I have just learned belatedly that I need to use commercial software for year ends
from 1/1/2016.
Can someone please recommend easy to use, not too expensive software, only for CT600 submissions, and not linked to accounts.
I only have 10 company clients, and retired, so nothing too complicated please. Also it needs to make return to Companies House.
Many thanks
Replies (23)
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I use IRIS which I'm sure you don't want
but I keep hearing good things about taxfiler and you're operation is small enough to be covered by their £10 a month plan, if that's inexpensive enough.
Tax Filer
Hi Tony,
We actually use IRIS as a practice however, I believe Taxfiler would be ideal for what you need.
Cloud based software, paid via a monthly fee.
Very very user friendly.
Many thanks,
Dale.
Taxfiler
I have used it since I set up my practice just over 2 years ago - very easy to use, low monthly fee and as said above, the £10+VAT per month option gives you 50 returns per year of any type, including CT600.
You can do wonders with a cotton reel, a paperclip, an elastic band and a cocktail stick.
Tell me more
You can do wonders with a cotton reel, a paperclip, an elastic band and a cocktail stick.
Sounds like my preferred kind of low-tech software.
Worth arguing about ?
I have not been able to speak to anyone at TaxFiler, have to submit Email. I should mention that I produce final accounts using Excel and all accounts schedules for client info only.
I then enter on C600 manually and check that I have done tax calculation correctly. I do not want to produce accounts on linked software. The £!2 monthly fee is also for self employed which I do not need, just CT600 on its own.
To be fair, £12 a month, £14.40 a client, it's not big bucks. Add it to their bill.
Tell your clients HMRC have imposed it on you and to complain to their MPs.
FTax:
For the small practitioner who has a limited number of Ltd Co clients, I would recommend Ftax.
They also now include a free "digitisation" service for "Tagging" both accounts and computations with the essential iXBRL taxonomies
One can purchase a one off package for up to 5 clients for just £50 + VAT with no ongoing monthly fees, no forward commitment.
https://www.ftax.co.uk/index.php?action=packages_display&tpl=productPage...
I am not sure I agree with JAADAMS about not needing the accounts. You cannot submit excel accounts to either HMRC or CH so you need an accounts package to produce IXBRL regardless so surely it makes more sense to do it all in one package?
Frankly if Taxfiler is too expensive at a tenner a month it might be time to speed up your retirement.
No You Don't!
I am not sure I agree with JAADAMS about not needing the accounts. You cannot submit excel accounts to either HMRC or CH so you need an accounts package to produce IXBRL regardless so surely it makes more sense to do it all in one package?
Frankly if Taxfiler is too expensive at a tenner a month it might be time to speed up your retirement.
A number of potential solutions.
Which include a small effective tagging service at just £12 a pop.
http://www.xl2xbrl.co.uk/template.php
Jim who runs Brankin software is a very nice and helpful man.
£10/month X 12 = £120.
Thus Ftax CT600 solution is the best on the market for value.
Before you retire the man off, always remember the old adage.
Older accountants do not retire: they merely fade away...!
In any case, many small practitioners, focus their practice on a speciality: which may well include GPs and Dental Partnership Practices.
With all the problems facing SME Limited Liability Close Companies and Family Businesses, I know many very successful sole practitioners who wouldn't touch company accounts with a very long bargepole!
The arrogant tendency today, is for "Accountants" to do everything: PAYE; AE; Bookkeeping; Charity Work; VAT; et al.
Madness! Jack of all trades: master of none, springs to mind...
Unless it is say a minimum 5 partner practice, who can afford to employ fulltime, a compliance officer and a tax partner; a PAYE whiz and a VAT expert?
Embarrassing
The arrogant tendency today, is for "Accountants" to do everything: PAYE; AE; Bookkeeping; Charity Work; VAT; et al.
Madness! Jack of all trades: master of none, springs to mind...
Charities apart, that's what your average businessman is expected to do.
And accountants can't cope, you say ?
Really?
The arrogant tendency today, is for "Accountants" to do everything: PAYE; AE; Bookkeeping; Charity Work; VAT; et al.
