FreeAgent, the UK’s market-leader in online accounting for micro businesses and freelancers, has reinforced its commitment to making filing tax returns as easy as possible – by introducing a range of new Self Assessment features.
In addition to widening its groundbreaking “Fast File” functionality – so that, for the first time, directors of Limited Companies can fill and file their Self Assessment tax returns with HMRC directly through FreeAgent – the company has also introduced its first-ever Self Assessment “survival kit” for small businesses.
The kit, which can be accessed here, includes exclusive guides, checklists and tips designed to help small business owners navigate through the minefield of preparing and filing their tax return.
With the expansion of its “Fast File” feature, FreeAgent is the only UK cloud accounting system to offer sole traders, directors of limited companies and their accountants the ability to automatically fill and file Self Assessment tax returns without the need to use HMRC Online. For sole traders, FreeAgent automatically completes up to 90% of the self-employment forms directly from the user’s existing accounting data, which means they save valuable time and hassle when doing their Self Assessment; particularly during the traditionally stressful weeks leading-up to the filing deadline on January 31st.
In addition, FreeAgent will also be offering its customers the chance to win £5000 towards their tax bill, in order to help further soften the blow of Self Assessment in 2015.
Ed Molyneux, CEO and co-founder of FreeAgent, said: “Filing a tax return is the bane of many business owners’ lives, and the days leading up to the 31st Jan deadline are pretty fraught both for them and their accountants. So to counter this, we’re delighted to not only be giving more of our users the chance to Fast File their tax returns with FreeAgent, but also offering them a Self Assessment survival kit to help them through the process.
“We’re committed to simplifying Self Assessment and alleviating some of the anxiety and stress that people traditionally feel when submitting their tax returns. We’re hoping that Fast File continues to be an invaluable feature among sole traders and directors of Limited Companies over the next month or so – and that our survival guide helps even more people feel confident about Self Assessment.
“And if that’s not enough, we’ve also decided that everyone who submits their own Self Assessment return through FreeAgent before January 31st will be entered into a special draw to win £5,000 towards their tax bill. No-one really enjoys paying their taxes, but we hope this will make Self Assessment season that little bit more enjoyable for one lucky small business.”
All current direct UK FreeAgent customers who submit their Self Assessment tax return through FreeAgent by January 31st will be entered in the competition and one name will be picked at random to win the £5,000 prize towards their tax.
