If you're running a UK limited company, you know you need to file a CT600 corporation tax return every year. The question isn't whether to file — it's how much it's going to cost you.
With HMRC's free filing service closing on 31 March 2026, every director now needs to either pay for software or hire an accountant. But prices vary wildly — from £59 to over £500 depending on which route you take.
This guide breaks down every option with real 2026 prices, so you can make an informed decision based on your company's needs and budget.
The Three Ways to File a CT600
There are three realistic options for filing your CT600 in 2026:
- CT600 software — you do it yourself using guided software
- An accountant — they do it for you
- DIY with HMRC — using HMRC's free service (ending March 2026)
Let's compare them in detail.
Option 1: CT600 Filing Software
What It Is
Software that guides you through completing your CT600, generates the required iXBRL accounts, and submits everything to HMRC electronically. You enter your financial figures, the software does the calculations and formatting.
Who It's For
- Directors of simple companies (contractors, freelancers, small businesses)
- Companies with straightforward income and expenses
- Directors who are comfortable working with their own financial numbers
- Anyone who wants to save money without giving up accuracy
2026 Pricing Comparison
| Software | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Taxpipe | £59 | CT600 + iXBRL accounts + HMRC submission |
| EasyDigitalFiling | £82.50+ | CT600 filing, iXBRL accounts extra |
| Andica CT600 | £99+ | CT600 software, annual licence |
| TaxCalc | £147+ | CT600 + accounts, aimed at accountants |
| Xero + TaxCalc integration | £180+ | Requires Xero subscription + filing add-on |
| GoSimpleTax (Corporation Tax) | £119+ | CT600 filing with accounts |
Prices sourced from provider websites as of February 2026. Prices may vary based on company complexity and additional features.
Why Taxpipe Is the Most Affordable
At £59 per filing, Taxpipe is the lowest-cost HMRC-recognised CT600 filing option in the UK. Here's what's included in that price:
- ✅ Complete CT600 form preparation
- ✅ iXBRL-tagged accounts (generated automatically)
- ✅ Direct HMRC submission via secure API
- ✅ Real-time error checking and validation
- ✅ Step-by-step guided process
- ✅ Email support
- ✅ HMRC acknowledgement and confirmation
No subscription. No annual licence. Pay per filing. You only pay when you actually file.
What Software Can't Do
Be honest about limitations:
- Complex group structures — if your company is part of a group with intercompany transactions
- R&D tax credit claims — specialist knowledge usually needed
- International operations — transfer pricing and overseas income
- Capital gains on complex assets — property, shares in other companies
For these situations, an accountant adds genuine value. For a standard small company with UK trading income? Software is more than sufficient.
Option 2: Hiring an Accountant
What It Is
You hand over your financial records to a qualified accountant. They prepare your annual accounts, complete the CT600, generate iXBRL accounts, and file everything with HMRC on your behalf.
Who It's For
- Companies with complex tax situations
- Directors who don't want to be involved in the filing process
- Companies with R&D claims, group structures, or overseas income
- Directors who value advisory services beyond just filing
2026 Pricing: What Accountants Actually Charge
Accountant fees for CT600 filing vary enormously depending on location, firm size, and company complexity.
