Published Self Assessment fees checked on 21 October 2026 included £179 plus VAT for RJ Accountancy’s basic return and £275 plus VAT at Sleek. These are examples, not an average or equivalent packages. Your quote depends on the income sources, records and extra calculations involved.
Two published fees—and why the scope matters
Checked on 21 October 2026, RJ Accountancy’s fee schedule listed a basic personal return at £179 plus VAT, with business accounts and rental calculations charged separately. Sleek’s guide advertised its Self Assessment service at £275 plus VAT. These are examples of actual advertised fees, not equivalent services or a UK average.
Confirm any VAT shown, eligibility and extra work with the provider. A quote for one straightforward income source should not be treated as a price for a property disposal, several years of missing returns or complex crypto calculations.
What should your own quote cover?
- The tax year and each income source.
- Preparation, questions, review and submission after your approval.
- Whether business bookkeeping or rental calculations are included.
- Any extra schedules, specialist calculations or earlier-year corrections.
- The total payable, including applicable VAT, and when payment is due.
Keep the written quote. A larger headline discount is not useful if it leaves out the work you need. Company accounts are also separate from a director’s personal return.
Get a better quote by describing the job
For example: “I need my 2025/26 return, with PAYE income and one rental property. I have the P60 and agent statements. The property was not sold. Does the fee include the rental calculation and filing?” Add any overseas income, gains, missing records or HMRC notices before buying.
Can you deduct the accountant’s fee?
HMRC distinguishes business accountancy costs from preparing and submitting a personal Self Assessment return. Its guidance lists personal-return preparation and submission as non-allowable. If an invoice covers business accounts and personal-return work, ask for a clear description so any business element can be assessed; do not deduct the whole bill automatically.
Choosing TaxSimba
Check TaxSimba’s current SA packages for the actual price and included work. A fee pays for the agreed preparation and support. It cannot guarantee a refund: that depends on your income, reliefs and tax already paid.
Match the quote to your situation
| Your situation | Work to name in the quote |
|---|---|
| PAYE plus a small trade | Personal return, business profit calculation and any bookkeeping needed. |
| PAYE plus rental income | Rental calculation, ownership share and finance-cost treatment. |
| Property sold or investments disposed of | Disposal calculations and any separate property-reporting work. |
| Missing earlier years | A price and filing plan for each year, rather than one undated return fee. |
For a one-off fee, enter one payment in the comparison tool. Leave additional costs at zero only when the provider confirms they do not apply. A specialist case can need a separate quote even where the basic return is inexpensive.
Compare the same tax-return job
Illustrative example.
Consider an invented £120 quote that excludes a separate £60 bookkeeping tidy-up and an invented £180 quote that includes the same tidy-up. Their totals are both £180, assuming identical work and any applicable VAT are included. A headline difference has disappeared once the scope is matched.
Now suppose the client also sold a rental property. Neither price should be assumed to include a separate property-disposal report. List that event before accepting either quote, rather than expecting a routine annual return to cover every reporting task.
| Check | Practical action |
|---|---|
| Annual return | Identify the year and all income sources included. |
| Bookkeeping preparation | Check whether records must arrive reconciled or whether tidying is included. |
| Separate reporting | Ask about disposals, historic corrections and specialist calculations. |
Does a higher fee mean more tax will be saved?
A fee does not establish entitlement to a deduction or relief. Compare the work and expertise required for your facts, rather than an unverified saving promise.
What if I find another income source after paying?
Tell the accountant before approving the return. Confirm whether the extra work changes the scope or price.
Download a checklist for this guide
- Return year
- Employment, business, rental and other income
- Record condition and missing documents
- Disposals or earlier-return corrections
- Preparation, review and filing included in quote