The Cheapest Way to File Your CT600 in the UK (2026)

Every limited company in the UK must file a CT600 (company tax return) with HMRC. But how much should it actually cost? The answer ranges from £0 to over £1,000 — depending on how you file.

Here's a breakdown of every option available in 2026, ranked from most expensive to cheapest.

Option 1: Hire an Accountant (£300–£1,000+)

The traditional route. You hand everything to an accountant and they prepare your accounts, compute your corporation tax, and file your CT600.

Typical cost: £300–£600 for a straightforward micro-entity. £800–£1,000+ if you have complex affairs, multiple revenue streams, or need advisory work.

Pros:

Expert handles everything
Advice on tax planning and allowances
Peace of mind if your affairs are complex

Cons:

Most expensive option by far
You still need to provide all the figures
Overkill for simple companies with straightforward accounts

Best for: Companies with complex affairs, multiple directors, R&D claims, or significant turnover.

Option 2: Taxfiler (~£180+/year)

Taxfiler is a well-established cloud platform used by many accountants and some business owners. It handles CT600 filing, accounts preparation, and Self Assessment.

Typical cost: ~£180 + VAT per year for a single-company business licence.

Pros:

Comprehensive feature set (CT600, SA100, VAT)
Supports FRS 102 and FRS 105 accounts
Used by many professional accountants

Cons:

Annual subscription (you pay every year whether or not you file)
Steeper learning curve for non-accountants
More features than most small companies need

Best for: Accountants or power users who need a full accounting and tax suite.

Option 3: EasyDigitalFiling (~£80–£100)

EasyDigitalFiling offers CT600 filing for individual companies at a lower price point than Taxfiler.

Typical cost: ~£80–£100 per filing.

Pros:

Lower cost than Taxfiler
Handles CT600 submission to HMRC

Cons:

Less established than some alternatives
Feature set varies — check what's included for your company type

Best for: Companies looking for a mid-range DIY option.

Option 4: Taxpipe (£59 One-Time) ✅

Taxpipe is a focused CT600 filing tool designed specifically for small limited company directors who want to file themselves.

Typical cost: £59 including VAT. One-time payment per filing. No subscription.

Pros:

Cheapest dedicated CT600 software available
No subscription — pay only when you file
Guided, step-by-step process (no accounting knowledge needed)
Auto-generates iXBRL accounts and corporation tax computation
Files directly to HMRC
Works for active, dormant, and nil-return companies

Cons:

CT600 only (no SA100 or VAT)
Designed for micro-entities (FRS 105) — not suitable for complex FRS 102 accounts

Best for: Micro-entity directors who want the cheapest reliable way to file their CT600.

Option 5: HMRC Free Filing (Closing Down)

HMRC used to offer a free online CT600 filing service. However, HMRC has announced that their free filing software is being phased out. The service is becoming increasingly limited, and many companies are already being directed to use commercial software.

Typical cost: Free (while it lasts).

Pros:

No cost
Direct from HMRC

Cons:

Being discontinued — unreliable going forward
No iXBRL accounts generation (you'd need to create these separately)
Clunky, outdated interface
No guided help or error checking
No support if you get stuck

Best for: Only worth considering if you already know how to prepare iXBRL accounts independently and the service is still available for your company.

Cost Comparison Summary

Method	Cost	Recurring?	Skill Level Needed
Accountant	£300–£1,000+	Annual	None (they do it)
Taxfiler	~£180+/yr	Annual subscription	Moderate
EasyDigitalFiling	~£80–£100	Per filing	Moderate
Taxpipe	£59	Per filing (no sub)	Beginner
HMRC Free	£0	N/A	Advanced

So What's Actually the Cheapest?

If you want free, HMRC's own service is technically cheapest — but it's being discontinued and requires you to generate your own iXBRL accounts, which is a significant technical hurdle.

For a realistic, reliable option that anyone can use, Taxpipe at £59 is the cheapest dedicated CT600 filing software in the UK. No subscription means you're not paying during months you're not filing, and the guided interface means you don't need to understand accounting jargon.

When Cheap Isn't the Right Choice

To be clear: the cheapest option isn't always the best option. If your company has complex affairs — multiple directors, overseas income, R&D claims, intercompany transactions — you should seriously consider an accountant. The money you spend on professional advice can save you far more in correctly claimed reliefs and avoided penalties.

But if you're a straightforward micro-entity limited company? You probably don't need to spend £300+ on an accountant or £180/year on software designed for accounting practices. If you want to understand exactly what goes into a CT600, our box-by-box guide breaks down every field.

File your CT600 for just £59 with Taxpipe. Create your account → — no subscription, no jargon, no hassle.

The Cheapest Way to File Your CT600 in the UK (2026)