Accounting technology / Glossary / iXBRL software

What is iXBRL software?

Definition

iXBRL software tags the figures in company accounts and Corporation Tax computations with labels from a standard taxonomy, producing a file both people and computers can read. UK companies must send accounts and computations in iXBRL with their Company Tax Return to HM Revenue and Customs, and Companies House accepts iXBRL accounts.

Also callediXBRL tagging softwareiXBRL conversion software

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Required since: 1 January 2010
Filed with: CT600 Company Tax Return
Ways to tag: Built-in, conversion, managed

How iXBRL software works

Filing accounts and computations in iXBRL has been compulsory since legislation took effect on 1 January 2010, and paper or PDF accounts are generally not accepted. HM Revenue and Customs describes three ways to produce the files: accounts production or tax software that tags automatically as it builds the accounts, conversion software that tags accounts prepared in Word or Excel, and managed tagging services that convert finished accounts for a fee. Accounts are tagged with the FRC taxonomy for the standard used, such as FRS 102 or FRS 105, and computations with the CT computational taxonomy. Every figure in the balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes must be tagged each time it appears, including prior-year comparatives. The joint HM Revenue and Customs and Companies House filing service closed on 31 March 2026, so companies now file with commercial software. HM Revenue and Customs's list of Corporation Tax software suppliers, updated in October 2026, names around 50 integrated iXBRL products, about a dozen conversion tools and 15 managed tagging services.

Common questions

Is there free iXBRL software?+

No longer from HM Revenue and Customs. Its joint filing service with Companies House closed on 31 March 2026, and none of the products on HM Revenue and Customs's supplier list is marked free. Xero Tax comes at no extra cost for UK Xero partners.

How much does iXBRL software cost?+

Most products include tagging in accounts production or tax software. TaxCalc Accounts Production starts at £164 a year plus VAT for 12 clients, Capium starts at £20 a month plus VAT per module, and Ftax includes iXBRL accounts and computations with its CT600 from £11 plus VAT.

What is the difference between iXBRL tagging and conversion software?+

Integrated software tags figures as it produces the accounts. Conversion software takes accounts already written in Word or Excel and lets the user tag them, with templates that can be reused each year.

What has to be tagged in iXBRL accounts?+

All figures in the balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes, including prior-year comparatives. Directors' and auditor's reports are tagged only where data matches a taxonomy item, and other narrative such as a chairman's statement is not.