TinyTax vs TaxCalc: Which CT600 Software Is Better?
Choosing CT600 software? TaxCalc is the established market leader, used by 30,000+ accountancy practices. TinyTax is a newer, simpler alternative at roughly half the price. This comparison helps you decide which is right for your company or practice.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TinyTax | TaxCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Micro-entities and small practices | Accountants and complex returns |
| Starting price | £20/year (dormant) | £224/year (CT600 only) |
| CT600 filing | Included | Separate product |
| iXBRL accounts | Included | Separate product |
| Companies House filing | Included | Included with Accounts Production |
| Target user | Business owners and small practices | Medium to large practices |
| Platform | Web-based (no install) | Desktop + cloud |
Practice Pricing: Side-by-Side
TaxCalc sells CT600 and Accounts Production as separate products. A practice needs both to match what TinyTax includes in one plan. TaxCalc also charges £163/year per additional concurrent user beyond 2.
| Practice size | TinyTax (CT600 + Accounts) | TaxCalc CT600 | TaxCalc Accounts | TaxCalc combined | You save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 | £99/year | £224 | £156 | £380 | 74% |
| Up to 12 | £189/year | £224 | £156 | £380 | 50% |
| Up to 50 | £319/year | £291 | £350 | £641 | 50% |
| Up to 150 | £549/year | £361 | £744 | £1,105 | 50% |
| Up to 250 | £649/year | £429 | £885 | £1,314 | 51% |
| Up to 500 | £799/year | £689 | £919 | £1,608 | 50% |
| Up to 1000 | £999/year | £965 | £1,050 | £2,015 | 50% |
Key difference: TinyTax includes CT600, iXBRL accounts, and Companies House filing in one plan. TaxCalc requires separate purchases for CT600 and Accounts Production.
What About Team Members?
TinyTax includes unlimited team members at no extra cost on all Portfolio plans. TaxCalc charges £163/year per additional concurrent user beyond the 2 included with most plans. A 5-person practice on TaxCalc pays an extra £489/year just for user access.
Solo Director Pricing
If you're filing for one company, the comparison is even simpler:
| TinyTax | TaxCalc | |
|---|---|---|
| Dormant company | £20/year | £380/year (CT600 12 + Accounts 12) |
| Trading company | From £59/year | £380/year |
TinyTax Overview
TinyTax is a modern, web-based platform designed for UK micro-entity companies and small accountancy practices.
Strengths
- All-in-one pricing — CT600, accounts, and Companies House in one plan
- Simple interface — designed for non-accountants
- About half the price of TaxCalc at every practice size
- Unlimited team members — no per-user charges
- No installation — web-based, works anywhere
- Instant filing — submit directly to HMRC and Companies House
Limitations
- Focused on micro-entities (under £1m turnover)
- No R&D claims, group relief, or FRS 102 full accounts
- Newer platform (less established)
TaxCalc Overview
TaxCalc is the UK's most widely used practice tax software, with over 30,000 accountancy firms and 20+ years of history.
Strengths
- Comprehensive features — handles complex scenarios
- Full accounts range — micro to large companies, FRS 102
- Desktop and cloud options
- Established reputation — trusted by the profession
- R&D claims, group relief — handles complex tax situations
Limitations
- Higher cost — £380+/year for CT600 + Accounts combined
- Two separate products — CT600 and Accounts sold separately
- Per-user charges — £163/year per additional user
- Complex interface — designed for accountants, steep learning curve
Feature Comparison
CT600 Filing
| Feature | TinyTax | TaxCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Standard CT600 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended period splitting | ✓ | ✓ |
| HMRC submission | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amendment filing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marginal relief | ✓ | ✓ |
| R&D tax credits | ✗ | ✓ |
| Group relief | ✗ | ✓ |
Accounts Generation
| Feature | TinyTax | TaxCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-entity accounts (FRS 105) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Small company accounts (FRS 102 1A) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full FRS 102 accounts | ✗ | ✓ (add-on) |
| Companies House filing | ✓ (included) | ✓ (included) |
| iXBRL tagging | ✓ (included) | ✓ (included) |
Ease of Use
| Aspect | TinyTax | TaxCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Minutes | Longer |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium-High |
| Interface | Modern, simple | Feature-rich |
| Platform | Web (any device) | Desktop + cloud |
| Support | Phone/email |
Who Should Use TinyTax?
Choose TinyTax if:
- ✓ Your company is a micro-entity (under £1m turnover)
- ✓ You want to file your own returns
- ✓ You run a small practice filing for micro-entity clients
- ✓ You want one plan covering CT600 + accounts + Companies House
- ✓ You want unlimited team members at no extra cost
- ✓ You want to minimise costs without compromising on HMRC compliance
Who Should Use TaxCalc?
Choose TaxCalc if:
- ✓ Your clients exceed micro-entity thresholds
- ✓ You need full FRS 102 statutory accounts
- ✓ You claim R&D tax credits or group relief
- ✓ You have complex group structures
- ✓ You need comprehensive features over simplicity
Switching from TaxCalc to TinyTax
If you're currently using TaxCalc and want to switch:
- Check your client base — TinyTax works best for micro-entity clients
- Review your needs — Do you use TaxCalc's advanced features (R&D, FRS 102)?
- Try TinyTax for free — Prepare a return without subscribing to see the workflow
- File your next return — Start with one client to test the process
- Consider a hybrid approach — Use TinyTax for simple clients, keep TaxCalc for complex ones
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import TaxCalc data into TinyTax?
TinyTax doesn't have a direct TaxCalc import. It does read your prior year balance sheet from your last accounts on the Companies House register, so the comparative column is filled in for you; your profit and loss figures are entered fresh each year.
Is TinyTax HMRC-approved like TaxCalc?
Yes. Both TinyTax and TaxCalc are HMRC-recognised software for CT600 filing. They use the same Government Gateway submission system.
Can I use TinyTax if my accountant uses TaxCalc?
Yes. You can file your own CT600 with TinyTax regardless of what software your accountant uses.
Does TaxCalc include accounts filing in its CT600 price?
No. TaxCalc sells CT600 and Accounts Production as separate products. You need both to file CT600 and accounts — starting at £380/year combined for up to 12 clients. TinyTax includes both in one plan.
Which is better for dormant companies?
Both handle dormant companies. TinyTax offers dormant filing from £20/year. TaxCalc requires an active CT600 + Accounts subscription at £380+/year.
Summary
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are a micro-entity wanting simple, affordable filing | TinyTax |
| Run a small practice with micro-entity clients | TinyTax |
| Want one plan covering CT600 + accounts | TinyTax |
| Need R&D claims or group relief | TaxCalc |
| Need full FRS 102 statutory accounts | TaxCalc |
| Have complex group structures | TaxCalc |
Pricing and features shown are correct as of March 2026. We recommend verifying current pricing on TinyTax and TaxCalc's website.