Your tax return. Your way.
Whether you want full control, a safety net, or someone to handle the lot — A.X.E.L gives you three ways to file your Self Assessment. All powered by the same platform. All connected to HMRC.
Do It Yourself
You're in control
A.X.E.L guides you through every section of your Self Assessment — income, expenses, CIS deductions, property income — step by step. Review your numbers, check the summary, and submit directly to HMRC when you're ready.
- ✓Step-by-step guided workflow
- ✓Auto-populated from your A.X.E.L data
- ✓Income, expenses & CIS deductions calculated
- ✓Real-time validation before submission
- ✓Submit directly to HMRC*
- ✓Amend and resubmit anytime
Expert Review
File with confidence
Complete your Self Assessment in A.X.E.L, then hand it to our qualified accountant for a thorough review. They'll check every figure, flag anything that looks off, and confirm it's ready to submit. You file — knowing a professional has signed off on it.
- ✓Everything in DIY, plus:
- ✓Qualified accountant reviews your return
- ✓Line-by-line verification of all figures
- ✓Flags errors, missed deductions & risks
- ✓Written confirmation when it's ready
- ✓You submit with total confidence
Full Service
We handle everything
The hands-off option. Our qualified accountant reviews your entire Self Assessment, optimises your return, and files it with HMRC on your behalf. You don't lift a finger. Just approve and it's done.
- ✓Everything in Expert Review, plus:
- ✓Accountant files directly with HMRC for you
- ✓Return optimised for maximum tax efficiency
- ✓ID verification for HMRC agent submission
- ✓Confirmation & receipt when filed
- ✓Complete peace of mind — zero stress
How it works
Run your business in A.X.E.L
Track income, expenses, CIS deductions, and jobs throughout the year. A.X.E.L keeps everything organised automatically.
Review your draft return
When tax season comes, A.X.E.L pre-populates your Self Assessment from your data. Check the numbers, add anything extra.
Choose how to file
Submit it yourself, get an expert to review it first, or let our accountant handle the whole thing. Your call.
Making Tax Digital — What's Changing
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment means moving from one annual return to quarterly digital submissions to HMRC, followed by a final declaration at the end of the tax year.
Income over £50,000
Tradesmen and sole traders earning more than £50k will need to follow MTD ITSA from April 2026.
Income over £30,000
The next phase starts in April 2027 for those earning more than £30k.
What it means for tradesmen
Instead of one tax return per year, MTD introduces quarterly updates during the year, then a final declaration to complete everything at year end.
How A.X.E.L handles it
A.X.E.L tracks your income and expenses in real time all year, auto-generates quarterly submissions, and prepares your final declaration at the end of the year. If you're still on the traditional Self Assessment route, that stays supported too.
Questions
What is Making Tax Digital?
Making Tax Digital is HMRC's move toward digital record-keeping and more frequent tax reporting. For Income Tax Self Assessment, that means quarterly updates instead of relying only on one annual return.
Am I affected by MTD for Income Tax?
If your qualifying self-employed or property income is over £50,000, HMRC's MTD ITSA rules are due to apply from April 2026. If it's over £30,000, the next phase starts from April 2027.
Does A.X.E.L support quarterly MTD submissions?
Yes. A.X.E.L is built to support quarterly MTD submissions alongside traditional Self Assessment, so you can stay compliant now and as the rules roll out.
Who is the accountant?
A qualified, practising accountant who specialises in sole trader and contractor tax. They review every return personally — no AI, no automation for the review stage.
What if I've already started filing elsewhere?
No problem. You can import your data into A.X.E.L and pick up where you left off. The platform works with any starting point.
Is the Expert Review worth it if I'm confident?
Even experienced filers miss deductions. The review pays for itself if the accountant spots even one thing you overlooked. Think of it as insurance.
What's the difference between Expert Review and Full Service?
With Expert Review, the accountant checks your return and confirms it's ready — you press submit. With Full Service, the accountant submits to HMRC on your behalf. Same thorough review, different level of hands-off.
Do I need a UTR number?
Yes, to file with HMRC. If you don't have one yet, we offer a UTR registration service (£39.99) to get you sorted.
When can I file?
Self Assessment for the 2025/26 tax year opens in April 2026. You can prepare your return in A.X.E.L anytime — it'll be ready to submit the moment HMRC opens.
Useful tax calculators
Estimate your tax position faster with the tools most tradesmen use before filing.
CIS Tax Calculator
Check CIS deductions, estimated refunds, and what your tax position could look like before you file.
Open calculator →Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Estimate income tax and National Insurance from your self-employed earnings in a few steps.
Open calculator →VAT Calculator
Add or remove VAT quickly when pricing jobs, checking invoices, or reviewing costs.
Open calculator →Ready to sort your tax return?
Start your 14-day free trial. Your Self Assessment tools are included from day one.
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