Doing it yourself works if…
- Most of your income arrives by card or bank transfer, so it can be imported automatically.
- You have a handful of expense types and keep receipts as you go.
- You are happy to do a 15-minute check every week and handle the final declaration.
An accountant is worth it if…
- You take a lot of cash, or work through several platforms.
- You’re a landlord and self-employed, or have overseas property.
- You’re in CIS, use a vehicle for work, or work from home – where the year-end adjustments matter.
- You’d rather spend the time working than doing paperwork.
What to ask an accountant
- Is it a fixed monthly fee, and does it include all four quarterly updates and the final declaration?
- Which software do you use, and is the subscription included?
- Do you already work with people in my trade?
- Are you a member of a professional body (ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, CIOT/ATT) and supervised for anti-money-laundering?
- What do you need from me each quarter, and by when?
Fees vary a lot with how complex your affairs are, so compare at least two or three fixed-fee quotes.
Sources
- Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – GOV.UK
- Work out your qualifying income for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – GOV.UK
- Send quarterly updates using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – GOV.UK
- Find software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – GOV.UK
- Penalties for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – GOV.UK
General information about HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rules as of 26 October 2026, not tax advice. MTD Match is not affiliated with HMRC.