How much does an accountant cost for a tax return?

There is no single price for “a tax return.” Fees reflect complexity: one employment and a bit of interest is not the same as rental portfolios, locum shifts and a limited company.

What usually drives the fee

• Number of income sources (employment, self-employment, property, dividends, foreign income)
• Quality of the records you supply — tidy books cost less than reconstructing a year from bank statements
• Whether accounts need preparing before the return (sole traders and companies)
• Extra filings such as VAT, payroll or a 60-day Capital Gains Tax return on a property sale
• Advice during the year, not only a once-a-year submission

A Self Assessment return for a straightforward employee will sit at the lower end. Landlords with several properties, or clinicians with mixed NHS and private income, sit higher because the property pages or income split need proper work.

Fixed fees vs hourly

Many small firms, including us, prefer an agreed fixed fee once we understand your situation. That way you know the cost before work starts, rather than watching a meter. Scope should be written down — what is included, what would trigger an extra charge, and when payment is due.

Beware quotes that look cheap until every property, pension statement or amended return is billed as an add-on.

Value beyond the filing

The return itself is the visible deliverable. The useful part is often the review beforehand: are you claiming allowable expenses, using the right structure, and avoiding underpayment penalties?

If you want a clear fixed-fee quote for Self Assessment or company filings, get in touch with a short outline of your income sources and we will tell you what it would cost.