Complete review of tax return software

Managing VAT, personal income tax, or corporate tax each quarter can become a real headache when you don't have the resources. a good software for reviewing and submitting tax returnsHours in front of the computer, doubts about the models, fear of making mistakes, and the constant feeling of being in over your head.

Furthermore, the regulatory landscape has become more complex: the Anti-Fraud Law, the new invoicing regulations, Veri*factu, the obligation to work with certified billing and accounting software… If you are self-employed, an SME, a consultancy or a professional firm, choosing the right tool to work with is no longer a secondary issue: it is a fiscal, legal matter and, in many cases, a matter of pure business survival.

Why you need to review your tax preparation software now

The choice of software you use to manage invoicing, accounting, and tax forms has a direct impact on your tax security, your internal efficiency, and your risk of penaltiesIt's not just about filling out a 303 or a 111: we're talking about how the records are generated, how they are stored, whether they can be altered, whether they are ready to communicate with the AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency), and whether they comply with the latest regulations.

For the self-employed and small businesses, a good tax system can make all the difference. having tax obligations under control or living quarterly on patchwork solutions and hardshipsAnd for consultancies and law firms, software is literally the engine of the business: the ability to handle cases, the quality of service, and profitability per client depend on it.

Furthermore, Law 11/2021 on measures for the prevention and fight against tax fraud, together with the Regulation on invoicing systems (Royal Decree 1007/2023) and its technical development (Order HAC/1177/2024), establish that the programs must to guarantee integrity, traceability, immutability and preservation of recordsAny old home app or spreadsheet won't do anymore: using or even owning dual-purpose software can be extremely expensive.

In this context, reviewing the software you use for your taxes and, if necessary, switching to a certified and modern solution, is a minimal investment compared to the potential cost of errors, inspections, surcharges and penalties of up to 50.000 euros per year.

The best programs for managing and filing taxes

In the Spanish market, you have everything from complete ERP-type platforms to more basic free solutions, in addition to the official system of the Tax Agency. Below you will find a detailed overview of the Main tools for reviewing, calculating and submitting tax returns in Spainwith their strengths, limitations, prices and who they are best suited for.

Keep in mind that not all programs cover the same things: some specialize in in-depth accounting, others in tax models, others in scanning receipts And others are designed for large-scale income and wealth tax campaigns in advisory firms. The key is to be clear about what you need: comprehensive business management, compliance with the new invoicing regulations, or maximizing productivity in specific campaigns.

Holded: comprehensive business management with automated taxes

Holded is a cloud-based management platform that combines invoicing, accounting, treasury, inventory, and equipment with a powerful tax module, ideal if you want Automate tax filing without leaving the same systemIts approach is more about providing an easy-to-use ERP for freelancers and SMEs than a simple tax program, and it facilitates Migrate your inventory to an ERP when you grow up.

The great advantage of Holded is that, as you record issued and received invoices, the system automatically updates them. automatically preparing most common tax formsThis minimizes manual work and, above all, greatly reduces the risk of errors typical of last-minute data entry.

Tax models generated by Holded

With income and expense information, Holded is able to automatically complete a large part of the quarterly and annual models used by self-employed individuals and companiesAmong other things, it covers:

• Quarterly models: 303 (VAT), 111 (withholdings from workers and professionals), 115 (withholdings from rentals), 123 (income from movable capital) and 202 (fractional payments of Corporate Income Tax).
• Annual models: 180 (summary of 115), 190 (summary of 111), 390 (summary of 303), 347 (transactions with third parties), 349 (intra-community transactions) and 200 (Corporate Tax).

The platform also allows send these forms directly to the AEAT using an electronic certificateThis direct connection saves time and significantly reduces the margin of error in the filing process, eliminating the need to generate intermediate files or manually access the Tax Agency's website to upload TXT files.

Real-time tax forecasting

One of the most interesting aspects of Holded is that it doesn't just generate models, but also offers a continuous view of how your taxes are doing during the quarterAs you record income and expenses, the system recalculates:

• Financial statements updated at the moment.
• Estimated VAT and personal income tax amounts based on your invoices.
• Projections of future tax obligations.

This forecast helps avoid the classic shock of reaching the end of the quarter and discovering you have to pay a large amount you hadn't anticipated. The tax tables and reports show you the evolution of what you have already paid in taxes and what you still owe in taxes, something very useful for better treasury management.

Holded Usability and Pricing

The interface is designed so that any self-employed person or SME, even without advanced accounting training, can issue invoices, record expenses and file taxes with relative easeTemplates, auto-fill fields, and seat automation reduce day-to-day friction.

Holded's plans are structured by features and volume, with a range that goes from simpler options to very complete solutions.

