The best accounting software for electricians and MTD
Quick answer
For most self-employed electricians, QuickBooks is the best accounting software, with receipt capture, GPS mileage tracking and CIS for subcontractors from £10 a month. Xero (from £7) is best if you plan to grow or take on an apprentice. FreeAgent is free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle.
Self-employed electricians juggle a lot: quotes, certificates, materials runs and a van full of kit. From 6 April 2027, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax adds quarterly updates for sole traders with qualifying income over £30,000 (GOV.UK). The right software makes that a few minutes' work each quarter. We picked these based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings, with prices checked in October 2026.
Not sure if you need MTD yet? Our Do I need MTD? checker gives you your start date.
Best accounting software for electricians at a glance
| Software | Price (checked October 2026) | MTD for Income Tax | Free tier | CIS | VAT returns | App rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks | From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Subcontractors on Sole Trader; full CIS on higher plans | Yes (not on Sole Trader Plus) | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | Visit site |
| Xero | From £7/month (Simple) | Yes | No (1 month free trial) | Yes | Yes (not on Simple) | 4.8 iOS / 4.5 Android | Visit site |
| FreeAgent | From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | Yes | Yes, with eligible bank | Not listed | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | Visit site |
| Clear Books | Free MTD plans, or from £5/month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sole Trader Plus and above | n/a iOS / 2.8 Android | Visit site |
Prices exclude VAT unless stated and were checked on each provider's website in October 2026. Introductory offers change often, so always confirm the live price. App ratings are from the UK App Store and Google Play in October 2026.
Our top 3 picks for electricians
Best overall for electricians
QuickBooks
- Price
- From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- No (30-day trial)
- Landlords
- Single property only on Sole Trader Plus
QuickBooks is built around your phone. Snap wholesaler receipts, track mileage with GPS and see a live tax estimate. Its £10 Sole Trader plan covers CIS for subcontractors. Read our QuickBooks review.
Best if you plan to grow
Xero
- Price
- From £7/month (Simple)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- No (1 month free trial)
- Landlords
- Yes
Xero starts at £7 a month and lists CIS support. You can add VAT, payroll and more as you grow, which suits electricians planning to take on an apprentice. Read our Xero review.
Best free option with an eligible bank
FreeAgent
- Price
- From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- Yes, with eligible bank
- Landlords
- Yes
FreeAgent is free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account, or Mettle with one transaction a month. It includes VAT and a running tax estimate. CIS is not listed, so it suits electricians doing mostly domestic work. FreeAgent pays us nothing.
How electricians' income and costs work
Many electricians mix two kinds of work. Domestic jobs, such as rewires, fault finding and EV charger installs, are usually paid directly by the customer. Site work for a main contractor may be paid under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), where tax is taken off before you are paid. Your software needs to handle both.
Typical expenses to record include:
- Materials: cable, fittings, consumer units and accessories bought for jobs
- Tools and test equipment: multifunction testers, hand tools and power tools
- Van costs: fuel, servicing and repairs, or mileage instead
- Scheme and trade fees: registration with a competent person scheme or trade body
- Workwear and safety gear
Whether to claim actual van costs or mileage depends on your situation, so ask an accountant before your first return.
Does CIS apply to electricians?
It can. If you work for a contractor on a construction site, you may be a CIS subcontractor. CIS subcontractors who are sole traders are in scope for MTD like any other sole trader, based on gross turnover (HMRC MTD FAQs). Your software should record CIS deductions. Check how they are treated with HMRC or an accountant. See our CIS subcontractor software guide for more options.
A worked example
Aisha (an illustration, not a real customer) is a self-employed electrician. In the 2025 to 2026 tax year she invoices £31,500. About two thirds is domestic work, and the rest is site work for a contractor under CIS. Her qualifying income is her gross turnover of £31,500, before expenses and CIS deductions (GOV.UK).
That is over £30,000, so Aisha joins MTD from 6 April 2027. Her first quarterly update is due by 7 August 2027 (GOV.UK). Because she does CIS work and drives to every job, QuickBooks at £10 a month is a good fit.
What to look for in electricians' accounting software
- MTD for Income Tax support for quarterly updates
- CIS support if you do any site work for contractors
- Receipt capture on your phone for wholesaler receipts
- GPS mileage tracking if you drive between jobs
- Bank feeds (your bank transactions flow in automatically)
- Invoicing you can send from the van
- VAT returns if you are VAT registered or close to it
For a wider view, see our best MTD software for sole traders.
Who should not choose these tools
- Electricians with qualifying income of £20,000 or less, who are currently exempt (GOV.UK).
- Employed electricians paid through PAYE only, because employment income does not count towards MTD.
- Electricians whose accountant already files for them, who should ask before buying software.
Frequently asked questions
Do self-employed electricians need MTD?
Yes, if your qualifying income is over the threshold. From 6 April 2027 that is over £30,000, and from 6 April 2028 it is over £20,000. Qualifying income is your gross turnover from self-employment and property, before expenses.
Does CIS apply to electricians?
It can. If you work for a contractor on a construction site, you may be paid under CIS, with tax taken off before you are paid. Many domestic jobs for homeowners are paid in full. Check with HMRC if you are unsure.
What is the best app for electricians to track mileage?
QuickBooks lets you track mileage with GPS on your phone, from £10 a month. That is useful if you drive to several jobs a day. Compare it with Xero in our Xero vs QuickBooks guide.
Can I claim test equipment as an expense?
Tools and equipment you buy for your work are normally business costs. Larger items may be treated differently from small ones on your return, so ask an accountant if you buy something expensive.
Is there free accounting software for electricians?
Yes. FreeAgent is free with an eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle account. Clear Books has a free MTD plan for sole traders that also lists CIS support. See our free MTD software guide.
Which software suits electricians who are VAT registered?
Xero (from Ignite at £18), QuickBooks (from Simple Start at £16) and FreeAgent all do VAT returns. Clear Books does VAT from its Sole Trader Plus plan at £15 a month. Prices are ex VAT and were checked in October 2026.
This page is general information, not personal tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules can change and your situation may differ. For advice on your own affairs, speak to a qualified accountant or tax adviser, or check GOV.UK.