TaxCalc vs VAT Direct

TaxCalc is a UK accounting software platform for tax compliance, client management, and practice operations. Its products prepare personal, partnership, trust, and company tax returns, as well as statutory accounts. For Self Assessment, SimpleStep guides users through relevant sections, with an option to switch to HMRC-style forms. Calculations update in real time, and Check & Finish reviews a return before submission. Tax products submit directly to HMRC, while Accounts Production files statutory accounts to Companies House. Accounts Production can import year-end trial balances from Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent and export journals and adjustments; integrations differ between products. TaxCalc supports self-employment and investment income, but does not include state filing. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with mobile access limited to the web. Pricing is paid, from £42, with a free trial and no free plan. TaxCalc says each licence includes unlimited weekday phone and email support from UK-based, accountancy-trained specialists.

VAT Direct provides software for submitting VAT and Self Assessment returns and accessing VAT information through the Exedra platform. Users can send VAT return data from spreadsheet-generated CSV files, keeping their existing accounting system for that process. Its online cashbook holds VAT and Self Assessment records and supports cash-basis or standard VAT accounting. Supported schemes include Flat Rate, retail and margin schemes, traditional and EC VAT, and the Domestic Reverse Charge; it also tracks CIS payments. Open Banking can load statements from multiple bank, cash, and credit-card accounts into the cashbook. An API offers bank statement and HMRC tax information after login and authorisation. The free digital-record service is limited to 500 transactions per period and requires cash-basis accounts. The site says data is processed in the UK, includes anti-fraud headers, and offers optional two-factor authentication by text message or a similar method. The cashbook does not currently handle FRC Taxonomies. The basic service is free; users must contact the provider for details about premium services.