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The UK web-based procedure for self-employed tax return is very easy to use.

I did it for years with no need for an accountant, despite my business was complicated by special circumstances (non-UK customers, tax-exempt research funds, etc).

The one year I was in credit, they wired me the money within days.

They are currently doing a big redesign for self employment. Basically moving from a yearly overview of accounts to an on-demand system - where you pay taxes as they are charged. I hope they don't force people to use the new method.

If you have to file UK tax from outside the UK, then you have to do it on paper or use commercial software, but it costs from about $30 a year, so no big deal.

Most self-employed IT Contractors I know all have accountants.