File MTD ITSA vs AbraTax
AbraTax is the most similar competitor to File MTD ITSA — both are web-based platforms that support all three qualifying income sources. AbraTax is currently free during its pilot phase and slightly cheaper at full price (£60/yr vs £69/yr). However, AbraTax's final declaration and agent features are still in development, while File MTD ITSA offers the complete MTD lifecycle and a production-ready firm portal today. If you need the full workflow now, File MTD ITSA is ready. If you're an early adopter comfortable with an evolving platform, AbraTax's free pilot is worth exploring.
Platform & Workflow
Both platforms are web-based, which immediately sets them apart from spreadsheet-only competitors. However, the data entry approach differs significantly.
File MTD ITSA uses native data entry — you type your income and expenses directly into the quarterly dashboard. The platform categorises everything according to HMRC's required fields, validates your figures, and submits to HMRC via its API. There's no spreadsheet involved unless you choose to import via CSV.
AbraTax uses a spreadsheet bridging approach layered on top of a web interface. You download their Excel or Google Sheets template, enter your figures in the spreadsheet (or link it to your existing bookkeeping records using formulas), then upload the completed template to AbraTax's website for review and submission. The web dashboard handles the HMRC connection, but the data entry still happens in a spreadsheet.
Why it matters
AbraTax's approach is good for users who want to keep their bookkeeping in spreadsheets while still getting a web-based submission interface. File MTD ITSA's approach removes the spreadsheet step entirely — useful for users who'd rather not manage a template download/upload cycle every quarter. Both are valid approaches; the right one depends on whether you see the spreadsheet as a feature or a friction point.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | File MTD ITSA | AbraTax |
|---|---|---|
| Platform type | Web app, native data entry | Web app, spreadsheet template upload |
| UK property income | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-employment income | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foreign property income | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quarterly submissions | ✓ One-click | ✓ After template upload |
| Final Declaration | ✓ Available now | Coming soon |
| Non-mandated income sources | ✗ | In development |
| BSAS support | ✓ | Not mentioned |
| Annual adjustments | ✓ | Not mentioned separately |
| On-demand tax calculations | ✓ | ✓ Live |
| Deadline reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Submission receipts | ✓ Export | |
| Built-in validations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Team collaboration | ✓ Via firm portal | ✓ Share access with spouse/accountant |
| Firm/agent portal | ✓ Full — live now | In development |
| Client impersonation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firm branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Compliance dashboard | ✓ Cross-client | ✗ |
| PDF reports | ✓ Professional branded | Not mentioned |
| Unlimited amendments | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing
AbraTax and File MTD ITSA are close in price. AbraTax charges £5/month (£60/year) for an individual, £10/month for a family plan covering up to 10 people, and £20/month for an extended plan supporting up to 50 registrations. Critically, AbraTax is currently free during its pilot phase — you can use it at no cost while testing.
File MTD ITSA charges £69/year for the individual DIY plan. There are also Assisted (£199/year) and Done For You (£399/year) tiers that include accountant review and full-service filing — offerings AbraTax doesn't have. Firm plans are £299/year (up to 25 clients) or £599/year (unlimited).
At the individual level, the £9/year difference between AbraTax's full pricing and File MTD ITSA's DIY plan is negligible. The free pilot is a bigger draw — but it's worth considering what happens when the pilot ends and whether the feature set will be complete by then.
Family and group pricing
AbraTax's family plan (£10/month for up to 10 people) is notably good value for couples or families where multiple members need to file MTD returns. File MTD ITSA doesn't offer a family bundle — each individual needs their own plan at £69/year. If you're a household with two or three people filing, AbraTax's family plan is more cost-effective.
Feature Completeness
This is the most important difference between the two platforms right now. File MTD ITSA covers the complete MTD Income Tax lifecycle: quarterly submissions, BSAS adjustments, annual adjustments and allowances, and the year-end Final Declaration. The firm portal — with client impersonation, compliance tracking, branding, and team accounts — is live and available today.
AbraTax covers quarterly submissions and live tax calculations, but their Final Declaration feature is marked as "coming soon" and their agent/firm features are "in development." Non-mandated income sources are also flagged as in development. This means you cannot currently complete the full MTD tax year cycle on AbraTax alone.
For the April 2026 mandate, you need software that can handle the entire lifecycle — quarterly updates through to Final Declaration. If AbraTax completes its development in time, this gap closes. But as of today, File MTD ITSA is the more complete option.
For Accountancy Firms
If you're an accountancy practice evaluating these platforms, the choice is straightforward right now. File MTD ITSA has a production-ready firm portal. AbraTax's agent features are not yet available — they invite accountants to contact them for early access.
File MTD ITSA's firm tools include a multi-client dashboard, client impersonation for filing on behalf, firm-branded PDFs and emails, cross-client compliance tracking, deadline alerts, client grouping, team member accounts with role-based access (admin/manager/preparer), and bulk reporting. This is designed for practices that need to manage MTD filings at scale.
AbraTax's collaboration features (sharing access with a spouse or accountant) are useful for individuals who want their accountant to review their work, but this isn't the same as a full agent portal with centralised client management.
Track Record & Maturity
Both platforms are relatively new entrants in the MTD ITSA market. Neither has the decades-long track record of established players like Absolute Accounting Software or the 35,000+ user base of 123 Sheets' VAT product.
AbraTax also offers MTD for VAT and Self Assessment products alongside their ITSA tool, which suggests they're building a broader tax filing platform. File MTD ITSA is focused specifically on MTD for Income Tax.
The free pilot is a strength and a question mark simultaneously. It's great for testing and removes financial risk, but it also suggests the product is still being refined. Products in pilot phases change — features get added, interfaces shift, and pricing may evolve. If you need stability and a locked-in feature set, a product that's past the pilot stage may be more predictable.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose File MTD ITSA if you:
- Need the complete MTD lifecycle available now (quarterly through to Final Declaration)
- Run an accountancy firm and need a multi-client management portal today
- Prefer native data entry in a web dashboard (no spreadsheet template)
- Want professional branded PDF reports for clients
- Need BSAS support for adjusting quarterly summaries
- Want accountant review tiers (Assisted/Done For You)
Choose AbraTax if you:
- Want to start testing MTD ITSA for free during the pilot phase
- Prefer a spreadsheet bridging approach with a web interface on top
- Have a family or household with multiple people needing to file (family plan)
- Are comfortable with an evolving product that's still adding features
- Want to keep your bookkeeping in spreadsheets but submit via a web dashboard
- Don't need firm portal features or Final Declaration right now