Updated on 6 September 2026
QuickBooks review (2026): HMRC-recognised MTD Income Tax software from Intuit
Prices and features last verified on 20 September 2026. Sources: QuickBooks website, HMRC MTD software list.
QuickBooks is HMRC-recognised for MTD Income Tax and starts at £10/month for sole traders. Best for businesses already in the Intuit ecosystem. Rated 4.2/5 for ease of use and reliable bank reconciliation, with strong mobile apps and payroll integration.Built by US corporate-tax software firm Intuit and used by more than 7 million customers worldwide, QuickBooks Online (UK) pairs HMRC MTD filing with a mobile app that is widely considered the best for on-the-go bookkeeping. Its strongest selling point is the wider Intuit ecosystem — if you use QuickBooks Payroll, take card payments via Intuit, or already use other Intuit products, the integrations feel seamless.
Who is QuickBooks best for?
Sole traders & small businesses already in the Intuit ecosystem
Pricing
From £10/month (Sole Trader) — £24/month (Essentials). The Sole Trader plan is the entry point for self-employed; Sole Trader Plus adds MTD VAT support and multi-currency; Simple Start (£14/month) adds invoicing customisation and time tracking; Essentials (£24/month) adds multi-user and expense management. Pricing has changed several times in 2024–2025; verify the current price before signing up.
MTD Income Tax status
HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA.
Pros & cons
Pros
- HMRC-recognised for MTD Income Tax — submits quarterly updates and year-end figures directly
- Tight integration with QuickBooks Payroll and Intuit payments — payroll, card payments and bookkeeping in one place
- Well-regarded mobile app with instant receipt capture
Cons
- Recent UK price increases have drawn criticism from long-time users
- US product DNA — less UK-native tax automation than FreeAgent
- Category structure and reporting less flexible than Xero
Verdict
QuickBooks is a solid all-round choice with a great mobile app and tight payroll integration. If you’re not already in the Intuit ecosystem, compare with FreeAgent (simpler) and Xero (more flexible).
Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks HMRC-recognised for MTD Income Tax?
Yes. QuickBooks is fully HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA and can submit quarterly updates and your End of Period Statement directly to HMRC.
Does QuickBooks offer a free trial?
Yes — QuickBooks offers a 30-day free trial. After that, the Sole Trader plan starts at £10/month.
Can I use QuickBooks on my phone?
Yes — its mobile app is widely regarded as the best in class for receipt capture and mileage logging on the go.
What happens if I want to switch later?
You can export your data and switch to another HMRC-recognised provider at any time. Your submission history with HMRC stays intact.