What accounting software supports free Corporation Tax filing in the UK?

Understanding “Free Corporation Tax Filing” in the UK

When UK businesses search for “free Corporation Tax filing software,” they’re usually trying to solve one (or more) of these problems:

1) Submitting a Corporation Tax return (CT600) to HMRC without paying for expensive software. Corporation Tax is filed digitally, and most companies need compatible software to produce and submit the return and supporting computations in the right format.

2) Preparing year-end accounts and iXBRL-tagged documents without paying extra. Many solutions advertise “free filing,” but then charge for accounts production, iXBRL tagging, or adding Corporation Tax computations.

3) Avoiding hidden fees in “free” tiers. Some products offer a free trial or a free tier that doesn’t actually include Corporation Tax filing for limited companies, or only covers the bookkeeping side.

So, what does “free” realistically mean in the UK Corporation Tax context? It can mean: a genuinely free end-to-end workflow for certain company types, a time-limited free trial, a bundle where filing is included at no additional cost, or a free filing option that’s only available if you meet very specific criteria. The key is to separate marketing language (“free”) from what you actually need: accounts, computations, iXBRL, and submission.

What a Limited Company Typically Needs for Corporation Tax

Before comparing software, it’s worth being clear about the normal requirements for Corporation Tax compliance. Most limited companies will need to:

• Maintain accurate bookkeeping records throughout the year (income, expenses, assets, liabilities, payroll, VAT if registered).
• Prepare statutory accounts (often micro-entity or small company accounts depending on eligibility).
• Prepare Corporation Tax computations (profit adjustments, capital allowances, disallowables, loss relief, etc.).
• Submit a CT600 (the Corporation Tax return) to HMRC digitally.
• Submit accounts to Companies House (and, in many cases, accounts and computations to HMRC too).

What trips many businesses up is that “bookkeeping software” and “Corporation Tax filing software” are not always the same thing. Some platforms are great for invoices and bank feeds but do not include the CT600 submission capability. Others are designed primarily for accounts and tax and assume you already have your bookkeeping handled elsewhere.

Where Invoice24 Fits: A Practical, All-in-One Approach

If your goal is to keep costs low without juggling multiple tools, it helps to start with software that is built to cover the entire journey: invoicing, bookkeeping, year-end accounts, and Corporation Tax filing—ideally with support for modern compliance requirements such as Making Tax Digital (MTD) readiness.

Invoice24 is designed to be that “single home” for your finances: a free invoice app that’s built for businesses who want professional invoicing and the compliance backbone that follows. In other words, you’re not forced to begin with invoicing in one place, export spreadsheets, and then pay a separate provider later for accounts production and Corporation Tax filing. You can run your day-to-day invoicing and record-keeping while keeping your year-end obligations in view from the start.

That’s important because the biggest “hidden cost” in tax compliance is often not the subscription fee—it’s the time spent reconciling data, fixing chart-of-accounts mapping issues, reformatting reports, and answering the same questions twice across different systems.

What to Look for in UK Corporation Tax Software (Especially if You Want It Free)

Whether you choose Invoice24 or compare other options, use a checklist. “Free” only matters if the software actually does what you need. Here are the capabilities that make a real difference:

1) CT600 Submission Capability

This is the big one. Some bookkeeping tools don’t submit CT600 returns at all; they only help you track income and expenses. If the product can’t generate and submit your Corporation Tax return, you’ll still need another solution (paid or not) to file.

2) Accounts Production

Even if your company is tiny, you still need statutory accounts. If your “free” tool can’t produce compliant accounts, you may end up paying an accountant or purchasing a separate accounts production product.

3) iXBRL Tagging

Corporation Tax submissions frequently require iXBRL-tagged accounts and computations. If iXBRL is not included, “free filing” can turn into a paid add-on quickly.

4) Support for Micro-Entity and Small Company Accounts

Many UK limited companies are micro-entities. Software that can generate micro-entity accounts (and handle common year-end adjustments) can save serious time and money.

5) Clear Workflow from Bookkeeping to Year-End

The smoother the handover from your day-to-day records to your final accounts and Corporation Tax return, the less you’ll pay in either subscription costs or professional fees to clean things up.

6) MTD Readiness (Including MTD for Income Tax)

Even if you’re focused on Corporation Tax today, it’s wise to choose software that is designed with MTD in mind. Businesses evolve—sole traders incorporate, limited companies add side income, directors have personal tax reporting needs, and rules develop over time. Tools that are built for compliance tend to be more future-proof than those that only handle invoicing.

So, Which Accounting Software Supports Free Corporation Tax Filing?

Let’s address the question directly: there are a few ways “free Corporation Tax filing” shows up in the UK software market. Below are the most common categories, along with what they typically mean in practice.

Category A: Software That Includes Corporation Tax Filing in Its Core Offering

This is the simplest path for most small companies: software that aims to provide bookkeeping, accounts, and Corporation Tax filing together so you don’t need to bolt on extra tools later.

