Best CT600 Software for Limited Companies (2026 Comparison)
With HMRC's free CT600 filing service shutting down on 31 March 2026, every UK limited company now needs commercial software to file their corporation tax return.
But which software should you choose? The market ranges from £59 one-off payments to £500+ annual subscriptions. Some are simple CT600 filing tools; others are full accounting platforms that happen to include CT600 filing.
This guide compares the main options honestly, so you can pick the right tool for your company.
Why You Need CT600 Software Now
Until March 2026, you had a choice: file through HMRC's free portal or use commercial software. That choice is disappearing.
From April 2026, commercial software is mandatory for all CT600 filings. HMRC estimates this affects 200,000-400,000 companies who currently use the free service.
What you need from CT600 software:
- HMRC-recognised — listed on HMRC's approved software page
- Electronic submission — files directly to HMRC via their API
- iXBRL generation — produces tagged accounts in the required format
- Accurate calculations — computes corporation tax correctly, including marginal relief
- Reasonable pricing — proportionate to what you're actually doing
The 2026 CT600 Software Comparison
Taxpipe — £59 Per Filing
Best for: Company directors who want the simplest, most affordable CT600 filing.
Taxpipe was built specifically for company directors who need to file a CT600 without the overhead of full accounting software. You pay £59 per filing — no subscription, no annual fee, no commitment.
What you get:
- Guided CT600 filing workflow — answer questions, not fill in boxes
- Automatic corporation tax calculation including marginal relief
- iXBRL-tagged accounts generated automatically
- Direct HMRC submission with instant confirmation
- Dormant company shortcut (file in under 5 minutes)
- Corporation tax calculator for pre-filing estimates
Pros:
- ✅ Cheapest dedicated CT600 filing option at £59
- ✅ No subscription — pay only when you file
- ✅ Purpose-built for CT600 (not a bloated accounting platform)
- ✅ Clean, modern interface designed for non-accountants
- ✅ Dormant company express filing
- ✅ Calculates marginal relief automatically
Cons:
- ❌ CT600 filing only — not a full accounting package
- ❌ Newer platform (launched 2025)
- ❌ No VAT returns or payroll features
Verdict: If you just need to file your CT600 and nothing else, Taxpipe is the clear winner on price and simplicity. Try it here →
TaxCalc — £136.80/Year
Best for: Companies that want a traditional desktop-style tax application.
TaxCalc has been around for years and is a well-established name in UK tax software. Their corporation tax module handles CT600 filing along with personal tax returns.
What you get:
- CT600 filing with iXBRL accounts
- Personal tax returns (SA100)
- Partnership returns
- Desktop application with cloud backup
Pros:
- ✅ Established, well-known software
- ✅ Handles multiple tax return types
- ✅ Good for accountants managing multiple clients
Cons:
- ❌ £136.80/year subscription — whether you file or not
- ❌ More complex interface aimed at accountants
- ❌ Desktop application feels dated
- ❌ Overkill if you only need CT600
Verdict: Good if you're an accountant or need personal tax returns too. Expensive if you're a single-director company filing one CT600 per year.
Andica — £85+/Year
Best for: Companies comfortable with traditional, no-frills tax software.
Andica offers separate modules for different tax types. Their CT600 module handles corporation tax filing.
What you get:
- CT600 filing with HMRC submission
- iXBRL accounts
- Separate modules for payroll, P11D, etc.
Pros:
- ✅ Modular — buy only what you need
- ✅ Established provider
- ✅ Reasonable pricing for the market
Cons:
- ❌ Annual subscription required
- ❌ Interface is dated and not intuitive
- ❌ Steeper learning curve
- ❌ Windows-only for some modules
- ❌ Limited support for modern browsers
Verdict: Functional but feels like software from a different era. The annual subscription model means you're paying even in years you might not file.
GoSimpleTax — From £90
Best for: Individuals who also need personal tax filing.
GoSimpleTax started as self-assessment software and has expanded to include corporation tax.
What you get:
- CT600 filing
- Self-assessment (SA100)
- Tax tips and guidance within the software
Pros:
- ✅ Good guidance and tips throughout
- ✅ Also handles personal tax
- ✅ Web-based (no installation)
Cons:
- ❌ Corporation tax is an add-on, not the core product
- ❌ More expensive than dedicated CT600 tools
- ❌ Some features feel bolted on rather than native
Verdict: Decent if you need both personal and corporation tax. But if you only need CT600 filing, you're paying for features you won't use.
Xero — From £15/Month (£180/Year)
Best for: Companies that want full cloud accounting with CT600 filing included.
Xero is a full accounting platform — bookkeeping, invoicing, bank feeds, payroll, and yes, CT600 filing.
What you get:
- Full double-entry bookkeeping
- Bank reconciliation
- Invoicing and payments
- CT600 filing (via integration with TaxCalc or direct)
- Payroll, VAT returns, and more
Pros:
- ✅ Complete accounting solution
- ✅ Excellent bank feeds and reconciliation
- ✅ Large ecosystem of add-ons
- ✅ Great for growing businesses
Cons:
- ❌ £180-480/year depending on plan
- ❌ Massive overkill if you just need CT600 filing
- ❌ Requires bookkeeping knowledge or an accountant
- ❌ CT600 filing may require additional setup or integration
- ❌ Learning curve is significant
Verdict: If you're already using Xero for your day-to-day accounting, filing CT600 through it makes sense. But don't adopt Xero just for CT600 filing — that's like buying a lorry to carry a shopping bag.
