Tool Review · Updated 2026-04
Sage
Sage is the top pick for CIS subcontractors and anyone with mixed CIS/sole-trader income. For landlords, its property income reporting and dedicated categories are more developed than Xero or QuickBooks.
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Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
Sage and MTD ITSA
Sage is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment across all three rollout phases. It is our recommended platform for CIS subcontractors and landlords — two groups who often struggle to find accounting software that handles their specific needs alongside MTD ITSA.
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: Sage’s MTD ITSA recognition is listed on the GOV.UK software finder. We verify against this source. Status correct as of April 2026.
Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
CIS subcontractors: why Sage leads
The Construction Industry Scheme creates unique compliance requirements that most accounting tools handle poorly. Sage Accounting Plus is the only mainstream accounting platform with:
- Subcontractor verification — confirm CIS status with HMRC directly from Sage
- CIS deduction tracking — automatically calculate 20% or 30% deductions
- Monthly CIS returns — submit directly to HMRC from within Sage
- CIS-aware P&L — deductions separated from gross income in reporting
If you work in construction and face MTD ITSA obligations, Sage Accounting Plus at £49/month is likely the most defensible choice.
Landlord support
Sage has dedicated property income categories that match HMRC’s reporting requirements for Schedule A (UK property income). Multi-property portfolios can be tracked separately. While it lacks the full property management features of specialist tools, for the purposes of MTD ITSA quarterly updates it handles property income cleanly.
Screenshot: Sage MTD ITSA submission
Sage’s quarterly update interface for MTD ITSA — reviewed April 2026.
Choosing the right Sage plan
- Accounting Start (£15/month): Covers basic MTD ITSA quarterly submissions. Missing full EOPS and final declaration tools. Not recommended for most users.
- Accounting (£30/month): Full MTD ITSA workflow. Right plan for most sole traders and simple landlords.
- Accounting Plus (£49/month): Required for CIS management. Also the right choice for complex businesses with inventory or multiple entities.
For pure sole traders with simple income, Zoho Books at £12/month delivers equivalent MTD ITSA compliance at significantly lower cost.
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.
Sage is HMRC-recognised for all three MTD ITSA phases. The Accounting Plus plan is the only mainstream tool with comprehensive end-to-end CIS management built in.
Landlord support: Dedicated property income categories and landlord-specific reporting. Suitable for single and multi-property portfolios.
CIS support: Full CIS management on Accounting Plus plan — subcontractor verification, CIS deductions, monthly CIS returns to HMRC. Best CIS support of any mainstream accounting tool.
Pricing (GBP)
| Plan | Price/mo | Contacts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Start | £15/mo | Get started → | |
| Accounting | £30/mo | Get started → | |
| Accounting Plus | £49/mo | Get started → |
Prices shown are monthly and exclude VAT. Sage frequently runs promotional discounts for the first 3–6 months.
Last verified: April 2026
What we like
- + HMRC-recognised for all three MTD ITSA phases
- + Best-in-class CIS management on Accounting Plus
- + Strong landlord and property income support
- + Good UK support team with accounting expertise
- + Good UK support team
What we don't like
- − Accounting Plus (£49/month) is expensive for simple sole traders
- − Interface feels more corporate than Xero or QuickBooks
- − Mobile app less polished than competitors
Who it's best for
- ✓ CIS subcontractors needing full CIS management and MTD ITSA
- ✓ Landlords with multiple properties
- ✓ Sole traders who want strong UK support
- ✓ Users with mixed income types (self-employment + property + employment)
Not ideal if
- ✗ Budget-conscious sole traders with simple income (Zoho Books is cheaper)
- ✗ Freelancers who want a sleek, modern UI