Affordable MTD review
Bridging (keep your spreadsheet) · by Nesbitt Web Ltd · HMRC-recognised
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.
Our verdict
Affordable MTD is what the name says: a very cheap bridging tool that does one job. You type your figures in or import a spreadsheet, AI sorts transactions into HMRC's categories for you to review, and it files your quarterly updates, annual adjustments and final declaration for self-employment and UK property income. There are no bank feeds, invoicing or accountant access, and you keep your own records. It's free until 6 April 2027, which helps if you're already in MTD but not if you join that month. If you want to pay as little as possible and don't mind the bare-bones approach, the price is hard to argue with, though a few bridging tools here are free with no end date.
At a glance
- Self-employment
- Yes
- Property / rent
- Yes
- Keeps your spreadsheet
- Yes
- Accountant access
- No
- Price verified
- 2026-11-06
- HMRC status
- Recognised
Plans & true annual cost
| Plan | Self-emp. | Property | Per year (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual plan One flat annual price with no tiers or per-submission fees: quarterly updates, annual adjustments and the final declaration for self-employment and UK property. The vendor isn't VAT-registered, so no VAT is added at the moment. Free until 6 April 2027. | ✓ | ✓ | £19.99/yr |
Offer: Free until 6 April 2027, then the annual price. If you join MTD in April 2027, you'll pay from the start.
Pros & cons
What's good
- One of the lowest prices of any paid tool here, with no tiers or per-submission fees
- Files the full cycle: quarterly updates, annual adjustments and the final declaration
- Covers self-employment and UK property income in one place
- Type figures in or import a CSV or Excel file, with AI categorisation you review before submitting
What's not
- No bank feeds, invoicing, VAT returns or payroll — you keep your own records
- No foreign-property support yet (the vendor says it's on the roadmap)
- No accountant access yet — the practice version is still at the register-interest stage
- Its terms say your card is charged automatically when the free period ends unless you cancel
- Smaller vendor than the big accounting names
Who it's for
- People who keep their own digital records and want a very low price
- Sole traders and landlords who just need to file
…and who should look elsewhere
- People who want bookkeeping, bank feeds or invoicing
- Anyone who wants their accountant to file through agent access
- Landlords with foreign property income
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the free period helps if you join MTD in April 2027 — it ends just as you start
- Not checking the billing terms before signing up — see the card question below
- Treating it as record keeping — it files what you type or import, so your digital records still need to live somewhere
Frequently asked questions
- Is Affordable MTD really free?
- It's free until 6 April 2027, then a flat annual fee — see the true annual cost above. If you join MTD in April 2027, you'll pay from the start.
- Do I need to give card details?
- Check when you sign up. Its terms, last updated in July 2026, say card details are taken at sign-up and charged automatically when the free period ends unless you cancel, with a reminder email first. An older help page says no card is required.
- Is Affordable MTD HMRC-recognised?
- Yes — HMRC's finder lists it for quarterly updates and the tax return, for sole-trader and UK property income. We took it off this site in June 2026 because it wasn't on the finder then, and put it back in November 2026 once it was.
- Does it file the final declaration?
- Yes. You can make annual adjustments and submit the final declaration from inside it. Other income, such as a salary or dividends, has to be reported through your HMRC online account first.
- Can I keep using my spreadsheet?
- Yes — you keep your records however you like, then type in your totals or import a CSV or Excel file when it's time to file.
- Can my accountant use it for me?
- Not yet. A version for accountants is advertised, but it's still at the register-interest stage.
- Is VAT added to the price?
- Not at the moment, as the vendor isn't VAT-registered. Its terms say VAT would be added if that changes.
Alternatives to consider
Free bridging with no paid plan advertised, and HMRC lists it for foreign property too.
Similar low-cost bridging with agent access, and HMRC lists it for foreign property too.
A free plan from an established provider, if you'd rather keep your records in the app.
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Pricing for Affordable MTD was last verified on 6 November 2026 against the vendor's page; the catalogue was reconciled 26 October 2026. Its cheapest plan's true annual cost is £19.99/year. Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.