Guides

Best CT600 Filing Software in 2026: WeFile vs TinyTax, TaxPipe, TaxCalc & TaxFiler

WeFile Team·1 June 2026·10 min read

Introduction

Filing your Corporation Tax return (CT600) is an annual obligation for every UK limited company — whether you're actively trading or dormant. Until now, many small businesses relied on HMRC's free online filing service. But with HMRC confirming the closure of its free CT600 filing portal on 31 March 2026, every company director and accountant needs to find a reliable commercial alternative.

The good news? There are more options than ever. The challenge? They vary enormously in pricing, features, ease of use, and who they're designed for.

In this guide, we provide a detailed, honest comparison of the leading CT600 filing solutions available in 2026 — including our own platform, WeFile — so you can make an informed decision.

Why This Matters Now: HMRC's Free Filing Service Is Closing

HMRC's legacy online filing system has been running for over a decade. It no longer meets modern digital, legislative, or security standards. As part of the Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, HMRC is requiring all businesses to use commercial software for CT600 submissions from April 2026 onwards.

This means:

  • No more free filing through HMRC's website
  • All CT600 returns must be submitted via HMRC-recognised commercial software
  • iXBRL-tagged accounts are mandatory for both HMRC and Companies House

If you haven't already chosen a software provider, now is the time.

The Contenders at a Glance

SoftwareStarting PriceCT600 to HMRCCH FilingBest For
WeFile£15/filing (dormant), £25/filing (trading)✅ Direct✅ DirectSmall companies, accountants, developers
TinyTax£20 (dormant), £59 (trading), £99 (portfolio)✅ Direct✅ DirectMicro-entities only
TaxPipe£59/return✅ Direct✅ iXBRL generationOne-off filers
TaxCalc£130/year✅ Direct✅ Via moduleProfessionals, multi-return filers
TaxFiler£10/month✅ Direct✅ DirectSmall practices, budget-conscious

WeFile — Simple, Affordable, Built for Everyone

WeFile was purpose-built to make CT600 and Companies House filing as straightforward as possible — whether you're a solo director filing once a year or an accountant managing dozens of clients.

Pricing

  • Dormant company filing: £15 per filing
  • Trading company filing: £25 per filing
  • Accountant Membership: £250/year for up to 100 filings (as little as £2.50 per filing)
  • Developer API: £500/year with 300-filing limit for programmatic submissions

Key Features

  • Multi-step filing wizard — guided, jargon-free process from start to finish
  • Automatic profit & loss and balance sheet generation with intelligent tax calculations
  • Dual filing — submit to both HMRC and Companies House from one place
  • Dormant accounts supported at a reduced price
  • Companies House API integration — automatically fetches your company details and filing periods
  • iXBRL accounts generated automatically
  • AI Assistant — get help understanding your filing in plain English
  • REST API — for developers and platforms wanting to automate filings programmatically
  • White-Label Portal — accountants can offer branded filing to their own clients
  • Marginal relief calculated automatically across financial years
  • No subscription required — pay only when you file

Who it's for: Solo directors, small companies, accountants, bookkeepers, and developers who want a modern, no-nonsense filing experience at a fair price.

TinyTax — Budget-Friendly Filing for Micro-Entities

TinyTax is a browser-based tool that offers free dormant company filing and low-cost CT600 submissions for micro-entities.

Pricing: £20 per dormant filing, £59 per trading company filing, or £99 for a portfolio of 2–3 companies.

Strengths

  • Clear, affordable per-filing pricing
  • AI-powered trial balance mapping from Excel/CSV
  • Can pull prior-year CT600 data from HMRC
  • Multi-client dashboard for accountants

Limitations

  • Micro-entities only — your company must meet at least two of: turnover under £1m, balance sheet under £500k, fewer than 10 employees
  • No API access for developers
  • No white-label portal for accountants
  • Limited support for complex scenarios

Verdict: A solid free/low-cost option if you qualify as a micro-entity, but you'll outgrow it quickly if your company doesn't meet the thresholds.

TaxPipe — Pay-Per-Return, No Subscription

TaxPipe positions itself as a simple, one-off filing service — perfect for businesses that file once a year and don't want a recurring subscription.

Pricing: £59 per return (one-time fee).

