If you are a UK freelancer or sole trader, trying new financial software should not feel like a major commitment. A free plan gives you the opportunity to explore the tools, test the workflow, and decide whether the software genuinely makes managing your business easier. With tax automation software, you can explore features designed to reduce repetitive admin, organise financial records, and help you stay on top of everyday bookkeeping.

Taxara offers a free plan, so you can start without immediately committing to a paid subscription. The best approach is to use the trial period or free access actively rather than simply signing up and forgetting about it.

Why Try Tax Software Before Paying?

Every self-employed person manages their finances differently. A freelance graphic designer may send several invoices each month, while a plumber might have dozens of expenses for materials, fuel, and tools.

Because of these differences, software that works well for one business may not be the right fit for another. Trying a platform first lets you see whether its features match your actual working habits.

You can check how easily you can record income, organise expenses, manage receipts, and review financial information. You can also see whether the interface feels comfortable enough to use regularly.

This matters because the best financial software is not necessarily the one with the longest feature list. It is the one you will actually use consistently.

Start by Setting Up Your Business Information

Once you create your account, begin by entering the basic information needed to reflect your business accurately.

Take your time with the initial setup. If your business details are incomplete or incorrect, you may not get a realistic idea of how the platform will work for you.

Think about the types of transactions your business handles regularly. Consider your typical customers, recurring expenses, invoices, and payment patterns.

For example, a self-employed electrician may want to see how easily the system handles customer invoices and tracks payments. A taxi driver may be more interested in managing frequent expenses and keeping financial records organised.

The goal of your first session should be to create a realistic starting point rather than simply clicking through every feature.

Test Invoice Creation and Payment Tracking

For many sole traders, invoicing is a regular part of running a business. If you send invoices manually, you may spend time creating documents, checking payment status, and following up on unpaid amounts.

Taxara includes AI invoice creation designed to help users create professional invoices and track payments automatically.

When testing this feature, create an invoice based on a real-world example from your business. Check whether the process feels quick and whether the information you need is easy to enter.

You should also consider how useful payment tracking is for your situation. If you have multiple clients, having a clearer view of outstanding payments can help you understand what money is still expected to arrive.

A good test is to ask yourself whether the software would save you time compared with your current invoicing process.

See How Receipt Scanning Handles Your Expenses

Expense management is another area worth testing carefully.

Many self-employed professionals collect receipts throughout the month. These could include fuel costs, equipment, software subscriptions, materials, or other legitimate business expenses.

Manually entering every receipt can become tedious, especially when you are busy working with customers.

Taxara's AI receipt scanning feature is designed to scan receipts and automatically categorise expenses. When trying the feature, use a few genuine examples from your own business and check how accurately the information is captured.

Pay attention to whether the expense category makes sense and whether you can easily correct it if necessary.

Automation can save time, but you should always review financial information before relying on it. You remain responsible for ensuring your business records are accurate and that expenses are treated correctly for tax purposes.

Explore AI-Powered Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is often one of the biggest administrative challenges for people who work for themselves.

A sole trader might receive payments from different customers while also making regular purchases for business purposes. If these transactions are not organised, understanding your financial position can become difficult.

Taxara's AI-powered bookkeeping is designed to automatically categorise transactions and track expenses.

When testing the system, focus on whether it reduces repetitive work. Ask yourself how much time you currently spend organising transactions and whether automation could make that process easier.

It is also useful to review how the software presents your financial information. Clear records can help you understand where your money is coming from and where it is being spent.

Remember that automated bookkeeping should support your financial management, not replace your judgement. Review categories and transactions regularly to make sure everything is correct.

Check Financial Reports Before Making Decisions

Financial reports can be valuable even for a very small business.

You do not need to run a large company to benefit from understanding your income, expenses, and overall financial performance. A simple report can help you spot changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Taxara provides AI financial reporting designed to give users clearer information about their business performance.

While testing the software, look at whether the reports are easy to understand. If you are not an accountant, you should be able to find useful information without needing to interpret complicated financial terminology.

Consider whether the reports could help you make practical decisions, such as reviewing your expenses, adjusting your pricing, or planning for upcoming tax payments.

The real value is not simply having reports available. It is being able to use the information to make better decisions about your business.

Consider Your UK Tax and MTD Requirements

UK sole traders have specific record-keeping and tax responsibilities, so any financial software you choose should fit your situation.

For example, the Self Assessment online tax return deadline is generally 31 January following the end of the relevant tax year. Keeping records organised throughout the year can make preparing your return less stressful than trying to reconstruct everything at the last minute.

Making Tax Digital is another consideration for many businesses. The requirements depend on factors such as your income, tax obligations, and whether you are VAT registered.

Taxara includes an AI VAT Return Assistant designed to help users with VAT-related processes and support Making Tax Digital compliance.

However, software does not remove your responsibility to understand your tax obligations. If you are unsure about your position, particularly where VAT or complex expenses are involved, professional advice may be appropriate.

Test the AI Chat Assistant

One feature that can be useful when exploring financial software is an in-app assistant.

Taxara includes an AI Chat Assistant designed to answer financial questions inside the app. When testing it, try asking practical questions related to your everyday financial administration.

The aim is to see whether the answers are understandable and relevant to the type of questions you typically have.

Remember that an AI assistant should not be treated as a substitute for professional tax or accounting advice. Tax rules can depend on your individual circumstances, and complex situations may require guidance from a qualified professional.

Still, having an accessible assistant for general financial questions can be useful when you need help understanding routine tasks.

Decide Whether the Free Plan Meets Your Needs

After testing the main features, take a step back and consider the overall experience.

Ask yourself whether the software saves time, makes your records easier to manage, and helps you understand your finances more clearly.

Taxara offers a free plan, while its premium offering starts at £6.99 per month. This gives you an opportunity to assess the platform before deciding whether you need additional functionality.

A useful evaluation should focus on practical value rather than simply counting features. If the software helps you spend less time on repetitive administration and gives you better visibility over your business finances, it may be worth considering as part of your regular workflow.

Take the Next Step With Taxara

If you want to see whether Taxara fits the way you run your business, try Taxara free and test the features using your own real-world bookkeeping needs. Start by setting up your business information, create an invoice, scan a receipt, review your transactions, and explore your financial reports. Then decide whether the free plan gives you enough value or whether upgrading makes sense for your business.