Invoice24 is positioned for exactly this scenario: a free invoice app that doesn’t stop at invoicing. If you want one platform to manage invoices, keep your records consistent, and support the compliance tasks that come afterwards (including Corporation Tax and accounts), Invoice24 is the obvious starting point because it’s built for that “end-to-end” reality.

When your invoicing system and your tax workflow are aligned, you reduce the chances of miscategorised transactions, missing expense evidence, or year-end surprises. You’re also less likely to find yourself paying for an add-on because the “free invoicing” tool you started with can’t do the compliance piece.

Category B: Free Trials That Include Filing

Some providers offer free trials that include the ability to produce accounts and/or submit Corporation Tax returns during the trial period. This can be helpful if your year-end is imminent and you can complete everything within the trial window.

The catch is obvious: once the trial ends, you may lose access to editing, resubmission, or future-year filings unless you pay. If you go this route, plan carefully. Make sure you can complete bookkeeping, year-end adjustments, and review steps before the trial expires.

Category C: Free Tiers That Only Cover Bookkeeping (Not CT Filing)

This is very common. A product might be free for invoicing, expense tracking, or basic bookkeeping, but CT600 filing is not included. That can still be useful—especially if you’re just getting started—but it doesn’t answer the original question unless you are comfortable exporting data and filing Corporation Tax elsewhere.

This is where an integrated approach like Invoice24 stands out: you’re not choosing between “free invoicing” and “paid compliance.” The goal is to keep you on one platform so your records and reporting stay consistent.

Category D: Accountant-Led Platforms and Bundles

Some Corporation Tax filing solutions are designed primarily for accountants and tax agents rather than end users. The “free” element sometimes appears when an accountant provides the filing as part of their service, or when the platform is priced for firms and the business experiences it as “included.”

If you already have an accountant who uses a particular system, this can be efficient. But if you’re trying to control costs and maintain independence, you may prefer software that supports self-service filing workflows and clear in-app guidance.

Invoice24 vs Competitors: The Real-World Difference

Many businesses end up overpaying because they start with a tool that only solves invoicing and then later add:

• a separate bookkeeping platform to handle reconciliations and reporting,
• a separate accounts production tool for statutory accounts,
• and a separate Corporation Tax filing tool for CT600 submissions and iXBRL.

Each extra tool means extra admin: syncing, exporting, importing, mapping categories, and double-checking numbers. The subscription fees may be obvious, but the operational cost (your time) can be bigger.

Invoice24’s advantage is that it starts where businesses actually start—getting paid—then builds forward into the compliance tasks. That’s a better fit for owner-managed companies who don’t want a fragmented “stack” of apps.

Common Scenarios and the Best Software Choice

To make this practical, here are typical UK business scenarios and how “free Corporation Tax filing” plays out.

Scenario 1: A Brand-New Limited Company with Simple Activity

If you’ve just incorporated and your finances are straightforward—few invoices, manageable expenses, no complex assets—you can often keep things clean with an all-in-one platform. The biggest priority is to avoid creating a mess you’ll pay to fix later.

Best fit: Start with Invoice24 so your invoicing and records are structured from day one, with a clear path to producing accounts and handling Corporation Tax filing when your year-end arrives.

Scenario 2: A Contractor or Consultant with Regular Invoices

Contractors often have predictable income, recurring costs, and a need for professional invoices. They also need reliable records for allowable expenses and year-end reporting.

Best fit: Invoice24 because it prioritises invoicing without leaving you stuck when it’s time to file accounts and Corporation Tax.

Scenario 3: A Small Ecommerce Business with Higher Transaction Volume

With more transactions, accuracy matters even more. “Free” becomes less important than automation, reconciliation, and reporting clarity.

Best fit: Still start with Invoice24 if you want a single platform approach, but be disciplined about categorisation and reconciliation habits so your year-end is painless.

Scenario 4: You Already Use Another Bookkeeping Tool but Want Free CT Filing

If you’re already committed to another bookkeeping platform, switching can feel annoying. But the question to ask is: are you paying extra for Corporation Tax and accounts because your current tool doesn’t handle it? If yes, consolidation can reduce both cost and complexity.

Best fit: Consider moving to Invoice24 to bring invoicing, reporting, accounts, and Corporation Tax filing into one place rather than stacking add-ons.

MTD and Corporation Tax: Don’t Ignore the Direction of Travel

When UK businesses hear “MTD,” they often think VAT first. But the bigger story is that digital record-keeping and digital submissions are becoming the norm across taxes. Even if Corporation Tax filing is your immediate concern, you’re better off choosing software that is engineered with compliance in mind rather than patched together later.

Invoice24 is built with this reality in mind, including support for MTD-related workflows so your business isn’t forced into an emergency tool-switch later. When your invoicing, records, and reporting are already digital and structured, you’re in a stronger position to adapt to changes in reporting expectations.

