Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick answer: QuickFile is cloud accounting software targeted at small business UK users. UK-developed. Free tier for low transaction volumes. MTD-compatible. Recognised by HMRC for Making Tax Digital.QuickFile: UK-developed. Free tier for low transaction volumes. MTD-compatible. Category: cloud accounting. Target market: small business.
HMRC recognises QuickFile for Making Tax Digital submissions; the current MTD-recognised software list is maintained at gov.uk.
What QuickFile does
QuickFile is positioned as cloud accounting aimed at small business. The core features cover the standard tasks in that category: bookkeeping, invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, VAT return preparation and MTD submission, and customer / supplier ledgers.
Integration with UK banking is normally via Open Banking feeds (Tide, Starling, Monzo, NatWest, Barclays, etc.) or via Yodlee/Plaid aggregators. UK payment processing integrates with Stripe, GoCardless, Worldpay and similar.
Pricing tiers normally start at a free or low-cost basic plan and scale to higher tiers with multi-user, project tracking, multi-currency, fixed assets and advanced reporting. Per-user-per-month is the typical SaaS pricing model.
UK regulatory compliance: MTD and GDPR
Making Tax Digital for VAT applies to all VAT-registered businesses since April 2022 regardless of turnover. The software must keep digital records and submit returns through HMRC-recognised software.
MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment phases in from April 2026 (qualifying income over £50,000) and April 2027 (over £30,000). Sole traders and landlords above the threshold must use compatible software from the relevant date.
UK GDPR applies to any software handling personal data. The software provider is normally a Data Processor; you (the business) are the Data Controller. The Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is required under Article 28 UK GDPR; check before committing.
Security and data hosting considerations
For HR and finance data, look for SOC 2 Type II and/or ISO 27001 certification. UK or EU hosting is preferable post-Brexit for simpler transfer compliance. The UK adequacy decision with the EU remains in place but is reviewed periodically.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now standard for business software; insist on it being enabled for all users. Single Sign-On (SSO) integration matters if you use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Backup, export and offboarding: confirm before purchase that you can export data in a usable format (CSV, Excel, SQL dump) at any time. Software lock-in is a real risk.
Choosing between QuickFile and alternatives
Pilot before committing. Most UK business software offers a free trial (typically 30 days) or a free starter tier. Use the pilot to test: actual workflows you use daily, bank feed reliability, the quality of support response, and integration with your existing stack.
Switching cost: data export, training, integration changes all add up. Plan switches around the year-end to avoid mid-year reconciliation problems.
For accounting software specifically: the HMRC software list at gov.uk identifies MTD-recognised products. Free or low-cost options for small users include FreeAgent (free with NatWest/RBS/Mettle), QuickFile (free tier), and Pandle (free tier).
Support, training and accountant integration
UK-hours support matters: check whether the provider offers UK-time phone or chat support, not just email or chatbot. Reviews on Trustpilot and G2 give a sense of real-world experience.
Accountant access: most cloud accounting products offer a free accountant or advisor login. Your accountant can see your books, file VAT returns, prepare year-end accounts, all without exporting data.
Training: most providers offer free webinars, video tutorials and a knowledge base. ICAEW, ACCA and AAT all provide independent training on the major UK accounting platforms.
Where to get further help and how to escalate
If the council cannot resolve your Council Tax issue through its own complaints process, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, an independent body that investigates complaints about local councils. The Ombudsman is free to use and does not require legal representation.
For independent debt advice on Council Tax arrears, free help is available from Citizens Advice (national phone line, webchat and in-person service), National Debtline (free phone line and webchat run by the Money Advice Trust) and StepChange (free phone line and online advice). All three can speak to the council on your behalf with your written authority.
For premium-rate phone number complaints, the Phone-paid Services Authority handles regulation of premium rate services in the UK. For Council Tax scams or fraudulent demands, report to Action Fraud, the UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
If you are facing enforcement and need to pause the collection process to get advice, the Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) provides up to 60 days of legal protection from creditor action while you work with a debt adviser. A separate Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts as long as you are receiving treatment for a mental health crisis, plus 30 days afterwards.
The council must, under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, make reasonable adjustments for residents with disabilities. Ask for the format that works for you (large print, audio, Braille, BSL interpretation, plain English) if the standard channels are not accessible.
If you have moved house recently and you are unsure whether the old or the new council is the right one to contact, check both: each council's online "Council Tax when you move" page sets out the date from which it considers you liable. The old council closes the account at your move-out date and the new council opens an account from your move-in date; the two are normally the same day, and any gap is dealt with by the owner of the empty property.
For Council Tax questions specific to your circumstances (self-employed income, disability registration, recent bereavement, complex household arrangements, foster placements, military service or shared custody), ask the council in writing or by phone rather than relying on a general guide. The council's benefits team handles individual assessments and can give a binding answer for your account.
If the council's decision is final and you disagree, the Valuation Tribunal for England (and the equivalents in Wales and Scotland) hears appeals on liability and banding free of charge. You do not need legal representation; the tribunal is designed for unrepresented applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Making Tax Digital?
HMRC's programme to digitise UK tax. MTD for VAT applies to all VAT-registered businesses (since April 2022). MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment phases in from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000.
Do I need HMRC-recognised software for VAT?
Yes, if VAT-registered. The HMRC software list at gov.uk identifies recognised products. Bridging software lets you submit from spreadsheets if the spreadsheet keeps digital records compliant with MTD rules.
What are the UK GDPR rules for business software?
Software processing personal data must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Data Processing Agreement (DPA) under Article 28 is required between you (Controller) and the software provider (Processor).
How long should business records be kept?
HMRC requires accounting records for at least 6 years (companies) or 5 years from the 31 January submission deadline (self-employed). VAT records: 6 years. Payroll: 3 years for HMRC, longer for employee dispute purposes.
Where can I get free advice on UK business software?
Trade bodies (Federation of Small Businesses, ICAEW, ACCA, AAT), the HMRC software list at gov.uk, and free trials let you test before committing. Independent reviews on Trustpilot and G2.
How We Verified This
UK business software framework verified against HMRC Making Tax Digital guidance, the UK GDPR (UK Data Protection Act 2018), HMRC PAYE Real Time Information guidance, the Pensions Act 2008 (auto-enrolment), and the published HMRC list of MTD-recognised software.
