TaxCalc vs VATlayer
TaxCalc
taxcalc.comVATlayer
vatlayer.comSide by side
| Figure | TaxCalc | VATlayer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £3.50/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 8 |
| Spec score · VAT Software | 8.2 (#4) | 8.4 (#3) |
| Headquarters | Wokingham, England, UK | Vienna, Austria |
| Integrations | Accounts Production imports year-end trial balances from Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent and can export journals and adjustments back. | The maker presents the API as integrable anywhere through HTTP URL requests and does not publish named plug-in integrations on its product pages. |
| Intended users | TaxCalc says its products serve accountancy practices, in-house finance teams, sole traders and individuals across the UK. | VATlayer describes itself as a VAT automation and validation tool for individuals, businesses, and merchants buying or selling goods in and around the EU. |
| Product | TaxCalc is a UK accounting software platform covering compliance, client management, tax and practice operations. | VATlayer is a REST-based JSON API for EU VAT number validation, VAT compliant price calculations, and VAT rates. |
| Support | The company says every licence includes unlimited UK-based support from accountancy-trained specialists by phone and email, Monday to Friday. | Paid subscriptions include unlimited and prioritized technical support; Platinum Support adds account management and priority bug review. |
Plans
TaxCalc
- TaxCalc 2026 Individual 6£42 a year
- Engager Practice Management — up to 5 clients£9 a month
- Self Assessment tax software£42, paid once
- Accounts Production 12£164 a year
- Individual 12£187 a year
VATlayer
- FreeFree
- Free PlanFree
- Basic$9.99 a month
- Basic Plan$9.99 a month
- Professional$29.99 a month
- Professional Plan$29.99 a month
- Enterprise$99.99 a month
- Enterprise Plan$99.99 a month
In their own words
TaxCalc
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.
VATlayer
VATlayer is a REST-based JSON API for checking EU VAT numbers, finding VAT rates, and calculating VAT-compliant prices. Its validation endpoint can return company information for a VAT number. The rate endpoint identifies a country from a two-letter code, a supplied IP address, or the client IP address. Price calculations can also work backward from an amount that already includes VAT. VAT information covers 28 EU member states and draws on multiple data sources, including European Commission databases. Results are provided in real time, with an average response time around 0.50 seconds. The API reports uptime around 99.9%, though public uptime statistics are not offered. The Free plan allows 100 requests per month for non-commercial use with limited functionality. Paid plans start at $9.99/mo and include commercial use. Usage notices arrive by email and dashboard at 75%, 90%, and 100% of the monthly allowance; overage fees apply after it is reached. Paid customers can access the API using 256-bit HTTPS encryption.