Small/Solo Accountant
| Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| CT600 + accounts preparation | £200 – £350 |
| Bookkeeping (annual) | £500 – £1,500 |
| Payroll (annual) | £150 – £300 |
| VAT returns (annual) | £200 – £400 |
| Total annual package | £800 – £2,500 |
Mid-Size Accountancy Firm
| Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| CT600 + accounts preparation | £350 – £500 |
| Bookkeeping (annual) | £1,000 – £3,000 |
| Payroll (annual) | £200 – £500 |
| VAT returns (annual) | £300 – £600 |
| Total annual package | £1,500 – £4,500 |
Big 4 / Large Firm (for SMEs who use them)
| Service | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| CT600 + accounts preparation | £500 – £1,500+ |
| Annual compliance package | £3,000 – £10,000+ |
The Real Cost of an Accountant
When comparing accountant fees to software, directors often look only at the CT600 filing fee. But there are hidden costs:
Time costs:
- Gathering and sending documents to your accountant: 2-5 hours
- Answering follow-up questions: 1-3 hours
- Reviewing draft accounts: 1-2 hours
- Chasing for completion near deadline: priceless (stressful)
Turnaround time:
- Most accountants take 2-6 weeks to prepare a CT600
- Busy season (January-March) can stretch to 8+ weeks
- Last-minute requests may incur rush fees (25-50% extra)
What you're actually paying for:
- For a simple company, much of the accountant's fee covers data entry — putting your numbers into their software
- The actual tax expertise applied to a straightforward CT600 is minimal
- You're paying for their professional indemnity insurance and regulatory compliance
When an Accountant Is Worth It
An accountant provides genuine value when:
- Your company has turnover over £500,000 with complex cost structures
- You're making R&D tax credit claims (can recover 20%+ of qualifying expenditure)
- Your company has overseas transactions or international employees
- You have capital gains on property or significant assets
- You're part of a group with intercompany transactions
- You need strategic tax planning advice (dividend timing, salary optimisation, etc.)
For a company director with sub-£200k turnover, straightforward expenses, and no special claims? An accountant is usually overkill.
What to Watch Out For
- Fixed fee vs hourly rate: Always agree a fixed fee upfront. Hourly rates can spiral
- Scope creep: Ensure the fee covers CT600 + accounts + HMRC submission. Some quote only for accounts preparation
- Annual increases: Many firms raise fees 5-10% annually
- Late filing responsibility: If your accountant files late, you (the company) pay the penalty — not them
Option 3: DIY with HMRC's Free Service
What It Is
HMRC has offered a free online CT600 filing service for years. You complete the form directly on HMRC's website and submit it.
The Critical Update: It's Closing
HMRC's free filing service closes permanently on 31 March 2026.
After that date, the free option no longer exists. Full details in our guide to the HMRC service closure.
What the Free Service Offered
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| CT600 form | Yes |
| iXBRL accounts | No — you had to create these separately |
| Guided walkthrough | Basic |
| Error checking | Minimal |
| Support | None |
The Hidden Cost of "Free"
Even when it was available, HMRC's free service had significant drawbacks:
- No iXBRL generation: You still needed separate software (£30-80+) to create your iXBRL accounts
- No validation: The service didn't check your figures for common errors
- No guidance: Minimal help text — you needed to know what each box meant
- Time-consuming: Without guidance, many directors spent 3-5 hours completing the form
- No support: If you got stuck, there was no help available
True cost of "free" HMRC filing:
- iXBRL software: £30-80
- Additional time: 3-5 hours
- Stress and uncertainty: significant
- Realistic total: £30-80 + 3-5 hours of your time
Compare that to Taxpipe at £59 with everything included and a 30-60 minute guided process. The "free" option was rarely cheaper once you factored in the full picture.
Head-to-Head Comparison: All Three Options
| Factor | Taxpipe (Software) | Accountant | HMRC Free (Ending) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £59 | £200 – £500+ | Free (+ £30-80 for iXBRL) |
| Time to complete | 30-60 minutes | 2-6 weeks | 3-5 hours |
| iXBRL included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Guided process | ✅ Step-by-step | ✅ Handled for you | ❌ Minimal |
| Error checking | ✅ Real-time | ✅ Professional review | ❌ Basic |
| Tax advice | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Available after Mar 2026 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Control | Full | Limited | Full |
| Best for | Simple companies | Complex companies | Nobody (closing) |
Cost Per Year: Real Scenarios
Let's look at what different types of companies actually pay annually:
Scenario 1: Solo Contractor (IT, consulting, freelancing)
- Turnover: £80,000
- Simple expenses, no VAT, no employees beyond director
- Corporation tax: ~£9,500
| Method | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Taxpipe | £59 |
| Online accountant | £250 – £400 |
| High street accountant | £350 – £500 |
| Saving with Taxpipe | £191 – £441 per year |
Scenario 2: Small E-commerce Company
- Turnover: £150,000
- Stock/inventory, VAT registered, 1 employee
- Corporation tax: ~£22,000
| Method | Annual Cost (CT600 only) |
|---|---|
| Taxpipe | £59 |
| Accountant (CT600 + accounts) | £300 – £500 |
| Saving with Taxpipe | £241 – £441 per year |
Note: This company likely benefits from an accountant for VAT and payroll, but the CT600 itself can still be filed via software.
