Do it yourself on HMRC
Free
Best for: Confident filers with simple affairs and time to spare.
- No cost
- Full control
- Tax jargon and long forms
- Nothing checks your figures
- Easy to miss reliefs or make mistakes
Compare
DIY, accountant or TaxButler: an honest comparison.
Doing it yourself is free but you're on your own. A traditional accountant typically costs £250–£600+. TaxButler calculates your tax for free and charges from £79 to validate it so you can submit it to HMRC yourself.
Traditional accountant
Typically £250–£600+
Best for: Complex affairs: multiple properties, trusts, foreign income.
- Someone else handles everything
- Good for complex cases
- Expensive for most returns
- Back-and-forth emails
- Can take weeks
TaxButler
Our approachFree to calculate, submit from £79
Best for: Employees with extra income, freelancers and first-time filers.
- Free calculation with instructions to file yourself
- Validated and submitted to HMRC by you, in minutes
- Premium: agentic analysis of reliefs and future planning
- You submit your own return — we're software, not an accountant
- Not for very complex cases yet — we'll tell you upfront
Side by side
| Do it yourself | Traditional accountant | TaxButler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to see your tax | Free | Usually after you've engaged them | Free, no account or card |
| Cost to submit | Free | £250–£600+ | £79 (Premium £99) |
| Plain-English explanations | No | Depends on your accountant | Yes, for every figure |
| Paperwork | You type everything | You email documents | Free: simple guided form. Paid: upload or chat to the Butler Agent, you confirm |
| Checks before submission | No | Yes | Yes, automated validation against HMRC's rules |
| Time to finish | Hours | Days to weeks | Minutes |
| Relief and planning advice | No | Often extra | Yes, on Premium |
| Complex cases (trusts, foreign income) | Possible, risky | Yes | Not yet — we'll tell you upfront |
Accountant fees are typical UK ranges for a simple Self Assessment and vary by firm and location.
When to do it yourself
If you're confident with tax, your affairs haven't changed and you have time to work through HMRC's forms, filing directly with HMRC is free and perfectly sensible.
When to use a traditional accountant
If you have several properties, foreign income, trusts or an HMRC enquiry, a dedicated accountant is the right choice. We'll tell you if that's you.
When TaxButler fits best
If you're employed with extra income, a straightforward freelancer, or filing for the first time, you get a clear, explained calculation for free — and validated self-submission for a fixed fee.
Tax sorted. Without the usual bill.
Calculate for free. Validate and submit yourself from £79.