by Asim Abbas
11 November 2026 
Can you do your own tax return, or should you use an accountant?
Can you do your own tax return, or should you use an accountant?
Yes, you can file your own Self Assessment return. HMRC’s online service is free, and plenty of people with simple affairs do it every year.
- Anyone can file their own return free on GOV.UK
- DIY suits simple returns: one job plus a little extra income
- An accountant pays for itself when things get more complex
- At Wingate, returns start from £150 including VAT
But the more your finances involve, the easier it is to miss reliefs, make mistakes or pay more tax than you need to.
This guide will help you decide whether to do it yourself or hand it to an accountant.
When doing it yourself works well
- You have one main income source and only a little extra, such as some bank interest
- You’re a sole trader with simple income and few expenses
- You’ve filed before and nothing has changed
- You’re confident using HMRC’s online service
HMRC’s online service works out your tax for you as you go, and you can save and come back to it.
When an accountant is worth it
- Rental property: mortgage interest, repairs vs improvements and joint ownership rules are easy to get wrong
- Capital gains: selling shares, crypto or property needs careful cost and relief calculations
- Company directors: salary, dividends and benefits interact with your tax bands
- Foreign income: double taxation relief and residence rules are complex
- Income near £100,000: the personal allowance taper creates a 60% effective rate that pension planning can reduce
- Making Tax Digital: quarterly updates add work through the year
A landlord earning £105,000 who makes a £5,000 gross personal pension contribution restores £2,500 of personal allowance and gets higher rate relief on the contribution. Missing that could cost over £2,000 in tax, far more than an accountant’s fee.
Income tax calculator
Check your figures before you decide.
Common DIY mistakes
- Deducting mortgage interest as an expense instead of claiming the 20% credit
- Forgetting the High Income Child Benefit Charge when income is over £60,000
- Missing higher rate relief on pension contributions and Gift Aid
- Claiming personal costs as business expenses
- Leaving it until 31 January, then rushing
Fixed-fee accountancy support
Transparent monthly packages for sole traders, landlords and limited companies. Fixed fees agreed upfront, VAT included.
Get a fixed-fee quoteCall 0161 531 4179What does an accountant cost?
Fees depend on complexity. At Wingate, a straightforward return is £150, a self-employed, landlord or multi-income return is £250, and complex returns get a fixed quote. All prices include VAT. See our pricing.
If you’re self-employed, the part of the fee for preparing your business accounts is usually an allowable expense.
A middle route
Some people prepare their own figures and ask an accountant to review and file. Use our free tax calculators to check your numbers first, then get a quote for the parts you’re unsure about.
What should I do next?
More than two usually means more risk of errors.
Property, gains, foreign income or income over £100,000.
It costs nothing to ask and fees are fixed.
That leaves time either way. See our Self Assessment service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to file my own tax return?
Yes. Filing through HMRC’s online service is free. You need your UTR and a Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login account.
Will HMRC check my return if I do it myself?
HMRC can check any return, whoever prepares it. Accurate records and sensible figures are what matter.
Can I switch to an accountant after filing?
Yes. If you spot a mistake, an accountant can amend your return within 12 months of the 31 January deadline.
Is an accountant’s fee tax deductible?
For the self-employed, the part of the fee for preparing business accounts is usually allowable. Fees for personal tax matters are not.
How quickly can Wingate file my return?
Usually within a few working days of receiving complete records, and well before the deadline.
Need help with this? Wingate Accountants offers fixed-fee online accountancy support across the UK. Call 0161 531 4179 or request a quote at wingateaccountants.co.uk.
About the Author
Ali Imran
I’m Ali Imran, an accountant at Wingate Accountants. I help sole traders, landlords and directors get their returns filed early and accurately, without the last-minute panic.