FreeAgent — From £14.50/Month (£174/Year)
Best for: Freelancers and contractors who want accounting + tax in one place.
FreeAgent is similar to Xero but positioned more towards freelancers and small companies. It includes CT600 filing.
What you get:
- Full accounting and bookkeeping
- Automated bank feeds
- Self-assessment and CT600 filing
- Built-in corporation tax estimation
Pros:
- ✅ Clean, user-friendly interface
- ✅ Good for contractor companies
- ✅ Includes CT600 as part of the package
- ✅ Free with NatWest/RBS business banking
Cons:
- ❌ £174+/year if you don't have qualifying bank account
- ❌ Overkill for CT600-only filing
- ❌ Some limitations with complex company structures
- ❌ iXBRL accounts generation can be finicky
Verdict: If you bank with NatWest/RBS and get it free, it's a no-brainer. Otherwise, you're paying a lot for accounting features you might not need.
Using an Accountant — £300-800+
Best for: Companies with complex affairs or directors who want zero involvement.
You can always pay an accountant to handle your CT600 filing. They'll use professional software (Sage, CCH, TaxCalc Pro) and manage everything.
Pros:
- ✅ Zero effort from you
- ✅ Professional review of your tax position
- ✅ Tax planning advice included (usually)
- ✅ Essential for complex situations
Cons:
- ❌ £300-800+ per year — often much more
- ❌ You're still responsible for providing the figures
- ❌ Turnaround can be slow during busy periods
- ❌ Massive overkill for simple companies
Verdict: Worth it if your company has complex affairs (multiple shareholders, overseas income, R&D claims). Expensive overkill for a standard single-director company.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Taxpipe | TaxCalc | Andica | GoSimpleTax | Xero | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £59 one-off | £136.80/yr | £85+/yr | £90+ | £180+/yr | £174+/yr |
| CT600 filing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| iXBRL accounts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto tax calc | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Marginal relief | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| No subscription | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dormant shortcut | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Full accounting | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Personal tax | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Web-based | ✅ | Hybrid | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
How to Choose: Decision Framework
Answer these questions to find your best option:
"I just need to file my CT600. Nothing else."
→ Taxpipe (£59, purpose-built, simplest option)
"My company is dormant and I just need to stay compliant."
→ Taxpipe (dormant shortcut feature, file in under 5 minutes)
"I need full bookkeeping AND CT600 filing."
→ Xero or FreeAgent (if you need day-to-day accounting)
"I'm an accountant filing for multiple clients."
→ TaxCalc (multi-client management, professional features)
"My company has complex affairs — overseas income, R&D, multiple shareholders."
→ Hire an accountant (you need professional advice, not just software)
"I bank with NatWest/RBS."
→ FreeAgent (free with qualifying accounts — hard to argue with free)
"I need personal and corporation tax in one tool."
→ TaxCalc or GoSimpleTax (both handle SA100 + CT600)
What About Free Options?
After March 2026, there are no free CT600 filing options. HMRC's free service was the only one, and it's closing.
Some accounting platforms offer free trials, but you'll need to pay to actually submit your CT600 to HMRC.
The cheapest legitimate option is Taxpipe at £59 per filing.
Things to Watch Out For
Hidden Costs
Some software advertises a low headline price but charges extra for:
- iXBRL accounts (sometimes a separate module)
- Multiple company filings
- Support or phone helplines
- Software updates (annual charges even without new features)
Taxpipe's £59 includes everything: CT600 filing, iXBRL accounts, HMRC submission. No hidden extras.
Lock-In
Subscription software creates lock-in. If you pay annually for TaxCalc or Xero, switching means losing your payment and potentially your data.
Pay-per-filing models (like Taxpipe) have zero lock-in. Use it when you need it, with no ongoing commitment.
Compatibility
Check that the software works on your device:
- Some older tools are Windows-only
- Some require Java or specific browser versions
- Web-based tools (Taxpipe, Xero, FreeAgent) work on any device with a browser
HMRC Recognition
Make sure any software you choose is on HMRC's list of recognised CT600 software. Using unrecognised software means your filing may be rejected.
Don't Wait Until the Last Minute
HMRC's free service closes on 31 March 2026. If your CT600 is due soon, don't wait:
- Software providers will be busiest in March and April 2026
- Support response times will be slower
- You might face registration delays
Get set up now, even if your filing isn't due for a few months. Familiarise yourself with the software so filing day is stress-free.
Quick Start with Taxpipe
- Create your account (2 minutes)
- Enter your company details
- Use the tax calculator to estimate your liability
- File when you're ready — £59, one-off, done
The Bottom Line
For the vast majority of UK limited companies — particularly single-director companies with straightforward affairs — Taxpipe offers the best value at £59 per filing.
You don't need to subscribe to bloated accounting software you'll use once a year. You don't need to pay an accountant hundreds of pounds for a simple return. You need a tool that does CT600 filing well, at a fair price.
That's exactly what Taxpipe was built for.
File your CT600 with Taxpipe →
Prices correct as of February 2026. Taxpipe is HMRC-recognised software for CT600 filing. We've tried to be fair in our comparisons, but we're obviously biased — we built Taxpipe because we think the market needed a simpler, cheaper option.