Key takeaways
- TaxCalc, BTCSoftware and IRIS Elements all prepare and file the SA100, SA800 and CT600, with trust returns available from each.
- TaxCalc publishes banded prices, from £187 a year for 12 individual returns to £919 a year for 1,000 SA100 and 100 SA800 returns, checked 6 November 2026.
- TaxCalc Corporation Tax costs from £235 a year for up to 12 CT600 returns to £965 for up to 1,000.
- IRIS Elements Tax is cloud software advertised from £10 a month on a 12-month contract, with Essentials, Professional and Enterprise plans.
- BTCSoftware does not publish prices; it offers flexible plans including monthly subscriptions, and its sales line is 0345 241 5030.
- TaxCalc is desktop software with an optional cloud-hosted CloudConnect; BTCSoftware installs on a network or standalone with a cloud option; IRIS Elements is cloud-native.
- Each supplier sells a Making Tax Digital product: TaxCalc MTD Quarterly Filer, IRIS Elements with MTD on every tax plan, and BTCSoftware's cloud MTD for VAT.
TaxCalc, BTCSoftware and IRIS all sell professional tax return software for UK practices, covering personal, partnership, trust and corporation tax returns. The clearest differences are how they are delivered and how they price: TaxCalc is desktop software with published client-band prices, IRIS Elements is cloud software sold by monthly or annual plan, and BTCSoftware prices on quote. This comparison sets out the facts side by side; it does not pick a winner.
All prices were checked on the providers’ own websites on 6 November 2026.
How do the three compare at a glance?
The three products cover the same core HMRC returns but differ in delivery and pricing.
| Product | Delivery | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| BTCSoftware | Network or standalone, cloud option | Not published; monthly plans available |
| IRIS Elements | Cloud-native | From £10 a month, 12-month contract |
| TaxCalc | Desktop, optional CloudConnect | Published annual price by return band |
Which returns does each one file?
Each covers the main self assessment and company returns. TaxCalc says its Tax Return Production prepares and files the SA100, SA800, SA900 and CT600, plus the R40, with all supplementary pages included.
BTCSoftware sells separate Individual, Partnership, Trust and Corporation Tax modules. Its individual tax return page covers SA100 forms including Scottish rates, a capital allowance calculator and links to its partnership and trust software.
IRIS Elements Tax covers the SA100, SA800 and CT600 on every plan. CT600 supplementary pages B, D, E, H and J need the Professional plan, and CT600N needs Enterprise. Trust returns (SA900) are a separate product, IRIS Elements Trust Tax.
What does each cost?
Only TaxCalc publishes a full price list. Its shop lists these annual prices for tax return production:
| TaxCalc product | Returns included | Price a year |
|---|---|---|
| Individual 12 | 12 SA100 | £187 |
| Individual and Partnership 30-2 | 30 SA100, 2 SA800 | £235 |
| Individual and Partnership 150-15 | 150 SA100, 15 SA800 | £481 |
| Individual and Partnership 1000-100 | 1,000 SA100, 100 SA800 | £919 |
| Corporation Tax 12 | Up to 12 CT600 | £235 |
| Corporation Tax 1000 | Up to 1,000 CT600 | £965 |
| Tax 12-5-5 bundle | 12 SA100, 5 SA800, 5 CT600 | £371 |
Extra concurrent users cost £178 each. The shop does not clearly say whether VAT is included, so confirm at checkout.
IRIS advertises Elements Tax “from £10/month” with no set-up fees, a 12-month contract and a 30-day free trial. Its plan cards say to contact IRIS for pricing, and the Essentials minimum covers up to five clients or users. Trust Tax starts from £22.67 a month.
BTCSoftware offers “flexible price plans, including monthly subscriptions” but lists no figures. Call 0345 241 5030 or request a quote.
Desktop or cloud?
This is the main practical difference between the three.
- TaxCalc says plainly: “TaxCalc is desktop software, but CloudConnect offers a cloud-hosted alternative.” CloudConnect stores practice data in the UK.
- BTCSoftware installs for network or standalone use, and says its software “is also available in a cloud-based option”, set up by its technical team.
- IRIS Elements is cloud software you reach through a browser. IRIS also sells the desktop IRIS Accountancy Suite for firms that prefer it.
Making Tax Digital support
All three suppliers sell MTD products, but check the detail for MTD for Income Tax, which started on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000.
- TaxCalc sells MTD Quarterly Filer, which it says helps practices “meet MTD for Income Tax deadlines without forcing clients off their spreadsheets”.
- IRIS lists Making Tax Digital on every Elements Tax plan and calls it MTD for ITSA-ready.
- BTCSoftware’s product pages we checked mention a cloud MTD for VAT product but not MTD for Income Tax, so ask before you buy.
Our MTD for Income Tax software guide lists other HMRC-recognised options.
Who does each suit?
Each product fits a different type of practice. These are fit descriptions, not a ranking.
- TaxCalc suits firms that want a published price they can budget for by return volume, and are happy with desktop software or CloudConnect.
- BTCSoftware suits firms that want modular desktop or network software linked to accounts production and practice management, and are willing to get a quote.
- IRIS Elements suits firms that want browser-based software with monthly-style plans, and those already using other IRIS products.
- If you prepare trust returns, compare TaxCalc’s Trust bands (from £246 a year for 150) with IRIS Trust Tax and BTCSoftware’s Trust module.
What to check before you switch
- Count last year’s returns by type, then price each supplier’s band or plan against that number.
- Ask how prior-year data and client records will migrate.
- Confirm MTD for Income Tax agent support for your client list.
- Check the contract length, renewal price and extra user charges.
- Use the free trial on a real client file before committing.
For accounts production, see accounts production software compared, and for other head-to-heads, IRIS vs CCH. Our tax software hub covers the wider market.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, TaxCalc or IRIS?
It depends on your volume and plan. TaxCalc publishes annual prices from £187 for 12 individual returns, while IRIS advertises Elements Tax from £10 a month but asks firms to contact it for plan prices.
Is TaxCalc cloud based?
No. TaxCalc describes itself as desktop software, with CloudConnect as an optional cloud-hosted way to store and reach practice data.
Does BTCSoftware publish its prices?
No. BTCSoftware says it offers flexible price plans, including monthly subscriptions, and asks firms to request a quote on 0345 241 5030.
Can IRIS Elements file corporation tax returns?
Yes. IRIS Elements Tax files the CT600 on every plan, with some supplementary pages needing the Professional or Enterprise plan.
Do all three support MTD for Income Tax?
TaxCalc and IRIS describe MTD for Income Tax support on their sites. The BTCSoftware pages we checked mention only MTD for VAT, so confirm with BTCSoftware.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.