Published prices for an accountant to file a VAT return range from about £29 per return at low-cost online firms (ExpertSure check, September 2026) to an estimated £50 to £250 per return (Better Account, June 2026). The Accountancy Partnership lists VAT returns from £35 a month, excluding VAT (July 2026).
How much does a VAT return cost? With a UK accountant, published prices run from about £29 per return at low-cost online firms to an estimated £250 per return for busier or more complex businesses. Some firms charge monthly instead, from £35 a month. The number of transactions and the state of your records decide where you land.
House Of Accounts does not publish a price list. We quote after a short scope call, with all costs listed upfront. The prices below are other firms' published prices and estimates, each with its source and month.
Published VAT return prices
| Source | Price | Basis | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two online fixed-fee firms (Cheaper Accountant, Taxez) | £29 to £30 | Per VAT return, as an extra to accounts | ExpertSure, September 2026 |
| The Accountancy Partnership | From £35 a month, excluding VAT | Add-on to an accounts package | Firm's website, July 2026 |
| Better Account (estimate) | £50 to £250 | Per VAT return | June 2026 |
| Better Account (estimate) | £30 to £100 a month | Added to a monthly accounts package | June 2026 |
The ranges are wide because the services differ. The lowest prices assume your bookkeeping is already done in their software. Higher prices usually include checking and reconciling your records first.
Per quarter or per month: comparing like with like
Most businesses file 4 VAT returns a year, one each quarter. To compare a monthly fee with a per-return price, convert both to a yearly cost:
| Quote | Yearly cost | Per quarterly return |
|---|---|---|
| £35 a month, excluding VAT | £420 (£504 with 20% VAT) | £105 (£126 with VAT) |
| £29 per return | £116 | £29 |
| £150 per return (middle of Better Account's estimate) | £600 | £150 |
A firm that is VAT-registered adds 20% VAT to its fee. If you are VAT-registered too, you can usually reclaim it, so compare quotes on the same basis: with or without VAT.
What drives the price
- Number of transactions. More sales and purchase invoices each quarter mean more checking.
- Your VAT scheme. Schemes such as the Flat Rate Scheme or Cash Accounting change how the return is worked out.
- The state of your records. Up-to-date digital bookkeeping costs less than a quarter's receipts in a box.
- Your software. Returns are filed through software that works with Making Tax Digital, so the firm may set this up or use yours.
- Complex items. Imports, exports, or a mix of VAT-exempt and taxable sales take longer.
What a VAT return fee should include
- Checking your sales and purchases for the quarter against your bank.
- Filing the return through Making Tax Digital software, after you approve it.
- Telling you the amount and payment date before the deadline.
- Reminders for your records each quarter.
- Simple HMRC questions about the return, or a clear price for them.
Our page on what a VAT return service includes sets out how we handle each quarter.
What usually costs extra
- Catch-up quarters where records are missing or months behind.
- Correcting an earlier return after a mistake is found.
- Partial exemption, if you make both exempt and taxable sales.
- Overseas sales and imports, which need extra checks.
- VAT registration itself, if you are not yet registered.
Deadlines and the cost of getting it wrong
Your VAT return and payment are due 1 calendar month and 7 days after the end of each VAT period. HMRC signs VAT-registered businesses up to Making Tax Digital for VAT automatically unless they are exempt, so returns go through compatible software. Late returns and late payments can lead to penalties and interest, which usually cost more than a quarter's accountant fee.
How House Of Accounts quotes
House Of Accounts' accountants ask about your VAT scheme, quarter dates, transaction volumes and software on a short scope call. You get a written quote with every cost listed upfront. Our VAT Return filing can run on its own or alongside your bookkeeping and accounts. Honest limit: if you have only a handful of transactions a quarter and keep good digital records, filing yourself through MTD software may be enough.
Frequently asked questions
Can a bookkeeper do my VAT return?
Yes. Many bookkeepers prepare and file VAT returns through Making Tax Digital software, often for less than an accountant charges. An accountant is more useful when your VAT has complications, such as partial exemption, imports and exports, or correcting earlier returns. You stay responsible for the return either way.
Is it cheaper to pay for VAT returns monthly or quarterly?
Neither is automatically cheaper. Convert both to a yearly cost: £35 a month is £420 a year, or £105 for each quarterly return, before VAT. Then check what each price includes, such as reconciling your records, reminders and answering HMRC questions.
Do I need Making Tax Digital software for VAT?
Yes, in most cases. HMRC signs VAT-registered businesses up to Making Tax Digital for VAT automatically unless they are exempt. You keep digital records and file through compatible software. An accountant or bookkeeper can file for you using their own software or yours.
Why do VAT return prices vary so much?
Prices measure different services. The lowest published prices, around £29 per return in September 2026, assume your books are already up to date. Higher prices include checking and reconciling records, handling VAT schemes and dealing with HMRC questions. Compare what each quote covers, not just the headline price.
Want a clear price for your VAT returns?
Tell us your VAT scheme, quarter dates and roughly how many transactions you have each quarter. Simply get a clear, upfront quote and we will list every cost before we start.
This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance, then fact-checked against GOV.UK and HMRC guidance and edited by the House Of Accounts team.
Prices and platform rules were checked on the publish date and can change; confirm current terms before you buy.