For sole traders

Accounting software for UK sole traders

If you're freelance, a contractor, in the trades, or running a one-person shop — AccLedger handles the bookkeeping, the mileage, the home-office claim, and the tax return. Quarterly MTD updates and the full self assessment, ready from April 2026 and beyond.

Start free for 90 daysSee pricing

From £7.50/month or £75/year · 90-day free trial · No credit card

Bank feeds via open banking

Connect your business bank account through GoCardless. Transactions flow in automatically; AccLedger suggests categories and you confirm with a tap.

Mileage made easy

Log business mileage on your phone. AccLedger applies HMRC-approved per-mile rates and adds the claim to your self-employment figures automatically.

Home-office allowance

Use the simplified flat-rate or actual-cost method for working from home. AccLedger calculates and posts it to your books each month.

Real-time tax estimate

See your projected income tax and Class 2/4 NIC after every transaction. Apply your personal allowance, payments on account, and reliefs in real time.

MTD ITSA built-in

When the threshold catches you (£50k April 2026, £30k April 2027, £20k April 2028), AccLedger files the four quarterly updates, the EOPS, and the final declaration.

Receipt capture

Snap a receipt with your phone, AccLedger reads the merchant, total and VAT, and attaches it to the matching bank transaction.

Designed around how sole traders actually work

You don't want to learn double-entry accounting. AccLedger keeps the bookkeeping behind the scenes and shows you what matters: how much you earned, how much you owe HMRC, and how much you can take home.

  • Plain-English dashboard with cash on hand, money owed to you, and tax estimate
  • Quick-add invoice from your phone — paid by your customer in two taps
  • Cash basis by default (the right choice for most sole traders)
  • Simplified expenses comparison — see if flat-rate or actual saves more

Self assessment, end to end

Whether your tax year falls before or after MTD ITSA mandate, AccLedger files the right return. Pre-fills SA103 self-employment from your live books. Add SA102 employment, SA105 property, SA108 capital gains and any other supplementary you need.

  • SA103 (short or full) pre-filled from your year's books
  • SA102 employment income added if you also have a job
  • SA108 capital gains for any disposals during the year
  • Final declaration consolidates everything once MTD ITSA applies to you

CIS, VAT, and the messy real-world stuff

In the trades and being deducted under CIS? VAT-registered with the flat-rate scheme? AccLedger handles the moving parts that bigger accounting tools treat as edge cases.

  • CIS deductions tracked through the year and claimed on SA103
  • Flat-rate, cash, and standard VAT schemes all supported
  • Multiple sole trades and a rental property on one return — no problem
  • IR35 deemed-employment treatment where applicable

Bring your accountant if you have one

Some sole traders prefer to do it themselves. Others want their accountant to check the figures or take it over completely. AccLedger supports both — invite your accountant at no extra cost.

  • Accountant invitation is free
  • Accountant can review every supplementary form before submission
  • Or have them do the whole thing for you — they see the same data
  • Accountancy firms can run AccLedger across many clients via the partner programme

Frequently asked questions

How much does AccLedger cost for a sole trader?
The Sole Trader plan is £7.50 per month or £75 per year (which is two months free). It includes MTD ITSA, automated bank feeds, unlimited invoicing and expenses, real-time tax estimates, and an invite for your accountant.
Do I need to use AccLedger if my income is below the MTD threshold?
You're not legally required to use MTD-recognised software until your gross self-employment + property income passes the threshold (£50k from April 2026, £30k from April 2027, £20k from April 2028). But the bookkeeping, expense tracking, and self assessment workflow are valuable for any sole trader regardless of MTD.
Can I switch from another accounting app?
Yes. You can import opening balances, customers, and historical transactions. We have done this with users moving from Xero, FreeAgent, QuickBooks and spreadsheets. Most migrations take under an hour.
What if I'm only employed part of the year and self-employed the rest?
AccLedger handles both income sources on the same return — SA102 for employment (one page per employer with full benefits and expenses) and SA103 for self-employment. The final declaration combines them.
Is mileage capture done from a phone?
Yes. Log mileage on your phone or computer. AccLedger applies the HMRC-approved per-mile rate (currently 45p for the first 10,000 miles, 25p thereafter) and adds the claim to your self-employment expenses.
Is cash basis or accruals better for me?
Cash basis is simpler and HMRC sets it as the default for unincorporated businesses under MTD ITSA from April 2024. It usually suits sole traders unless you carry stock or invoice large jobs in advance. AccLedger lets you choose either.
Can I claim home-office costs?
Yes. AccLedger supports both the simplified flat-rate (a fixed monthly amount based on hours worked from home) and the actual-cost method (a proportion of your real bills). It compares the two so you can see which gives a bigger deduction.

Explore more

Self assessment & SA100

The full feature deep-dive on every supplementary form and the MTD ITSA workflow.

Learn more

MTD ITSA software

Quarterly updates, EOPS and final declaration explained.

Learn more

For landlords

If you also rent out property, see the landlord-specific workflow.

Learn more

Take the bookkeeping off your plate

Try AccLedger free for 90 days. Connect your bank, log a few expenses, and see how much you owe HMRC before the year is even halfway through.

Start free for 90 daysSee pricing

From £7.50/month or £75/year · 90-day free trial · No credit card