Tool Review · Updated 2026-04
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a solid, well-supported choice for MTD ITSA — especially if you already use it or your accountant does. The Simple Start plan covers most sole traders at a reasonable price point.
No commercial relationship — QuickBooks is featured on editorial merit alone.
Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
QuickBooks and MTD ITSA
QuickBooks is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment across all three rollout phases. For users already on the platform, the upgrade path to MTD ITSA compliance is well-documented: authorise HMRC access via Government Gateway, then follow the in-app setup flow.
MTD ITSA Rollout Phases
- Phase 1 — April 2026 Live ✓ Supported
Income over £50,000
- Phase 2 — April 2027 ✓ Supported
Income over £30,000
- Phase 3 — April 2028 ✓ Supported
Income over £20,000
Phase support verified against GOV.UK software finder . Always confirm with the software provider before your obligation date.
GOV.UK verification: QuickBooks’ MTD ITSA recognition is listed on the GOV.UK software finder. We verify against this source — not Intuit’s own marketing materials. Status correct as of April 2026.
Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
Submission workflow
QuickBooks handles the full MTD ITSA pipeline: quarterly updates, end-of-period statements, and the final declaration. The quarterly update flow pulls your categorised income and expenses and sends totals directly to HMRC. The interface is clean and prompts you through each step.
Simple Start vs. Essentials for MTD ITSA
The Simple Start plan (£14/month) covers basic MTD ITSA quarterly submissions. Most sole traders with straightforward income will be fine on this plan. Essentials (£28/month) adds bills management and multi-currency — useful if you invoice overseas clients.
Screenshot: QuickBooks MTD ITSA submission
QuickBooks quarterly update interface for MTD ITSA — reviewed April 2026.
How it compares to Xero
QuickBooks and Xero are neck-and-neck for MTD ITSA capability. QuickBooks edges ahead on UI simplicity; Xero edges ahead on reporting depth and accountant ecosystem. If your accountant uses one, use that one. If you’re starting fresh, try both 30-day trials before committing.
MTD ITSA Phase Support
MTD ITSA Rollout Phases
- Phase 1 — April 2026 Live ✓ Supported
Income over £50,000
- Phase 2 — April 2027 ✓ Supported
Income over £30,000
- Phase 3 — April 2028 ✓ Supported
Income over £20,000
Phase support verified against GOV.UK software finder . Always confirm with the software provider before your obligation date.
QuickBooks is HMRC-recognised for all three MTD ITSA phases. The Self-Employed tier (separate product) also supports MTD ITSA for very simple income. Standard plans recommended for most users. PartnerStack approval pending at MTDStack launch.
Landlord support: Property income and expenses can be tracked using income/expense categories. No dedicated property module. Suitable for simple buy-to-let portfolios.
CIS support: CIS deductions can be recorded. Basic CIS functionality — not a dedicated CIS tool.
Pricing (GBP)
| Plan | Price/mo | Contacts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | £14/mo | Get started → | |
| Essentials | £28/mo | Get started → | |
| Plus | £38/mo | Get started → |
Prices shown are monthly and exclude VAT. Introductory discounts are often available for the first 6 months.
Last verified: April 2026
What we like
- + HMRC-recognised for all three MTD ITSA phases
- + Clean, intuitive UI — widely regarded as beginner-friendly
- + Strong UK-specific tax support including MTD VAT and ITSA
- + Good mobile app for capturing receipts on the go
- + Large UK accountant community
What we don't like
- − PartnerStack affiliate pending — no commission link at launch
- − Introductory pricing can obscure the true long-term cost
- − Multi-currency only on Essentials plan and above
- − US product origins mean some terminology is not UK-native
Who it's best for
- ✓ Existing QuickBooks users upgrading to MTD ITSA
- ✓ Sole traders who prioritise a polished, easy-to-use interface
- ✓ Users whose accountant already uses QuickBooks
Not ideal if
- ✗ Budget-conscious sole traders (Zoho Books or FreeAgent are cheaper)
- ✗ Heavy CIS users needing dedicated subcontractor management