UK Self-Employed Turn to AI-Powered Tax Software as Self Assessment Filings Hit Record High

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UK Self-Employed Turn to AI-Powered Tax Software as Self Assessment Filings Hit Record High
Pie, a UK-based tax software company, has seen explosive 340% user growth in 2025 as self-employed workers abandon spreadsheets for intelligent self assessment software. With 12.3 million UK taxpayers required to file self assessment returns and 98% now filing digitally, Pie has processed over £47 million in tax submissions while helping users save an average of 8 hours per tax year through real-time calculations, automatic expense tracking

LONDON, United Kingdom – 3 December, 2025 – Over 12.3 million UK taxpayers will file self assessment returns this year, and a growing number are abandoning manual methods in favor of intelligent tax software that calculates, tracks and files automatically.

Pie, a UK fintech company specializing in self assessment software, has seen user numbers surge by 340% in 2025 as freelancers, contractors and small business owners seek faster, more accurate ways to stay compliant with HMRC.

The shift comes as digital tax filing becomes mandatory across the UK, with HMRC reporting that 98% of self assessment returns are now submitted online. Traditional methods like paper forms and basic spreadsheets are being replaced by software that offers real-time calculations, automatic expense tracking and direct HMRC integration.

Why UK Taxpayers Are Switching to Self Assessment Software

Modern self assessment software eliminates the guesswork and stress that comes with manual tax filing. Users benefit from:

  • Real-time tax projections showing what they owe throughout the year

  • Automatic expense categorization using bank feed integration

  • HMRC-compliant filing with built-in error checking

  • Mobile-first design allowing tax management on the go

  • Year-round access to financial records and tax history

“People are tired of scrambling at deadline time with messy receipts and confusing forms,” said Tommy Mcnally, Founder of Pie. “They want software that works like a personal accountant in their pocket—showing them what they owe, what they can claim, and helping them file correctly the first time.”

Real Impact: User Success Stories

Sarah Chen, a freelance graphic designer from Manchester, switched to Pie after years of spreadsheet frustration: “I went from dreading tax season to actually understanding my finances. The app showed me I was eligible for £2,400 in deductions I’d been missing for years.”

Pie’s platform has processed over £47 million in self assessment submissions in 2025, with users reporting an average time saving of 8 hours per tax year compared to manual methods.

Who Benefits Most from Self Assessment Software

Self assessment software is transforming tax management for:

  • Freelancers and contractors juggling multiple income streams

  • Gig economy workers (Uber, Deliveroo, TaskRabbit drivers)

  • Landlords managing rental property income

  • Side hustlers earning beyond their PAYE employment

  • Small business owners seeking affordable accounting alternatives

With the UK’s self-employed workforce reaching 4.2 million in 2025—a 12% increase since 2020—demand for accessible, affordable tax software continues to accelerate.

The Cost of Getting Tax Wrong

HMRC issued £365 million in penalties for late or incorrect self assessment filings in the 2023/24 tax year. Self assessment software helps users avoid these penalties through:

  • Automatic deadline reminders

  • Pre-submission error checks

  • Digital record-keeping that satisfies HMRC requirements

  • Direct submission confirmation

What Makes Pie Different

Unlike traditional accounting software built for accountants, Pie is designed for regular people who need to file self assessment:

  • Plain English explanations instead of accounting jargon

  • No accounting knowledge required with guided step-by-step filing

  • Transparent pricing starting at £6.99/month (no hidden fees)

  • Human support via in-app chat from UK-based tax specialists

  • Bank-level security with 256-bit encryption and FCA compliance

“Tax should never feel like a mystery,” Mcnally added. “It’s your money. You should know where it’s going and what you can claim back. That’s what we built Pie to do.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of UK Tax Filing

With Making Tax Digital (MTD) expansions on the horizon and self-employment continuing to grow, experts predict self assessment software adoption will double by 2027.

Pie is responding to this demand with planned features including:

  • AI-powered expense detection from bank transactions

  • Integration with major invoicing platforms

  • Multi-year tax planning and projections

  • Partnership with UK accountancy firms

Try Pie Free for 14 Days

UK taxpayers can experience Pie’s self assessment software with a free 14-day trial at pie.tax. No payment details required.

The January 31st self assessment deadline is approaching. Users who start their return before December 31st receive priority support from Pie’s tax specialist team.

About Pie

Pie Money Limited is a UK-based fintech company making tax simple, stress-free and accessible for self-employed individuals and small business owners. Founded in 2023, Pie provides real-time tax calculations, guided HMRC filing, automatic expense tracking and expert support. With over 18,000 users nationwide and £47M+ in processed tax submissions, Pie is modernizing how Britain’s self-employed handle tax compliance.

Pie is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and uses bank-level security to protect user data.

Media Contact

Pie Money Limited

Email: help@pie.tax

Website: https://pie.tax

Media Contact
Company Name: Pie Money Limited
Contact Person: Tommy Mcnally
Email: Send Email
Address:77 Lower Camden Street
City: Dublin 2
State: D02 XE80 Ireland
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://pie.tax