Madness! Jack of all trades: master of none, springs to mind...
Charities apart, that's what your average businessman is expected to do.
And accountants can't cope, you say ?
Thus you are suggesting the "Average Businessman" can deal with all this without any external advice and support?
My considerable experience of and with SMEs, including Sole Traders, Partnerships, and Close Companies would suggest quite the reverse.
And this is all apart from ICT, Employment Law, H & S, Fire Regulations, et al.
Plus, of course any subject-specific compliance issues relative to their area of trade.
Perhaps therefore you are suggesting the average practitioner can competently advise upon all these issues?
Surely; an accountant in practice, is a business: now the whole point of business is to, hopefully, create firstly an income, sufficient to defray the overhead costs, provide a reasonable living for the participant/s, and, hopefully, create wealth for the promoters?
If not, then what's the point?
Ergo, specialism invariably succeeds: rather than generalism, which does not.
Cynically, my considerable experience of "Advisers" today has been, mainly, it is a case of the blind leading the even more blind: as so often, BS baffled brains.
They are, sadly, rarely challenged since Britain, from a business, core competence and true wealth generational perspective is now a nation of amateurs...
View
The arrogant tendency today, is for "Accountants" to do everything: PAYE; AE; Bookkeeping; Charity Work; VAT; et al.
Madness! Jack of all trades: master of none, springs to mind...
Charities apart, that's what your average businessman is expected to do.
And accountants can't cope, you say ?
Thus you are suggesting the "Average Businessman" can deal with all this without any external advice and support?
My considerable experience of and with SMEs, including Sole Traders, Partnerships, and Close Companies would suggest quite the reverse.
And this is all apart from ICT, Employment Law, H & S, Fire Regulations, et al.
Plus, of course any subject-specific compliance issues relative to their area of trade.
Perhaps therefore you are suggesting the average practitioner can competently advise upon all these issues?
Surely; an accountant in practice, is a business: now the whole point of business is to, hopefully, create firstly an income, sufficient to defray the overhead costs, provide a reasonable living for the participant/s, and, hopefully, create wealth for the promoters?
If not, then what's the point?
Ergo, specialism invariably succeeds: rather than generalism, which does not.
Cynically, my considerable experience of "Advisers" today has been, mainly, it is a case of the blind leading the even more blind: as so often, BS baffled brains.
They are, sadly, rarely challenged since Britain, from a business, core competence and true wealth generational perspective is now a nation of amateurs...
Well, you're entitled to your view.
TaxCalc
Taxcalc is very good i use it for accounts production and all tax filing and has a pretty good check and send feature.
VT + BTC
Can't go wrong with VT for accounts production and BTC for tax returns in my opinion.
I have a Digita licence if anyone is interested!! Not sure if I can transfer it or not but they aren't letting me out!
@Michael C Feltham
your maths is plain wrong.
ftax plus tagging service = £75 plus £12 x 10 = £195
Taxfiler = 12 x £10 = £120
@OP
you don't need to speak to Taxfiler, it is an online signup process.
HMRC are insisting on the use of accing packages....
See here...http://www.ion.icaew.com/TaxFaculty/post/More-on-Making-Tax-Digital
While HMRC has said very clearly that it does not want transactional data in the proposed quarterly returns, what it will want is for businesses and self employed people themselves to keep their accounting records digitally. Verbally we are told that using excel is not digital record keeping; it will have to be accounting software
Not my understanding
See here...http://www.ion.icaew.com/TaxFaculty/post/More-on-Making-Tax-Digital
While HMRC has said very clearly that it does not want transactional data in the proposed quarterly returns, what it will want is for businesses and self employed people themselves to keep their accounting records digitally. Verbally we are told that using excel is not digital record keeping; it will have to be accounting software
Whilst I am happy to be corrected, my understanding was that, in the smaller cases, the taxpayer was free to keep his records as he wished and upload quarterly totals by way of an "app", the details of which are yet to be made available.
It would, of course, be impossible to prohibit taxpayers from keeping their initial records in traditional ways. HMRC can only control how they are submitted.