VitalTax

VitalTax is HMRC-recognised bridging software that connects Excel and Google Sheets directly to HMRC for Making Tax Digital submissions, letting sole traders keep their existing spreadsheet without switching to a full accounting package.

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At a glance

VitalTax is bridging software delivered as an add-in for Excel and Google Sheets, so you keep working in the spreadsheet you already use, while VitalTax handles the digital link to HMRC and submits your quarterly updates and final declaration for Making Tax Digital.

£30/yr

Excel & Sheets

Individual licence

Excel & Sheets add-in

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What is VitalTax?

VitalTax is UK bridging software built for Making Tax Digital, delivered as an add-in that works inside Excel and Google Sheets. Rather than replacing your spreadsheet with a new accounting system, it plugs into the spreadsheet you already use, pulling the figures you need into HMRC’s required format and submitting them on your behalf. It’s aimed at sole traders and their accountants who are comfortable working in spreadsheets and want to avoid the cost and disruption of moving to a full accounting platform.

Is VitalTax HMRC-recognised?

Yes. VitalTax is listed on HMRC’s official register of software recognised for Making Tax Digital, and it’s used by accountants as well as individual sole traders, including for handling submissions across multiple clients. As always, it’s worth checking HMRC’s live software finder for VitalTax’s current recognition status before committing for a full tax year.

How does VitalTax handle MTD for Income Tax?

Digital record keeping: you continue working in Excel or Google Sheets, with VitalTax acting as the add-in that reads your figures
Quarterly updates: VitalTax pulls the relevant totals from your spreadsheet and submits each quarterly update directly to HMRC, maintaining the digital link HMRC requires
Final declaration: at year end, VitalTax helps combine your quarterly updates with any other income or reliefs so you can submit your final declaration by 31 January
Multi-client support: accountants managing several sole trader clients can use VitalTax to handle submissions across multiple spreadsheets from one place

Key features

HMRC-recognised bridging software delivered as an Excel and Google Sheets add-in
Maintains the digital link between your spreadsheet records and your HMRC submission, as required under MTD rules
Multi-client functionality aimed at accountants and bookkeepers as well as individual sole traders
Lower cost than switching to a full accounting platform, since it works with records you already keep

Pricing

VitalTax prices individual sole traders separately from accountants managing multiple clients.

Individual licence - £30/year (plus VAT, £36 including VAT)

One licence, all your own income:

Covers all your businesses and properties under one National Insurance number
No extra charge per business or property
Add-in for Excel or Google Sheets, no new software to learn

Accountant / multi-client licence - from around £90/year (plus VAT)

For accountants managing several sole trader clients:

Unlimited licence covering all your clients
Published figures vary between sources (roughly £90 to £198 plus VAT a year), so confirm the current rate directly on vitaltax.uk
Submissions handled from one place across multiple client spreadsheets

Pros and cons

Pros:

Lets you keep working in Excel or Google Sheets rather than learning a new accounting system
HMRC-recognised specifically for MTD bridging, with a track record of use by accountants
Multi-client support makes it a practical option if your accountant manages your MTD submissions
Generally cheaper than full accounting platforms for straightforward record keeping needs

Cons:

You’re still responsible for the underlying bookkeeping in your spreadsheet, with no bank feeds or automation built in
Less suited to sole traders who want invoicing, receipt scanning or bank reconciliation alongside MTD compliance
Multi-client pricing for accountants varies between sources - worth confirming the current rate directly on vitaltax.uk
Spreadsheet-based workflows rely on your own discipline to keep records accurate and up to date

Who is VitalTax best for MTD for Income Tax?

VitalTax is a strong option if you already keep your books in Excel or Google Sheets and don’t want to pay for or learn a full accounting platform. It’s HMRC-recognised, works as a lightweight add-in, and is also used by accountants managing multiple clients. If you’d rather have bank feeds, invoicing and receipt scanning built in alongside your MTD compliance, a full accounting package will likely suit you better.

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Frequently asked questions

Is VitalTax free for Making Tax Digital?

No. An individual licence is £30 a year (plus VAT), covering all your businesses and properties under one National Insurance number. Accountants managing multiple clients pay more for an unlimited licence - check VitalTax’s website for the current rate.

Does VitalTax work with Google Sheets as well as Excel?

Yes. VitalTax is available as an add-in for both Excel and Google Sheets.

Can my accountant use VitalTax to submit MTD updates for me?

Yes. VitalTax includes multi-client functionality aimed at accountants and bookkeepers managing MTD submissions for several sole trader clients.

What is bridging software, and how is it different from a full accounting package?

Bridging software like VitalTax connects your existing spreadsheet records to HMRC’s MTD system without replacing how you keep your books. A full accounting package like Xero or QuickBooks replaces your spreadsheet with its own bookkeeping system, including bank feeds and automation.

When do I need to start using MTD-compliant software like VitalTax?

Sole traders with qualifying income above £50,000 needed to comply from April 2026. Those with income between £30,000 and £50,000 must join from April 2027.

Compare MTD software for sole traders

VitalTax is one option among several worth comparing. Browse the full MTD Software directory to compare it against 123 Sheets, Xero, QuickBooks and other HMRC-recognised options.

Pricing and offers correct at time of publication. Always check the VitalTax website for current pricing and promotional terms before signing up.