type of return.
What pushes the price up or down
- Number of income sources. A single self-employment is simpler than self-employment plus rental income plus dividends.
- The state of your records. Organised, categorised records take less time than a shoebox of receipts.
- Complexity. Capital gains, foreign income, partnerships and claims such as capital allowances all add work.
- Timing. Filing in the weeks before 31 January is busier, and some firms charge more for late jobs.
- Previous years. If you have unfiled returns, each year is usually a separate piece of work.
Our own fees start from £199 + VAT for self-employed and landlord returns, from £350 + VAT for a limited company, and from £100 for a dormant company. Your quote depends on your circumstances, so get a quote for an exact figure.
Doing it yourself versus using an accountant
| Do it yourself | Use an accountant | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, apart from software if you choose to buy it | A fixed fee, often tax deductible for the self-employed |
| Time | Several hours, more the first time | Mostly gathering your records |
| Risk of errors | Higher if your tax affairs are not simple | Lower, with a professional review |
| Expenses and reliefs | You need to know what to claim | Checked for you |
| Support if HMRC writes | You deal with it yourself | Help is available |
If your only income is a salary taxed through PAYE and one small side income, doing it yourself can be reasonable. Once you have rental income, a company, gains or several income sources, a fixed fee often pays for itself in claims you would otherwise miss.
Is the accountant’s fee tax deductible?
If you are self-employed, the fee for preparing your accounts and tax return for the business is normally an allowable expense, which reduces your profit and therefore your tax. Landlords can generally claim accountancy fees against rental income too. Fees for personal tax matters that are unrelated to the business are not deductible. Keep the invoice with your records.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the quote fixed, and does it include VAT?
- Which forms and pages will you complete for me?
- Who will prepare my return, and are they qualified (for example ICAEW, ACCA or AAT)?
- What happens if HMRC asks questions about my return?
- Are there extra charges for amendments or for earlier years?
- How will you ask me for information, and what is the deadline for sending it?
Watch out for very low quotes
A low headline price can hide add-ons or be based on assumptions that do not match your situation. The cheapest option is the one that is complete, accurate and filed on time, because late-filing penalties and missed expenses cost far more than a modest difference in fees. Read our guide to Self Assessment deadlines to see what late filing can cost, and compare fixed-fee options on our services page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to do a tax return?
It is free to file your own on GOV.UK. Accountants charge a fee based on complexity. Our fixed fees start from £199 + VAT for self-employed people and landlords.
Is it worth paying an accountant for a tax return?
Often yes, because they claim the right expenses, avoid mistakes and handle deadlines. Accountancy fees are also a tax-deductible expense for sole traders.
Why do accountants charge more in January?
Many firms are busiest before the 31 January deadline, so they charge more for last-minute work. Filing early usually costs less.
Do you charge VAT on your fees?
Our fees are quoted plus VAT, and we confirm the full price in writing before we start.
How much is the penalty for filing a tax return late?
An initial £100 penalty applies even if you owe no tax, with further penalties building up the longer it is late.
Want an accountant to do it for you?
Our qualified accountants prepare and file your return for a fixed fee, agreed before we start. Get a free quote, see our prices or call 0203 4411 258.
Last reviewed 28 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK taxpayers and is not personal tax advice. Scottish income tax rates differ from those shown.
Sources
Need help with your tax return?
Qualified Accotax accountants prepare and file it for a fixed fee, from £199 + VAT.
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Accotax is a London firm of qualified accountants and tax consultants, on the ICAEW approved employers list. Our team prepares Self Assessment, landlord and company tax returns every day, and each guide is checked against GOV.UK before it is published and updated every tax year.
Reviewed and kept up to date by our expert team of ICAEW, ACCA and AAT qualified accountants. Last updated . This page is general guidance, not personal advice.