Scenario 3: Dormant Company
- No trading activity
- Need to file nil CT600 + dormant accounts
| Method | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Taxpipe | £59 |
| Accountant | £100 – £200 |
| Saving with Taxpipe | £41 – £141 per year |
Scenario 4: Company with R&D Claim
- Turnover: £200,000
- £50,000 in qualifying R&D expenditure
- Potential R&D tax credit: £10,000+
| Method | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Taxpipe (CT600 only) | £59 |
| Specialist R&D accountant | £1,000 – £3,000+ |
| Recommendation | Use an accountant — the R&D credit far exceeds the fee |
Five-Year Cost Comparison
For a typical small company filing once per year:
| Method | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxpipe (£59/yr) | £59 | £59 | £59 | £59 | £59 | £295 |
| Cheap accountant (£250/yr) | £250 | £263 | £276 | £290 | £304 | £1,383 |
| Mid-range accountant (£400/yr) | £400 | £420 | £441 | £463 | £486 | £2,210 |
Accountant fees assume 5% annual increase, which is typical.
Over 5 years, Taxpipe saves you £1,088 – £1,915 compared to an accountant — for the exact same filing outcome.
What About "Cheap" Accountants?
You might find accountants advertising CT600 filing from £99 or even £49. Be careful:
What the Low Price Usually Means
- Loss leader: They're hoping to upsell you on bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory services
- Limited scope: The price covers accounts preparation only — CT600 filing and HMRC submission are extra
- Offshore processing: Some budget firms outsource to overseas teams, which can cause communication delays
- Inexperienced staff: Junior staff or trainees may handle your return, with minimal senior review
Questions to Ask a Budget Accountant
Before committing to a low-cost accountant, ask:
- Does the price include CT600 filing with HMRC, or just accounts preparation?
- Does it include iXBRL tagging and submission?
- What's the turnaround time?
- Who will actually prepare my accounts? (Named person, their qualifications)
- Is the fee fixed, or could it increase for any reason?
- What happens if HMRC has queries — is support included?
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
When comparing CT600 filing costs, don't forget:
Your Time Has Value
If you earn £50,000 per year as a director, your time is worth roughly £25 per hour.
| Method | Hours spent by you | Time cost |
|---|---|---|
| Taxpipe | 1 hour | £25 |
| Accountant | 3-5 hours (gathering, reviewing, chasing) | £75-125 |
| HMRC free (was) | 4-6 hours | £100-150 |
The cheapest option in pure filing cost isn't necessarily the cheapest overall.
Opportunity Cost
Every hour you spend on tax admin is an hour not spent on:
- Winning new clients
- Delivering projects
- Growing your business
- Taking a break (you're a director, you need those)
Stress and Worry
This is hard to quantify but real. Filing a CT600 for the first time with no guidance is stressful. Getting it wrong can mean penalties, HMRC enquiries, and months of anxiety.
Taxpipe's guided process and real-time validation eliminates most of this stress. You know you've done it right before you submit.
Can You Deduct CT600 Filing Costs?
Yes! Whether you use Taxpipe or an accountant, the cost is an allowable business expense for corporation tax purposes. This means:
- Taxpipe fee of £59: Deductible. Reduces your taxable profit by £59. At 19% tax rate, the effective cost is £47.79.
