⚠ SELF-FILERS: READ THIS BEFORE BUYING IRIS ELEMENTS ⚠
I BELIEVE I WAS TRICKED INTO A 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOFTWARE I COULD NOT USE FOR THE PURPOSE I BOUGHT IT FOR
This page documents my experience as a company director trying to file my own company’s accounts and Corporation Tax return.
🚨 DO NOT ASSUME IRIS ELEMENTS IS SUITABLE FOR SELF-FILERS
If you are a company director filing your own company accounts and CT600, check HMRC’s official Corporation Tax software list BEFORE paying for software.
HMRC’s software supplier information distinguishes whether products are suitable for self-filers. Check the current HMRC listing yourself and obtain written confirmation from the supplier that your exact subscription supports non-agent filing.
⚠ MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRIAL
I was able to use parts of IRIS Elements on a trial, but in my experience the crucial stages I needed to establish whether the complete workflow would actually work for me were only encountered after paying for products and upgrades.
I believe this meant I could not properly establish whether the software would perform the job I was buying it to do before becoming financially committed.
I was not looking for software for an accountancy practice. I was a company director trying to prepare and file the accounts and Corporation Tax return for my own limited company.
⚠ THE 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION
I entered into a 12-month subscription believing I was purchasing software that would allow me to complete the filing workflow for my own company.
I connected QuickBooks, prepared the trial balance, mapped the accounts, generated the statutory accounts, prepared CT600 returns and spent many hours learning and configuring the system.
By the time I discovered the filing limitation affecting me, I was already committed to the subscription.
☎ WHAT I SAY IRIS TECHNICAL SUPPORT TOLD ME
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to submit my return, I called IRIS technical support.
I explained that I was the director of the company, that I was filing my own company’s return and that I was not an accountant or registered tax agent.
According to my recollection of that technical-support conversation, I was then told that because I was not an accountant/agent, I could not use the filing workflow for the purpose for which I had purchased it.
This was after I had paid, upgraded, configured the software and made numerous attempts to complete the submission.
🚫 MY CANCELLATION REQUEST WAS REFUSED
After discovering the limitation, I asked IRIS to cancel my subscription.
They refused my cancellation request.
I have had multiple communications with IRIS about what happened. In my view, IRIS now knows exactly why I bought the software, what I was trying to do and why the filing workflow did not meet my needs as a non-agent self-filer.
Despite that, at the time of writing I have not been released from the 12-month commitment.
🚨 WHAT I WAS TOLD ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY
During my communications with IRIS, I was told, in substance, that it was not their responsibility to advise me about the limitation affecting my use of the software as a non-agent.
I strongly disagree with that position.
If a customer is purchasing software to file their own limited company’s accounts and Corporation Tax return, I believe any restriction that prevents that customer from completing the filing workflow should be made exceptionally clear before they enter a 12-month commitment.
⚠ MY WARNING TO COMPANY DIRECTORS ⚠
DO NOT BUY IRIS ELEMENTS FOR SELF-FILING WITHOUT FIRST GETTING WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR EXACT SUBSCRIPTION SUPPORTS YOUR NON-AGENT FILING WORKFLOW.
Do not assume that because software advertises Corporation Tax, CT600 preparation, HMRC connectivity or online filing that a company director can necessarily use that product to submit their own company’s return.
Ask the supplier this exact question before paying:
“I am a company director, not an accountant or tax agent. Can I use this exact subscription to submit my own limited company’s CT600 directly to HMRC using my company’s Government Gateway credentials?”
Get the answer in writing. Check the minimum contract period and cancellation terms before entering payment details.
1. CHECK HMRC FIRST
Use HMRC’s official Corporation Tax commercial software supplier information and check whether the product is shown as suitable for self-filers.
2. TEST THE FULL WORKFLOW
Do not assume a trial proves that the final submission stage will work. Establish whether you can test the functionality that actually matters before committing to a paid contract.
3. GET IT IN WRITING
Confirm self-filer eligibility, Government Gateway requirements, agent requirements, cancellation rights and the minimum contract period in writing before purchasing.
I CREATED THIS PAGE BECAUSE I WISH I HAD SEEN THIS WARNING BEFORE I PAID
I believe I was misled into entering a 12-month subscription for software that could not perform the filing purpose for which I bought it. This page exists so other small-company directors can ask the questions I wish I had asked before subscribing.
This page describes my personal experience and opinions. Statements about conversations with IRIS staff describe my recollection of what I was told. Readers should verify current product capabilities, HMRC requirements, pricing and contract terms directly with the relevant organisations before making a purchasing decision.
⚠ PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION ⚠
CHECK SELF-FILER COMPATIBILITY BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT.
I would like a full written apology and refund for the stress you have caused.