Affordable MTD vs TaxCalc
Both are bridging tools for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
Affordable MTD is the cheaper starting point at from £19.99/yr (VAT included) versus from £134.40/yr for TaxCalc — but the cheapest plan only wins if it covers the income types you actually have.
| Affordable MTD | TaxCalc | |
|---|---|---|
| True annual cost from | from £19.99/yr | from £134.40/yr |
| Self-employment | Yes | Yes |
| Property / rent | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps your spreadsheet | Yes | Yes |
| Accountant access | No | Yes |
| Type | bridging | bridging |
| HMRC status | Recognised | Recognised |
| Price verified | 2026-11-06 | 2026-10-26 |
Affordable MTD
Bridging software that does one job: quarterly updates and the final declaration for self-employment and UK property, typed in or imported from a spreadsheet. Free until April 2027, then one of the lowest prices of any paid tool here.
- People who keep their own digital records and want a very low price
- Sole traders and landlords who just need to file
TaxCalc
A long-established self assessment tool with MTD bridging. Desktop-based, thorough, and trusted by people who already do their own returns.
- People who already file their own self assessment
- Those who prefer desktop software
Not sure either is right? Use the finder to get a recommendation ranked by what it will actually cost you.
Prices are each tool's cheapest plan, VAT included, last verified 6 November 2026 (catalogue reconciled 26 October 2026). Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.