• Basic: €29 per month.
• Standard: €59 per month.
• Advanced: €99 per month.
• Premium: €199 per month.

There is usually something in all plans initial promotional discounts, for example 50% during the first few monthsThis makes the transition from a spreadsheet or outdated program much smoother. As you upgrade your plan, project functionalities, integrations, and support increase.

Key integrations of Holded

Another important advantage is that Holded connects natively with many common tools, allowing have integrated billing, collections and accounting without duplicating workAmong the most notable integrations are:

• E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Amazon.
• Payment gateways: PayPal, Stripe, GoCardless.
• Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox.
• Automation: Zapier for more complex workflows.

Furthermore, it has an API to develop custom connections with other ERP, CRM, or industry-specific solutions, which is important for companies that want to grow without falling short of a system.

Contasimple: an economical option for simple activities

Contasimple is a lighter and more economical alternative, designed for freelancers and small businesses that need issue invoices, keep basic accounts and file VAT and personal income tax returns without too much complicationIt doesn't reach the level of an ERP like Holded, but it's adequate if your operations are simple.

The program centralizes invoices, deductible expenses, and withholdings in one place, so that Tax forms are automatically filled out based on the information already entered.This avoids re-entering data when generating, for example, form 303 or 130, and reduces human error.

Contasimple plans and limits

One of Contasimple's defining features is that it offers a free plan, with certain limitations, ideal for self-employed individuals who are starting out and have low volumeFrom there, the payment plans expand the number of invoices, products, and features.

• Basic€0 per month. One user, up to 12 invoices per year and 5 products. Very basic functions, but useful for testing the system.
• Professional€12,95 per month (quarterly billing). One user, 500 invoices per year, 50 products, and the option for remittances.
• Ultimate€19,95 per month (quarterly billing). Unlimited invoices, products, and remittances, with all advanced features, although it is still for one user only.

It also includes Free 30 days trial in the payment plans, something that allows you to check if it fits your workflow before committing.

Anfix: tax automation for freelancers and SMEs

Anfix is ​​another cloud-based tool that combines invoicing and accounting with a strong focus on automate the generation of taxes and tax modelsIt is designed for both freelancers and small businesses who want to better control their tax returns without getting into overly complex accounting.

The system allows you to obtain, practically with one click, drafts of the main VAT and personal income tax forms, while maintaining control at all times. How are the fiscal results progressing before the end of the period?In addition, it centralizes income, expenses, and collections to provide a comprehensive overview of the business.

Anfix's Key Tax Features

Among the most useful features for tax review in Anfix are:

• Creating preliminary drafts to simulate the outcome of the models before presenting them.
• Continuous tax monitoring, with periodic estimates as transactions are recorded.
• Charts and tables showing the evolution of taxes already paid and taxes remaining to be paid.

This approach helps companies to make more informed decisions about spending, investments and provisionsespecially when cash flow is tight.

Anfix Pricing and Scaling

Anfix has several subscription levels that increase in billing volume and functionality, making it attractive for growing businesses.

• Basic€4,99 per month (annual payment). Includes simple billing, limited to 60 invoices per year.
• Advanced€12,49 per month (annual payment). Up to 300 invoices, with more comprehensive billing options.
• Professional€24,99 per month (annual payment). Up to 1.200 invoices, including automatic accounting.
• CORPORATE LAW €58,33 per month (annual payment). Up to 6.000 invoices and all tax forms.
• Premium€83,33 per month (annual payment). Unlimited invoices and access to all features.

Normally, all plans include Try it free for 15 days and they usually offer some kind of promotional discount the first month, without needing to enter a card to try it out.

Contasol: In-depth accounting and professional tax closing

CONTASOL is a desktop program geared towards those who need more sophisticated accounting: offices, SMEs of a certain size, or companies with complex operationsUnlike more generalist solutions, here the focus is on accounting itself and the complete tax closing, not so much on invoicing or business management.

With CONTASOL you can manage the entire accounting cycle, from entering journal entries to preparing the Annual Accounts and filing them with the Mercantile Registry, as well as manage a complete calendar of obligations and filing deadlinesIt is a tool widely used by consultancies that handle accounting for third parties.

Contasol Licenses and Modalities

One of the attractive features of CONTASOL is that it has a Free version for local useIt is installed on your own equipment and has no license cost, making it very competitive for small offices that prefer to work locally.

If you prefer not to worry about servers or backups, there's also the cloud version, with prices that usually start from around €21 per user per monthincluding hosting and support. In both cases, you can try the tool for 30 days with access to technical support, manuals, a virtual assistant, and training sessions.