Strengths

  • No subscription commitment
  • Guided wizard with plain English explanations
  • Automatic iXBRL tagging
  • Direct HMRC submission
  • Handles marginal relief calculations

Limitations

  • £59 per filing — more than double WeFile's £25 trading price
  • No Companies House direct submission (generates iXBRL but you submit separately)
  • No bulk pricing for accountants
  • No API access
  • No AI assistance

Verdict: Decent for a one-off annual filing, but at £59 it's expensive compared to WeFile's £25. If you manage multiple companies, the costs add up quickly.

TaxCalc — Professional-Grade, Higher Price Tag

TaxCalc is a well-established, professional-grade tax software suite popular with accountants and tax advisors.

Pricing: From £130/year for a single company (Limited Company Solo 6 plan). Practice licences are priced higher.

Strengths

  • Two data entry modes: guided "SimpleStep" and HMRC-form facsimile
  • Comprehensive CT600 coverage including all supplementary pages
  • Strong validation and error checking
  • Cloud and desktop versions
  • Companies House filing via dedicated module
  • Integrates with TaxCalc Accounts Production

Limitations

  • £130+/year — overkill if you're a single company
  • Steeper learning curve than wizard-based tools
  • Companies House filing requires a separate module
  • Designed primarily for tax professionals

Verdict: Excellent for accountants who need deep CT600 coverage and already use the TaxCalc ecosystem. But for a single small company, it's overpriced and overcomplicated compared to WeFile.

TaxFiler — Budget-Friendly for Small Practices

TaxFiler offers online accounting and tax software with Corporation Tax filing included in its subscription plans.

Pricing: From £10/month (Startup plan for up to 10 clients) or £20/month (Solo plan for up to 30 clients).

Strengths

  • Very competitive monthly pricing
  • Covers accounts preparation, corporation tax, VAT, and self-assessment
  • Suitable for micro-entities (FRS 105 and FRS 102 1A)
  • Integrates with cloud bookkeeping software
  • Good for small practices managing a handful of clients

Limitations

  • Subscription-based — you pay monthly regardless of filing frequency
  • ~£120–240/year depending on plan
  • Less well-known with a smaller user community
  • Primarily designed for practices, not individual companies

Verdict: TaxFiler is one of the more affordable subscription options, especially for small practices. But if you're a single company filing once a year, WeFile's £25 per filing is still more economical.

The Complete Comparison

Feature WeFile TinyTax TaxPipe TaxCalc TaxFiler
1 trading filing✅ £25£59£59£130/yr£120/yr
Dormant filing✅ £15£20
Portfolio (2–3 company)✅ £50–75£99£118£130/yr£120/yr
Small co. (non-micro)
Direct HMRC submit
Direct CH submit
Guided wizard
Auto tax calculation
Marginal relief
AI Assistant
Developer API
White-Label Portal

Which Software Should You Choose?

The best CT600 filing software depends on your situation:

Choose WeFile if:

  • You want the lowest cost per filing with no subscription
  • You're a small company (not just micro-entities)
  • You're an accountant wanting bulk pricing at £250/year for up to 100 filings
  • You're a developer needing API access for automated filings
  • You want both HMRC and Companies House filing in one place
  • You value a guided, wizard-based experience with AI assistance

Choose TinyTax if:

  • You're a micro-entity looking for the cheapest possible option
  • You have a dormant company and want a budget-friendly £20 filing
  • You manage 2–3 companies and the £99 portfolio deal works for you

Choose TaxPipe if:

  • You file once a year and don't mind paying £59
  • You want a simple, no-account-needed experience

Choose TaxCalc if:

  • You're a tax professional needing comprehensive CT600 coverage
  • You need all supplementary pages and deep validation

Choose TaxFiler if:

  • You run a small practice and want an affordable monthly subscription
  • You need accounts preparation, corporation tax, and VAT in one tool

The Bottom Line

With HMRC's free filing service closing in March 2026, every UK limited company needs a plan. The market offers everything from budget per-filing tools to professional suites costing hundreds per year.

For the vast majority of small businesses and accountants, WeFile offers the best combination of simplicity, affordability, and power:

  • £25 per trading filing — no subscription, no hidden fees
  • £15 for dormant companies — cheaper than every competitor
  • £250/year accountant membership — file up to 100 companies for as little as £2.50 each
  • Both HMRC and Companies House in one workflow
  • AI-powered assistance and a guided wizard that anyone can use
  • Developer API and White-Label Portal for firms wanting to build on top

Get started with WeFile today and file your next CT600 in minutes, not hours.

This comparison was last updated on 1 June 2026. Pricing and features are based on publicly available information and may change. WeFile is committed to transparency — if you spot an inaccuracy, please contact us.