FAQ
Questions
Do I need Making Tax Digital? +
If you are self-employed and your qualifying income is over the threshold for your tax year, yes. From 6 April 2026 that was £50,000. From 6 April 2027 it is £30,000. Check GOV.UK. We are not HMRC.
Does Brass file to HMRC for me? +
You keep digital records in Brass and export a pack. Your accountant files. That is the point. We do not pretend to be a tax office.
Can I still use a spreadsheet? +
You can. Most people will not, once the quarterly dates start arriving. Brass is for people who want the records in one place and an email before they are late.
Will this replace my accountant? +
No. Export the pack, or send a read-only link. They file. If you have a weird year, pay the accountant. Brass is the running total, not tax advice.
Who is it for? +
Sole traders. Trades, hair and beauty, tutors, drivers, photographers, consultants. One business. Not landlords, not limited companies, not a VAT department.
Where is my data? +
In the UK or EU. We store your email and your books, including receipt photos you attach. See Privacy. We do not sell the list.
How much is it? +
£9 a month or £79 a year. 14 days free. You add a card when you start. Cancel before the trial ends and you pay nothing.
Does it do VAT? +
No. If you are VAT registered you still need a product, or an accountant, that handles returns. Brass is income tax records for a sole trader.
I am under CIS. Can I use it? +
You can keep the income and expenses. Brass does not file CIS returns or verify subcontractors.
Can I connect my bank? +
You can import a CSV from your bank, check the lines, and save them. Live open banking is not here yet. Brass is not a bank.
Can I log mileage? +
Yes. Add miles on the books. Brass uses HMRC simplified rates: 55p a mile for a car or van for the first 10,000 miles in 2026/27, then 25p. Motorcycle 24p. Bicycle 20p. Once you use simplified mileage for a vehicle you should stick to it. Ask your accountant.
Is the tax figure on the books the amount I pay? +
No. It is a ballpark for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with no trading allowance and no other income. Not tax advice. Your accountant files.
Do I need to photograph every receipt? +
You can snap a photo onto the line. Brass tries to read the date, amount and shop, then you check and save. You can still type a line without a photo.
What if I have two trades? +
One business per account. If you truly run two self-employments, talk to your accountant. Do not squash them into one Brass ledger.
Can my accountant see the books without an account? +
Yes. Create a read-only link in Settings, tap Copy, and send it. They can open that tax year, download PDF and CSV, and look at receipt photos. They cannot edit. The pack updates as you add lines, so send it when you are ready. Stop sharing and the link dies. You can still email the pack.
Can I cancel? +
Yes. Before the trial ends, you pay nothing. After that, cancel and you stop at the end of the period you have paid for.