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: free options still exist.

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

After this date, you'll need third-party software to submit your CT600.

Free Alternatives Available

TinyTax (Recommended)

Free for micro-entities - the majority of small companies.

Feature	Included Free
CT600 filing	✅
iXBRL accounts	✅
HMRC submission	✅
Companies House submission	✅
Period splitting	✅
Prior year fetch	✅

Who qualifies: Any company meeting at least 2 of these 3 criteria:

• Turnover ≤ £1,000,000
• Balance sheet ≤ £500,000
• Employees ≤ 10

Most companies using HMRC's free service will qualify.

Other Options

Provider	Price	Notes
TinyTax	Free (micro)	Best free 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. Actually Free (Not Just Cheap)

TinyTax is genuinely free for micro-entities:

• No hidden fees
• No credit card required
• No upgrade pressure
• Not a limited trial

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

TinyTax is designed for exactly this situation.

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

1. Check if you're a micro-entity

- Turnover under £1m? - Balance sheet under £500k? - Fewer than 10 employees?

1. Create your TinyTax account

- Free signup - No credit card needed - Add your company

1. Prepare your information

- TinyTax can fetch prior year data from HMRC - Or enter manually

1. File your next return with TinyTax

- Follow the guided process - Submit when ready

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

This is actually an upgrade from what you have now.

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

For accounting periods ending after March 2026, you'll definitely need alternative software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will HMRC filing really be free with TinyTax?

Yes, for micro-entities. TinyTax is genuinely free with no trial period, no feature limits, and no credit card required.

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 companies are free too. 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.

Don't Pay for What You Had Free

HMRC closing its free service doesn't mean you have to start paying. For most companies:

• You were filing free with HMRC
• You can continue filing free with TinyTax
• Plus you get integrated accounts filing

Start Your Free Filing

Join thousands of companies who've already switched to TinyTax.

Try TinyTax Free →

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Information based on HMRC announcements. Check GOV.UK for latest official guidance on service closure dates.