- Accountant fee of £400: Deductible. Reduces taxable profit by £400. At 19% tax rate, effective cost is £324.
Even after tax relief, Taxpipe is still dramatically cheaper.
When to Choose Software vs an Accountant
Choose Software (Taxpipe) If:
- ✅ Your company has straightforward trading income
- ✅ You don't have R&D claims or complex reliefs
- ✅ You keep your own books (or use Xero/QuickBooks/FreeAgent)
- ✅ You're comfortable working with your own financial numbers
- ✅ You want to save £200-400+ per year
- ✅ You want your filing done in an hour, not weeks
Choose an Accountant If:
- ✅ Your company has complex tax affairs (R&D, overseas, groups)
- ✅ You genuinely don't have time to spend 30-60 minutes on filing
- ✅ You need strategic tax planning advice
- ✅ You want someone else to be responsible (though legally, you still are)
- ✅ You're VAT registered and want bundled services
The Hybrid Approach
Many directors use the best of both worlds:
- File the CT600 yourself with Taxpipe (£59)
- Consult an accountant once per year for strategic advice (£100-200 for a one-off consultation)
- Total: £159-259 — less than most annual accountancy packages, with better expertise when it matters
Use the Calculator Before You Decide
Not sure what your company owes in corporation tax? Our free CT600 calculator gives you an instant estimate. It helps you understand whether your tax situation is straightforward (perfect for Taxpipe) or complex (might need an accountant).
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to file a CT600 in 2026?
Taxpipe at £59 is the cheapest HMRC-recognised CT600 filing option in the UK. This includes the CT600 form, iXBRL-tagged accounts, and direct HMRC submission. HMRC's free service closes on 31 March 2026.
How much do accountants charge for a CT600?
Accountants typically charge £200-£500 for CT600 preparation and filing for a small limited company. This can be higher for complex companies or those in London. Budget online accountants may offer from £99-£150, but check what's included.
Is Taxpipe cheaper than an accountant?
Yes. Taxpipe costs £59 per filing compared to £200-500+ for an accountant. Over 5 years, you'd save approximately £1,000-£2,000 using Taxpipe instead of an accountant, for the same filing outcome.
Can I file a CT600 myself without an accountant?
Absolutely. There's no legal requirement to use an accountant. Software like Taxpipe guides you through the entire process step by step. Thousands of directors file their own CT600 every year.
What's included in Taxpipe's £59 price?
The £59 covers everything you need: CT600 form preparation, iXBRL-tagged annual accounts, direct HMRC submission, real-time error checking, and email support. No subscription, no hidden fees.
Do I still need iXBRL accounts if I use an accountant?
Yes, but your accountant handles this as part of their service. If you use Taxpipe, iXBRL accounts are generated automatically — it's included in the £59 price.
Can I switch from an accountant to Taxpipe mid-year?
Yes. You can switch at any time. If your accountant has already prepared your accounts for the current period, you can use those figures in Taxpipe to file the CT600. For future periods, you can handle everything through Taxpipe from the start.
Is the CT600 filing fee tax-deductible?
Yes. Both software fees (like Taxpipe's £59) and accountant fees are allowable business expenses for corporation tax purposes. They reduce your taxable profit.
What if I make a mistake on my CT600?
If you discover an error after filing, you can amend your CT600 within 12 months of the original filing deadline. Taxpipe's real-time validation catches most common errors before submission.
The Bottom Line
For most small UK limited companies in 2026, the maths is simple:
| Option | Cost | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxpipe | £59 | 30-60 min | CT600 filed correctly |
| Accountant | £200-500+ | 2-6 weeks | CT600 filed correctly |
| HMRC free | Gone after March 2026 | N/A | N/A |
Same outcome. Fraction of the cost. Fraction of the time.
The only question is whether your company's situation is complex enough to justify paying 4-8x more for an accountant. For most directors, the answer is no.
Save hundreds. File in under an hour. Get it right first time.
File your CT600 for £59 with Taxpipe →