Visionwin: Free accounting with tax features for small businesses

Visionwin is a free accounting program that is very popular among small businesses and freelancers looking for a solution with no license fees and the ability to manage basic taxesIt can be installed on as many computers as you want and support multiple companies with no user limit.

Although its appearance is more classic than that of cloud platforms, it offers very interesting options when it comes to Prepare VAT forms based on accounting recordsIt takes the data from the sub-accounts for input and output VAT (472, 477, 4751, etc.) and from the journal, and with this it generates summaries and adjustments.

Visionwin Support and Services

The software itself is free, but if you need professional help, guaranteed updates, or cloud hosting, you can purchase different support packages, which typically include:

• Update: annual payment, only to have access to new versions.
• Basic: includes updates and inquiries via email or chat.
• ProfessionalIt also includes telephone support and remote connection with technicians.

In addition, Visionwin optionally offers a service of backups on a secure serverwhich is interesting if you use the local version but don't want to rely solely on your own backups.

Scanner Pro: Digitize tickets and invoices from your mobile phone

Although Scanner Pro is not tax software itself, it has become a very useful tool for tax authorities. Review and preparation of tax returns based on many paper supporting documents.Instead of accumulating envelopes full of tickets, you can scan everything with your mobile phone.

The app uses OCR technology to automatically recognize key data such as date, supplier, amount, taxes and currency from the receipts. This greatly simplifies the task of recording deductible expenses in your accounting or invoicing software.

Advantages of Scanner Pro in the fiscal flow

By digitizing all documents, you instantly reduce the risk of losing receipts or of forgetting deductible expenses that could lower your tax billThe application also improves the quality of scans, corrects shadows and perspective, and recognizes text in more than 25 languages.

The free version allows you to scan, organize, and share basic documents; if you need advanced features, there are subscriptions starting from just under €4 up to more comprehensive annual options, with some extra charges for specific features.

Renta Web: the official platform of the Tax Agency

Renta Web is the Tax Agency's online tool for filing the Personal Income Tax return and, where applicable, Wealth Tax returnIt's the evolution of the old PADRE Program and has become the almost only way for most taxpayers; if you prefer to do it yourself, consult [link/resource]. How to do your own taxes.

Access, simulations and uses of Renta Web

To use Renta Web, you need to identify yourself with Cl@ve PIN, a digital certificate, or an electronic ID card. Once logged in, you can save drafts, resume sessions on different devices and always work with the most up-to-date version of your tax data.

In addition to the official version, there is Renta Web Open, a simulator that works without identification and is used for run tests, compare results, or resolve doubts before the actual campaign. However, whatever you ultimately submit must be done from the authenticated version.

Specialized software for tax campaigns: TeamSystem Renta and others

Consulting firms that handle dozens or hundreds of income tax and wealth tax returns each year often opt for specific programs such as TeamSystem Rental or similar solutions from other manufacturersThese systems are designed to work in industrial mode with many declarations, shared data, and massive submissions.

In this type of tool, what is valued most is that they offer Integration with the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT), comparative simulations between tax options, automation of calculations and direct electronic filingThe important thing is no longer just to submit one tax return, but to be able to do hundreds of them with guarantees and without overwhelming the team.

Advantages of using good tax preparation and income tax software

Regardless of which program you choose, there are a number of common benefits when working with Professional software for tax returns in a consultancy or officeWe're not just talking about comfort: we're talking about a business model.

The automation of calculations, data integration, and the continuous updating of regulations allow each advisor to manage more files per campaign without triggering overtime or stress. This makes it possible to scale the client portfolio without having to duplicate staff.

Efficiency, precision and resource savings

Well-designed income and tax programs radically reduce the time spent on mechanical tasks: calculations, data transfers, verification of bases and quotasThis not only increases productivity, but also decreases the likelihood of making errors in calculations.

Digitizing all tax information virtually eliminates the need to store physical filing cabinets full of papersMany consultancies already operate with small offices or even 100% remotely, which reduces fixed costs and allows them to offer more competitive rates.

Regulatory update and portability

Another critical advantage is that professional programs update themselves with legislative changes, ensuring that Current tables, rates, deductions and limits are applied correctlyThis minimizes the risk of submitting incorrect statements due to not having followed a reform in time.

Being cloud-based, most of these systems facilitate remote work: advisors can Connect from home or from anywhere with an internet connection.without being physically dependent on the office. This improves work-life balance and allows for faster responses to customer inquiries.

New legal framework: Anti-Fraud Law, Regulations and Veri*factu

In recent years, regulations to combat tax fraud have been strengthened, especially with regard to... Billing and accounting software that allows you to keep accounts in BLaw 11/2021 and subsequent regulations have focused on this type of tool.

