Starling
Full cloud accounting · by Starling Bank · HMRC-recognised
Free MTD for Income Tax filing built into Starling business accounts. Categorise transactions as they happen and submit quarterly updates to HMRC without leaving your banking app.
Our verdict
Starling folds free MTD for Income Tax filing into its business accounts as part of its Accounting proposition — if you already bank with Starling, you can categorise income and expenses as they land and submit to HMRC without third-party software. It's only relevant to Starling customers, and VAT filing needs the paid Accounting Plus tier, but for the self-employed and landlords banking with Starling, the Income Tax side is genuinely free.
At a glance
- Self-employment
- Yes
- Property / rent
- Yes
- Keeps your spreadsheet
- No
- Accountant access
- No
- Price verified
- 2026-07-01
- HMRC status
- Recognised
Plans & true annual cost
| Plan | Self-emp. | Property | Per year (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
Accounting Essentials Free MTD for Income Tax filing built into Starling business accounts (Accounting Essentials). A paid Accounting Plus tier (£7/mo) adds VAT filing. Covers self-employment and UK property. | ✓ | ✓ | £0 |
Can be free: Free with your Starling business account.
Pros & cons
What's good
- Free MTD for Income Tax for Starling business customers
- Filing built into the bank — no separate login
- Real-time categorisation and tax picture
- Covers self-employment and UK property income
What's not
- Only available if you bank with Starling
- VAT filing needs the paid Accounting Plus tier
- No foreign-property support
Who it's for
- Starling business customers
- Sole traders and landlords who want filing inside their bank
Frequently asked questions
- Is Starling's MTD tool free?
- Yes — MTD for Income Tax filing is free with a Starling business account (Accounting Essentials). VAT filing is a paid add-on.
- Can I use it without a Starling account?
- No — it's built into Starling business accounts.
- Does it cover landlords?
- Yes — self-employment and UK property income.
- Is it HMRC-recognised?
- Yes, for MTD for Income Tax.
Pricing for Starling was last verified on 1 July 2026 against the vendor's page; the catalogue was reconciled 1 July 2026. Its cheapest plan's true annual cost is free. Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.