Most accountants charge between £150 and £500+ for a Self Assessment tax return in 2026. Simple employment tax returns typically cost £150–£250, while self-employed individuals, landlords and company directors often pay £250–£500+ depending on complexity. The exact fee depends on your income sources, record keeping and whether tax advice is included.
Typical Range 2026
£150 - £500+
If you're self-employed, a company director or earning income outside PAYE, filing a Self Assessment tax return is mandatory. Understanding accountant fees for Self Assessment can help you budget and choose the right service.
Accountants' fees for a standard Self Assessment return typically range from £150 to £500+, depending on:
| Tax Return Type | Typical Accountant Fee |
|---|---|
| Employment Income Only | £150 – £250 |
| Self-Employed Sole Trader | £250 – £500 |
| Landlord Tax Return | £250 – £450 |
| Company Director Tax Return | £200 – £450 |
| Multiple Income Sources | £350 – £750+ |
| Complex Tax Planning Cases | £500+ |
Your sources of income
Employment, property, investments, overseas, crypto
Your business structure
Self-employed or limited company director
Complexity of tax affairs
Number of income streams and transactions
Your location
London accountants often charge 20-30% more
Additional services
Bookkeeping, VAT, payroll support
Taxwise Accountancy
Transparent, fair and tailored fees - no hidden charges
£150-£250
£250-£400
£400-£750+
Complexity
More income sources = higher fees
Record Quality
Organised records reduce time/cost
Timing
Last-minute submissions cost more
Location
London firms often charge 20-30% more
Free (just your time)
Good for simple returns
Risk of errors/penalties
Time-consuming to learn
Expert accuracy & compliance
Tax-saving advice
Saves your time
Peace of mind
Worth it? An accountant often saves you more in tax than their fee costs, plus you avoid penalties and save hours of stress.
If you're self-employed and operate as a sole trader, your fee for annual accounts and tax return will depend on your business income. This applies to minicab drivers, plumbers, electricians, freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and many other small business owners.
Annual Income
Up to £30k
£149 - £250
Typical fee range
Annual Income
£30k - £85k
£250 - £400
Typical fee range
Annual Income
£85k+
£400+
Typical fee range
The location of your accountant can significantly affect the cost of your tax return. Accountants in major cities like London often charge higher fees due to increased overheads and demand.
Typically charge 20-30% more
£200 - £600+
Lower overheads, better value
£149 - £450
If you're based in London and looking for tax return support, we work with many clients across the capital.
View our London accountant servicesMany clients are now turning to online accountants to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Since online accountants don't need expensive offices in city centres, they often pass the savings back to clients.
At Taxwise Accountancy, we serve clients across the UK with easy-to-use remote services.
Learn More About Cloud AccountingIf you're newly self-employed or earning untaxed income for the first time, you'll need to register with HMRC before you can file a return. We offer free online registration as part of our service.
Technically, you can file a tax return yourself via HMRC. But using an accountant ensures:
We specialise in helping: Sole traders • Landlords • Contractors • Limited company directors • Partnerships • High earners with multiple income sources
We're based in Luton and serve clients across the UK, offering fixed fees, professional service, and support all year round – not just at tax time.
At Taxwise Accountancy, our Self Assessment tax return fees typically start from £175 for straightforward tax returns. Fees vary depending on the complexity of your circumstances, the number of income sources and the quality of records provided.
We're now taking bookings for the 2026 Self Assessment season. Don't leave it until the January deadline. Get expert help early and stay compliant.
If you're a landlord with one or two properties, expect to pay £250–£450 for a Self Assessment tax return. The fee increases with each additional property and is affected by whether the property is held personally or in a limited company. Landlords also benefit significantly from an accountant's knowledge of allowable expenses — mortgage interest relief, repairs, and replacement of domestic items — which can more than offset the cost.
Read: HMRC Targeting Landlords in 2025Limited company directors typically pay £200–£450 for a personal Self Assessment. This covers reporting salary and dividends, which most directors receive as a tax-efficient combination. The fee often depends on whether the accountant also handles your company's accounts and payroll — many firms offer bundled packages at a discounted rate. If you need both personal and company tax services, ask about combined pricing.
Read: Tax Efficient Salary & Dividends for Directors 2026/27Cryptocurrency tax returns are among the most complex HMRC now receives, typically costing £350–£750+. This reflects the volume of transactions to review, the need to apply HMRC's crypto-specific rules on pooling and disposals, and the capital gains calculations involved. If you've traded crypto, staked, mined, or used DeFi protocols, an accountant experienced in crypto taxation is essential. HMRC is actively targeting undeclared crypto gains through exchange data-sharing agreements.
Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change. Always seek professional advice.
Complete tax return preparation
HMRC submission on your behalf
Tax-saving advice and planning
Calculation of tax liability
Review of expenses and allowances
Ongoing email/phone support
Keep Organised Records
Use accounting software like FreeAgent throughout the year
Submit Early
Book before December to avoid rush fees
Provide Complete Information
Gather all documents before contacting your accountant
Ask for Fixed Fees
Get a quote upfront so there are no surprises
You may need to file a Self Assessment if you're self-employed, a company director, a landlord earning rental income, or have untaxed income from savings, investments, dividends, crypto or foreign sources. HMRC's rules change regularly, and the £150,000+ income automatic filing requirement was removed — so even if you've never filed before, you may now need to.
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