Royal Decree 1007/2023 mandates that invoicing systems comply with strict requirements for integrity, traceability, and immutability, reinforced by Order HAC/1177/2024, which specifies technical and content requirements. This is further supplemented by other regulations such as the Invoicing Regulation (Royal Decree 1619/2012) and various resolutions from the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT). They regulate the representation of third parties and the sending of billing files.

What must certified billing software meet?

To comply with these regulations, billing software must:

• Prevent the hidden deletion or modification of invoices already issued.
• Generate an invoice record and, where applicable, an event log that leaves a record of each transaction.
• Store billing records securely and accessibly without the possibility of improper manipulation.
• Include a QR code on invoices that allows its content to be verified.
• Be prepared for send the information to the AEATeither voluntarily in real time (Veri*factu system) or at the request of the Administration.

In parallel, the General Tax Law and its articles on formal obligations and infringements, as well as other royal decrees and European directives, complete the legal framework that requires reliable, auditable, and tamper-resistant programs.

The declaration of responsibility: your proof that the software complies

A simple way to check if your supplier is serious about regulatory compliance is to ask for their responsible statementThis document, regulated by the regulations, serves to certify that the software meets all the required requirements.

Typically, the declaration includes a main section, identifying the product and signed by the company representative, and an appendix detailing how each technical point is met. That the supplier have it available within the application itself or provide it to you without any problems It's a good sign; if it runs away when you ask for it, it's a bad sign.

Verification and real-time record sending

Veri*factu is the system through which certified software It can send billing records to the AEAT in real timeIt will not be mandatory for all companies, but the program must be prepared to do so from day one if you decide to do so.

In practice, this means that your software must:

• Do not allow deleting or changing invoices after the fact.
• Always keep billing records.
• Include a QR code on all issued invoices.
• Be ready to send real-time records (Veri*factu mode) or, if you don't activate it, be compatible with submission at the request of the AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency).

There is no way around it: even if you don't use real-time submission, the program will have to meet all the requirements and be technically prepared to connect with the Tax Agency when necessary.

Risks of not updating your software: penalties and double use

Ignoring all these regulatory changes can be very costly. The Anti-Fraud Law provides for very serious penalties for those who manufacture, market, or use dual-use billing programs or those that do not comply with the new requirementsAnd there doesn't have to be bad faith: it's enough to have or use software that allows you to hide sales.

For manufacturers and distributors, the fines can reach € 150.000And for self-employed individuals and companies that own or use these programs, the law includes fixed penalties of €50.000 per yearapplicable whether certified systems are used, simply installed, or have been improperly manipulated.

Clues used by the Tax Authorities to detect double accounting

The Tax Agency cross-references a lot of information to locate possible parallel accounting systems. One of the indicators that is closely examined is the intensive use of cash in sectors where it would not be so commonespecially if it does not fit with industry patterns or declared bank transactions.

Complaints, discrepancies between reported sales and bank transactions, and comparisons with similar businesses are also being analyzed. The Inspection is looking to clues that point to software capable of hiding part of the salesFrom there, it can focus actions on specific taxpayers or sectors.

Typical mistakes that good software helps to avoid

Beyond the penalties for inadequate software, the day-to-day reality is that many settlements go wrong because errors in deductions, unregistered invoices, duplicates, or accounting discrepanciesIn high-volume companies, checking this manually is almost impossible.

Specialized platforms for consultancies, such as Sage Despachos Connected or similar ones, incorporate Automatic controls that detect inconsistencies in the quarterly VAT reviewDiscrepancies in the books, inconsistent invoices, or gaps in the numbering system significantly reduce the chances that an audit by the tax authorities will result in regularization and penalties.

Which software to choose based on your profile

With all this information on the table, the choice of software for your tax returns will depend primarily on your size, your complexity, and whether you work only for your business or also for clientsSome practical guidelines:

If you're a freelancer or SME with a significant volume of invoices and want an all-in-one system, the most convenient option is usually to choose an integrated software such as Holded, Anfix, or similar solutionswhere you invoice, account and generate models in the same tool.

If you prioritize saving above all else and your business is very simple, programs like Contasimple or Visionwin They may fit, although you will have to accept certain integration or automation limitations.

If you handle income tax and other taxes for clients, you probably need professional software for consulting (Sage, TeamSystem Renta, Cegid and company), which allows for mass campaigns, file control and team coordination.

Looking ahead, working with software that complies with the Anti-Fraud Law, includes a declaration of responsibility, and is capable of connecting to the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT), is no longer optional but a necessity. Choosing wisely now will allow you to avoid unpleasant surprises, focus on doing your job well, and make the most of tax planning opportunities, instead of constantly putting out fires every time it's time to file taxes.