Affordable CT600 Options After HMRC Closes in 2026
HMRC's free Company Accounts and Tax Online (CATO) service closes on 31 March 2026. While you'll need to use commercial software, that doesn't mean expensive software. Affordable alternatives exist that cost a fraction of traditional accountant software.
The Good News
You can file CT600 returns affordably after March 2026. Commercial software doesn't have to cost hundreds of pounds. Options like TinyTax offer professional CT600 filing from just £20/year — significantly less than traditional alternatives.
Affordable CT600 Software Options
TinyTax — Best Value
Cost: From £20/year — see current pricing
TinyTax is purpose-built as an affordable replacement for HMRC's service. Simple pricing, no per-filing charges, no hidden fees.
What's included:
- Full CT600 return preparation
- Electronic submission to HMRC
- iXBRL accounts generation
- Companies House accounts filing
- Trial balance import (from Xero, QuickBooks, etc.)
- Corporation tax calculation
- Error checking and validation
- Unlimited filings for one company
- Dormant: £20/year — for dormant companies
- Solo: affordable annual plan for one trading company — see pricing
- Portfolio: available for multiple companies
- No per-filing charges
- No "upgrade to file" tricks
Start filing with TinyTax →
Government Gateway — Limited Functionality
Cost: Free (but not for filing CT600)
After March 2026, Government Gateway remains available but you cannot file CT600 returns through it. You can only:
- Pay Corporation Tax
- View your tax account
- Manage other HMRC services
HMRC Basic Tools — Not Available
There is no "basic" HMRC filing option after March 2026. The government has decided to exit the CT600 filing software market entirely.
Paid Options (For Comparison)
If you need features beyond micro-entity filing, paid options include:
| Software | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| TaxCalc | £100+/year | Multi-company, accountant tools |
| IRIS | £200+/year | Practice management |
| Sage | £150+/year | Sage accounting integration |
| BTCSoftware | £100+/year | Professional filing |
What Makes TinyTax Different?
1. Built for Small Companies
TinyTax was designed specifically for director-managed small companies — not as a "lite" version of accountant software.
2. Simple, Transparent Pricing
One annual fee, unlimited filings. No per-return charges, no "upgrade to submit" tricks. At a fraction of traditional CT600 software — see current pricing.
3. Dual Filing
File to both HMRC (CT600) and Companies House (accounts) from one platform. No need for separate software.
4. Modern Interface
Clean, guided workflow that's easier than HMRC's ageing CATO system.
5. Trial Balance Import
Import from popular accounting software instead of manually entering figures.
Common Questions About Affordable CT600 Filing
What's the cheapest CT600 software?
TinyTax offers the most affordable CT600 filing, starting from just £20/year. Traditional accountant software like TaxCalc (£100+) and IRIS (£200+) costs significantly more. See current pricing.
What's the difference between TinyTax and expensive software?
| Feature | TinyTax (from £20/year) | Premium Software (£100-200+) |
|---|---|---|
| Single company filing | ✓ | ✓ |
| CT600 submission | ✓ | ✓ |
| iXBRL accounts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Companies House filing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-company support | Portfolio plan | ✓ |
| Practice management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Advanced tax planning | ✗ | ✓ |
Is affordable software as good as HMRC's old service?
Actually better. TinyTax offers:
- Real-time validation (HMRC's system often showed errors only after submission)
- Trial balance import (HMRC required manual entry)
- Combined CH/HMRC filing in one workflow
- Modern, mobile-friendly interface
What if I'm not a micro-entity?
TinyTax works for small companies too. For larger or more complex companies, you may need features from paid software like TaxCalc or IRIS.
Do I qualify as a micro-entity?
To be a micro-entity, your company must meet at least two of these criteria:
- Turnover not more than £632,000
- Balance sheet total not more than £316,000
- Average employees not more than 10
Can I switch software later?
Yes. If your company grows or needs change, you can switch software anytime. Your HMRC/Companies House accounts remain unchanged.
How to Get Started
Step 1: Create Your Account
Visit tinytax.co.uk/register and sign up with your email.Step 2: Add Your Company
Enter your company registration number. TinyTax automatically imports company details from Companies House.Step 3: Connect to HMRC
Authorise TinyTax through Government Gateway (takes 2 minutes).Step 4: Import or Enter Figures
Upload a trial balance from your accounting software, or enter figures manually.Step 5: Review and Submit
TinyTax calculates your tax, generates iXBRL accounts, and submits electronically.Timeline: When to Switch
| Deadline | Action |
|---|---|
| Now | Create TinyTax account |
| Before March 2026 | File at least one return through TinyTax |
| 31 March 2026 | HMRC service closes |
| From April 2026 | All CT600 filings through software |
- Learn the software without time pressure
- Resolve any issues before HMRC closes
- Compare the experience while both options exist
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is TinyTax so affordable?
TinyTax is built specifically for small companies filing their own returns. By focusing on micro-entities rather than accountant practices, we keep costs low — from £20/year vs £100-200+ for traditional software. See current pricing.
Is my data safe?
Yes. TinyTax uses bank-grade encryption and secure connections. Your financial data is protected.
What if I need help?
TinyTax includes built-in guidance for each CT600 box. Support is available if you get stuck.
Can I file amendments?
Yes. Amendments to previous returns can be filed through TinyTax — included in your subscription.
What about dormant companies?
Dormant companies can file through TinyTax. The simplified accounts format is fully supported.
Summary
- Affordable CT600 filing exists after HMRC closes
- TinyTax offers professional filing from just £20/year
- Simple pricing, no per-filing fees, no upgrade tricks
- Switch now to prepare before the March 2026 deadline
File your CT600 affordably. Create your TinyTax account →