1
Record as you go
Log income and expenses in the locked HMRC-shape workbook. It rolls your four cumulative quarters automatically and keeps a valid digital record, which is all HMRC asks for.
The position
HMRC officially permits a spreadsheet plus bridging software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Every other UK accounting brand will still sell you a £7 to £15 a month subscription anyway.
You don't need one. The Sole Trader Tax Workspace is the MTD-ready workbook that runs the spreadsheet path end to end. You keep the files. You pay once.
How the spreadsheet path works
Three steps to a compliant submission.
No subscription, no account login, no data held hostage.
2
Bridge to HMRC
Pick a bridging tool from the shortlist in the pack. It reads your spreadsheet totals and submits them to HMRC's API. Free and one-time-paid options are compared, no subscription required.
3
Submit on the dates
The quarterly checklist and deadline calendar tell you exactly what to reconcile and when to file: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, 7 May, then the Final Declaration in January.
What's in the workbook
The Sole Trader Tax Workspace, MTD edition.
Compatible with Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets and LibreOffice. All yours to keep.
The quarterly workbook
Locked HMRC-shape template. Four cumulative quarters auto-rolling, with self-employment income, property income and allowable expenses, pre-filled with current tax bands.
Combined income calculator
Enter self-employment turnover plus property income, get your combined qualifying income, your phase mandate date and the next step. Handles joint-property cases for couples.
Bridging-software shortlist
HMRC-recognised bridging tools that work with your spreadsheet. Free and one-time-paid options compared, plus a set-up walkthrough for the top pick.
Quarterly checklist
One-page submission-day checklist: what to review, what to reconcile, what to keep, what to submit. Print it and stick it on the fridge.
Deadline calendar feed
Subscribe in Apple Calendar, Google Calendar or Outlook. Every quarterly deadline and Final Declaration, updated when HMRC moves dates.
Expense categories reference
All ten SA103 HMRC categories with worked examples. What goes where, what's allowable, what gets disallowed. Lifetime updates when the rules change.
The cost over three years
Same job done. One payment.
| Path | Three-year cost | Lock-in |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Sole Trader | £180 to £432 | Monthly subscription, access ends if you stop |
| Xero Starter (UK) | £360+ | Monthly subscription, data held in their account |
| FreshBooks Lite | £540+ | Monthly subscription |
| Sage Accounting | £540+ | Monthly subscription |
| Sole Trader Tax Workspace | £19 once | Yours forever. No subscription, no login, no account |
SaaS prices from current UK pricing pages as of May 2026. Bridging software adds a £0 to £30 one-time fee depending on which option you pick.
Common questions
The spreadsheet path, answered.
Is this really HMRC-compliant?
Yes. HMRC's own guidance permits spreadsheet plus bridging software as a valid MTD for Income Tax submission path. The pack includes a shortlist of HMRC-recognised bridging tools. GOV.UK source.
Do I need to buy the bridging software separately?
You need one bridging tool. The pack lists free options and one-time-paid options at roughly £15 to £30. You won't be paying a monthly subscription either way.
What if I'm not yet mandated for MTD?
The workbook works for voluntary sign-up too. Same templates, same bridging guidance. Use it to practise before your phase date. The £20k threshold lands April 2028.
What if the rules change?
We update the templates when HMRC moves rates, thresholds or deadlines, and you re-download. Lifetime updates are built into the price.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. 30-day refund, no questions. If it doesn't work for you, email hello@externalos.com and we send the money back.
Will my accountant be okay with this?
Most are. Some prefer clients on a SaaS so they can pull data directly. If yours insists, the workbook exports to CSV in two clicks and the bridging software submits in three. We aren't trying to replace your accountant.
Pay once, keep it forever
Get the workbook that does the spreadsheet path.
The Sole Trader Tax Workspace: locked HMRC-shape template, bridging-software shortlist, quarterly checklist, deadline calendar, lifetime updates. 30-day refund. No subscription.
UK buyers: VAT included. Checkout handled by Payhip.