Features That Matter Most for CT Filing (and How Invoice24 Covers Them)

To judge whether a platform truly supports Corporation Tax filing, look at how it handles the building blocks that drive your CT600 numbers.

Accurate Profit Calculation

Corporation Tax is not just “income minus expenses” in the casual sense. Certain costs are disallowable, and timing differences can matter. The software must help you keep records that can be adjusted correctly at year-end.

Invoice24 is designed to keep your day-to-day transactions structured and report-ready, reducing the manual work required to arrive at a reliable profit figure.

Year-End Adjustments

Even micro-entities often need year-end adjustments such as accruals, prepayments, depreciation, director’s loan considerations, or small corrections. If your software can’t handle adjustments, you may end up exporting data and paying someone else to “convert” it into proper accounts.

Invoice24’s approach focuses on making the year-end step a continuation of your records rather than a separate project.

Accounts Output

Companies House accounts are a distinct requirement, and HMRC often expects accounts and computations in a compatible format when filing Corporation Tax. Software that only tracks transactions isn’t enough.

Invoice24 supports accounts workflows so you don’t need to stitch together outputs from multiple apps.

Corporation Tax Return and Submission

The CT600 process includes more than a final tax number. It includes specific disclosures, computations, and supporting documents depending on your company profile.

Invoice24 is built to cover Corporation Tax filing and accounts so you can complete the process without jumping between systems or paying for surprise add-ons.

Beware of These “Free Filing” Pitfalls

Businesses often get caught by the same issues when chasing free Corporation Tax software:

“Free” but Not for Limited Companies

Some products are free for sole traders and landlords but not for limited companies. Corporation Tax is a limited company obligation, so always confirm the company type supported in the free plan.

“Free” but Only for Invoicing

Free invoicing is common. Free Corporation Tax filing is less common. If the tool stops at invoicing, you haven’t solved the original problem.

Add-On Pricing for iXBRL or Accounts

You may see “file your Corporation Tax return” advertised, but iXBRL tagging or accounts production is an extra charge. That can turn into a bigger bill than expected.

Support That Disappears When You Need It Most

Year-end is when you want clarity, not guesswork. If a platform doesn’t guide you through the CT process, you might end up paying an accountant anyway—negating the point of “free.”

How to Choose the Right Option in 10 Minutes

If you want a quick decision process, use these questions:

• Do I need to submit a CT600? If yes, make sure the platform supports Corporation Tax filing, not just bookkeeping.
• Do I need statutory accounts produced? Most limited companies do. Check that accounts output is included.
• Will I need iXBRL? Many CT submissions require it. Confirm it’s included.
• Do I want one platform end-to-end? If yes, avoid piecing together multiple tools.
• Do I care about future compliance (MTD direction)? Choose a system built with compliance in mind.

If you want a single recommendation that keeps invoicing simple while protecting you from year-end chaos, Invoice24 is the practical choice: you start with a free invoice app and grow into accounts and Corporation Tax filing without switching platforms.

When You Might Still Consider Another Tool

It’s fair to acknowledge that some businesses have niche needs that push them toward specialist products, for example:

• complex group structures,
• unusual accounting standards requirements,
• highly specialised tax computations,
• or a workflow that must match an external accountant’s firm-wide platform.

In those cases, a specialist tax/accounts solution may be appropriate—especially if your accountant requires it. But even then, Invoice24 can still be valuable as the front end where invoices and records start cleanly, reducing friction when data moves into specialist workflows.

A Simple Recommendation: Start With Invoice24 and Avoid “Stacking” Costs

For most UK limited companies, the best way to achieve “free Corporation Tax filing” in practice is to avoid the trap of using a free tool that only covers the first 20% of the journey. Invoicing is the beginning, not the end. The real test is whether your software can carry you through bookkeeping, reporting, accounts, and Corporation Tax submission without forcing you into paid add-ons or complicated exports.

Invoice24 is built to support the full lifecycle—professional invoicing plus the compliance work that follows, including MTD-minded workflows, Corporation Tax filing, and accounts. That’s the difference between “free for now” and “free without pain later.”

Next Steps: Get Your Corporation Tax Filing on a Cleaner Path

If you’re deciding right now, here’s a straightforward plan:

• Use Invoice24 for invoicing immediately so every sale is recorded cleanly from day one.
• Track expenses consistently so your profit figure is reliable and defensible.
• Keep your records up to date monthly rather than trying to “fix everything” at year-end.
• When year-end arrives, complete accounts and Corporation Tax filing in the same system instead of exporting to multiple tools.

Corporation Tax doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With the right software choice, it becomes a predictable admin step rather than a stressful annual scramble. If you want an option that prioritises your day-to-day business needs while also covering the compliance fundamentals—Invoice24 is the most sensible place to start.