Best UK Tax Return Software for Non-Residents and Expats

If you're a non-resident or expat with UK income, you need third-party software to file your Self Assessment online, because HMRC's free service doesn't support the SA109 residence pages. Taxd, GoSimpleTax, TaxCalc, Basetax and FreeAgent all cover it, and Taxd is built for exactly these returns, from £99.

If you've moved abroad but still earn income in the UK, you probably already know the drill. You need to file a Self Assessment tax return with HMRC. What you might not know is that you also need to complete a supplementary page called the SA109, which covers your residence status, split-year treatment, and claims like the personal allowance or the foreign income and gains (FIG) regime.

Here's the catch: HMRC's free online filing service doesn't support the SA109. That means you can't just log in and file through the government portal. You need third-party software to do it.

In this article, we'll look at the best UK tax return software options for non-residents and expats, so you can find the one that works for your situation.

Top UK Tax Return Software for Non-Residents and Expats

1. Taxd

Taxd is built specifically for the UK tax filing needs of individuals, including non-residents and expats. It supports the full SA100 return and all the supplementary pages you're likely to need, including the SA109 for residency, SA105 for UK rental income, and SA106 for foreign income.

Features:

• Taxd walks you through your return with simple, plain-English questions. No tax knowledge required.
• The software handles the SA109 residence pages in full, covering your residence status, domicile history, personal allowance claims, and reliefs like split-year treatment.
• You can file directly to HMRC from anywhere in the world, without needing to post a paper return.
• Taxd is recognised by HMRC and supervised by the Association of Taxation Technicians, so you can file with confidence.
• Taxd was founded by former Big Four international tax specialists.
• Live chat support is available if you get stuck at any point.
• Consultations with international tax experts are available if you need more personalised advice.
• Personal tax returns start from £99, with flat-fee pricing so you know the cost upfront.

2. GoSimpleTax

GoSimpleTax is a well-established self assessment platform that supports the SA109 for non-residents. It has a dedicated residency plan aimed at expats and people with overseas connections.

Features:

• A specific Residency plan covers the SA109 page, along with SA105 for property income and SA106 for foreign income.
• The software calculates your tax automatically and shows you what you owe in real time.
• Over 100 tax-saving suggestions are built in to help you reduce your bill.
• You can submit your return directly to HMRC through the platform.
• Email support is available Monday to Friday, and seven days a week in January.
• Pricing for the Residency plan starts at around £80 per tax year on a subscription basis.

3. TaxCalc

TaxCalc is a popular choice among expats and non-residents, particularly those who prefer desktop software. It covers the full SA100 return including the SA109 supplementary pages.

Features:

• TaxCalc uses a step-by-step Q&A approach called SimpleStep, which makes it easy to work through even complex residency situations.
• The SA109 pages are fully supported, including the residence and overseas workday relief sections.
• The software is suitable for individuals, businesses, and partnerships, making it flexible if your situation changes.
• It supports MTD (Making Tax Digital) requirements for those who need it.
• TaxCalc is widely recommended by expats for its reliability and depth of coverage.

4. Basetax

Basetax offers UK tax filing software for expats and overseas landlords. It covers the full range of SA100 to SA109 forms.

Features:

• Supports UK property income and overseas income.
• Uses plain-English questions to map your answers onto the relevant HMRC forms.
• Includes SA100 to SA109 coverage.
• Offers an option for people who prefer to prepare their return using software.

5. FreeAgent

FreeAgent is primarily an accounting platform for freelancers and small business owners, but it also supports self assessment filing. It's worth considering if you are a non-resident who runs a UK business or works as a sole trader.

Features:

• FreeAgent handles invoicing, expense tracking, and self assessment in one place, which is useful if you have self-employment income alongside other UK income.
• The software connects directly to your bank account to import and reconcile transactions automatically.
• It submits your self assessment return directly to HMRC.
• Real-time dashboards give you a clear view of your finances throughout the year.
• Note that FreeAgent's SA109 support may be limited compared to dedicated non-resident filing tools, so check the latest coverage before committing.

Conclusion on Best Tax Software for Non-Residents

Filing a UK tax return from abroad is more straightforward than it used to be, as long as you use the right software. The key thing to check before you commit to any platform is that it supports the SA109 supplementary page. Without it, you cannot file online at all as a non-resident.

All five options above cover that requirement. If you want the simplest experience for a non-resident return, Taxd is a strong place to start. Whether you're an expat with UK income or a non-resident landlord with UK rental property, you can file your non-resident tax return with Taxd from anywhere in the world, in under an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do non-residents have to file a UK tax return?

Not always, but you do if you have UK income that HMRC needs to know about, such as rental income from a UK property, UK employment income, or UK pension income. If HMRC sends you a notice to file, you must complete a return regardless of where you live.

What is the SA109 form?

The SA109 is a supplementary page to your main SA100 Self Assessment tax return. It covers your residence status, split-year treatment, and claims such as the personal allowance. From April 2025 it also covers the foreign income and gains (FIG) regime, which replaced the remittance basis. Non-residents must complete it alongside their SA100.

Can I file the SA109 through HMRC's free online service?

No. HMRC's own online filing service does not support the SA109. You need to use third-party software, or file a paper return, which must reach HMRC by 31 October (rather than the 31 January online deadline).

What should I look for when choosing non-resident tax software?

The most important thing is SA109 support. Beyond that, look for software that also covers the supplementary pages relevant to your income, such as SA105 for UK rental income or SA106 for foreign income. Ease of use, price, and the ability to file directly to HMRC are also worth comparing.