Paying £119+ for TaxScouts? EasyTax files the same returns for £24 each — instantly.
TaxScouts is a great service — but from 6 April 2026, UK sole traders must file quarterly MTD ITSA updates, not just one annual return. TaxScouts currently focuses on Self Assessment; EasyTax is built for the new quarterly cycle. File directly to HMRC for £20 + VAT (£24 inc. VAT) per submission — no subscription, no waiting for an accountant.
Annual Self Assessment is changing — quarterly MTD filings are now mandatory
From 6 April 2026, UK sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 must submit four quarterly updates to HMRC each year, plus a final declaration — replacing the single annual Self Assessment. The threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027. TaxScouts currently handles the annual return; EasyTax is built for this new quarterly cycle from day one.
April 2026
MTD ITSA: £50k+
Four quarterly updates + a final declaration replace the annual Self Assessment for sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000.
April 2027
MTD ITSA: £30k+
Threshold drops to £30,000. Around 1.4 million more taxpayers join the new quarterly reporting cycle.
Already mandatory
MTD VAT: £90k+
If you are VAT-registered above the £90,000 threshold, MTD VAT digital filing is already required.
Side-by-side: TaxScouts vs EasyTax
EasyTax
£24 / filing
TaxScouts
£119+ / year
Pricing model
EasyTax charges £20+VAT per HMRC submission; TaxScouts charges a fixed annual fee per return
Typical annual cost
EasyTax: 4 quarterly MTD updates + 1 final declaration; TaxScouts: one Self Assessment filing per year
No card to sign up
MTD ITSA quarterly updates
TaxScouts focuses on annual Self Assessment; EasyTax is built for the new mandatory quarterly MTD cycle
Self Assessment (SA100, SA103, SA105)
MTD VAT submission
CT600 Corporation Tax filing
Limited company P&L and Balance Sheet
Open Banking auto-import
EasyTax connects directly to your UK bank account and auto-imports transactions
AI expense categorisation
EasyTax uses Claude AI to categorise and reconcile transactions against HMRC allowable expenses
AI bank reconciliation chat
File in your own time, instantly
TaxScouts assigns you an accountant — filing depends on their availability
Human accountant reviews your return
EasyTax is self-serve software; TaxScouts provides a qualified accountant
Tax advice and planning
TaxScouts accountants can advise on allowances; EasyTax does not give tax advice
Complex employment + self-employment
TaxScouts handles more complex mixed-income returns with human review
TaxScouts pricing reflects public plans as of mid-2026. We are not affiliated with TaxScouts. TaxScouts is a trademark of TaxScouts Ltd.
Honest tradeoffs
Where EasyTax wins
- Built for MTD ITSA quarterly updates — the mandatory new filing cycle from April 2026.
- File on your own schedule, any time — no waiting for an accountant to become available.
- Open Banking auto-import: connect your UK bank and transactions flow in automatically, categorised by AI.
- Covers VAT returns and CT600 Corporation Tax — not just Self Assessment.
- No card required to sign up. Try before you pay.
Where TaxScouts wins
- A qualified accountant reviews your return before it is submitted — peace of mind for complex situations.
- Active tax advice and planning — an accountant can flag allowances you may have missed.
- Better suited to complex mixed-income returns (employment + self-employment + property + dividends).
- Human support if HMRC queries your return.
If your tax situation is complex — multiple income streams, significant capital gains, or you simply want an expert to check your numbers — TaxScouts or a traditional accountant may be the right call. But if you are a straightforward sole trader or landlord who wants to stay HMRC-compliant at the lowest possible cost and on your own schedule, EasyTax is built for you.
How to switch from TaxScouts
- 1
Download your previous returns from TaxScouts
Log in to TaxScouts and download PDFs of your previous Self Assessment submissions for your records. HMRC also holds copies in your Government Gateway account.
- 2
Create your EasyTax account
Sign up with Google or email in under 60 seconds — no card required.
- 3
Connect your bank (Open Banking)
From the dashboard, go to Bank → Connect a bank. Pick your UK bank, authorise via Open Banking, and your transactions auto-import. EasyTax uses Claude AI to categorise them against HMRC allowable expenses — no manual spreadsheets.
- 4
Connect to HMRC
Authorise EasyTax with your HMRC Government Gateway credentials. We use the official OAuth flow — we never store your HMRC password.
- 5
File your first quarterly MTD update or Self Assessment
EasyTax submits directly to HMRC via the official MTD ITSA and Self Assessment APIs. You get a confirmation receipt instantly — no waiting for an accountant to review and submit.
FAQ
How much does EasyTax cost?+
EasyTax charges £20 + VAT (£24 inc. VAT) per HMRC submission — no monthly subscription, no annual fee. You only pay when you actually file. Users who sign up during the current early-access period lock in this founder price for life.
Does EasyTax replace a human accountant?+
No — EasyTax is self-serve software, not an accountancy service. If your tax situation is straightforward (sole trader or landlord income, standard allowances), EasyTax handles it. If you have complex mixed income, significant capital gains, or want human oversight, you may prefer TaxScouts or a traditional accountant. Both can co-exist: some EasyTax users keep an accountant for advice but file directly.
Can EasyTax handle MTD ITSA quarterly updates as well as annual Self Assessment?+
Yes — MTD ITSA quarterly updates are at the core of what EasyTax is built for. You submit four quarterly updates to HMRC each tax year, then a final declaration. EasyTax manages the full cycle. TaxScouts currently focuses on the annual Self Assessment return.
What if HMRC has a question about my filing?+
EasyTax gives you a submission receipt and a full audit trail of what was sent to HMRC. If HMRC contacts you, EasyTax's support team can help you understand the query. We do not provide tax advice, but we can help with the technical filing side.
Can EasyTax handle VAT and Corporation Tax as well as Self Assessment?+
Yes — EasyTax files MTD VAT returns, CT600 Corporation Tax, and Self Assessment (SA100 with SA103 and SA105 supplementary pages) directly to HMRC. It also supports P&L and Balance Sheet for limited companies.
What about MTD ITSA — when does it apply to me?+
From 6 April 2026 if your total self-employment + property income exceeds £50,000. From 6 April 2027 if it exceeds £30,000. EasyTax is built on the HMRC MTD API for MTD ITSA quarterly updates and the final declaration.
Which UK banks does Open Banking auto-import support?+
Every major UK retail and business bank: Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, Santander, Nationwide, Monzo, Starling, Revolut, Tide, Mettle and most others. Read-only access only — EasyTax can never move money.
MTD ITSA is quarterly now — file yourself, instantly.
EasyTax does it for £24 a filing.
No card required. Set up in under 5 minutes.