HMRC Free Filing Alternative: Best Options After March 2026
HMRC's free online CT600 filing service is closing on 31 March 2026. If you've been using it to file your Corporation Tax returns for free, you need to find an alternative.
Good news: affordable alternatives exist — from just £20/year.
What's Happening to HMRC's CT600 Service?
HMRC is closing its free online Corporation Tax filing service:
- Closure date: 31 March 2026
- Reason: Moving to software-only filing
- Impact: ~300,000 companies who file directly with HMRC
Affordable Alternatives Available
TinyTax (Recommended)
From £20/year — a fraction of traditional software costs. See current pricing.
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| CT600 filing | ✅ |
| iXBRL accounts | ✅ |
| HMRC submission | ✅ |
| Companies House submission | ✅ |
| Period splitting | ✅ |
| Prior year fetch | ✅ |
- Dormant companies: £20/year
- Solo Plan: affordable annual plan for one trading company
- Portfolio: available for multiple companies
- See current pricing →
Other Options
| Provider | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TinyTax | From £20/year | Best value option |
| 123 Filings | From ~£30 | Budget alternative |
| Easy Digital Filing | From ~£35 | Per-filing pricing |
| TaxCalc | Subscription | Full-featured |
Why TinyTax Is the Best HMRC Alternative
1. Affordable Flat-Rate Pricing
TinyTax is designed for budget-conscious businesses:
- Simple annual pricing (from £20/year) — see pricing
- No per-filing charges
- No hidden fees
- Everything included in one price
2. Same Direct Submission
Like HMRC's service, TinyTax submits directly:
- Instant HMRC Gateway submission
- Direct Companies House filing
- Immediate confirmation
- No intermediaries
3. Similar Simplicity
HMRC's service was popular because it was straightforward. TinyTax maintains that approach:
- Plain English throughout
- Step-by-step guidance
- No accounting jargon
- Designed for directors, not accountants
4. Actually Better in Many Ways
TinyTax improves on HMRC's service:
| Feature | HMRC Service | TinyTax |
|---|---|---|
| CT600 filing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Company accounts | ❌ | ✅ |
| Real-time calculation | Basic | Advanced |
| Prior year fetch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Error prevention | Basic | Comprehensive |
What You're Already Using
If you currently use HMRC's free CT600 service, you probably:
- File once a year
- Have a micro-entity or small company
- Do it yourself (no accountant)
- Appreciate not paying for software
Making the Switch
Before the Deadline
Don't wait until March 2026. Switch early to:
- Learn the new system without time pressure
- Ensure everything works for your company
- Get help if you need it
Step-by-Step Guide
- Check if you're a micro-entity
- Create your TinyTax account
- Prepare your information
- File your next return with TinyTax
What About Companies House?
HMRC's service only filed CT600 (tax return). You still had to file accounts separately with Companies House.
TinyTax handles both:
- CT600 to HMRC
- Accounts to Companies House
- All in one process
- Figures automatically match
Timeline Reminder
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Now - March 2026 | HMRC service still available |
| 31 March 2026 | HMRC service closes |
| 1 April 2026 onwards | Software-only filing required |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does TinyTax cost?
TinyTax starts from £20/year for dormant companies, with affordable plans for trading companies too. All plans include unlimited filings — CT600, accounts, and Companies House. No per-filing charges. See current pricing.
What if I'm not a micro-entity?
TinyTax offers competitive pricing for small companies (from £49 + VAT). Still much less than many alternatives.
Is my data safe?
TinyTax uses bank-level security and submits through HMRC's official Gateway. Your data is encrypted and secure.
What about dormant companies?
Dormant filing included. TinyTax handles dormant CT600s and Companies House dormant accounts.
Do I need to do anything now?
No immediate action required, but we recommend trying TinyTax before your next filing deadline to familiarise yourself.
Affordable Filing Without the Accountant Bill
HMRC closing its free service doesn't mean expensive software. For most companies:
- TinyTax starts from just £20/year
- That's a fraction of traditional CT600 software (£100-200+)
- Plus you get integrated accounts filing included
- See current pricing
Start Filing Today
Join thousands of companies who've already switched to TinyTax.
Try TinyTax — from £20/year →
Information based on HMRC announcements. Check GOV.UK for latest official guidance on service closure dates.