How accountants can get ahead during tax season’s busiest time

UK tax season is a real test of endurance, but as January 31 looms, it turns into a sprint to the finish.

For small accountancy firms, this is when every second counts. It’s about keeping your momentum, staying sharp, and looking after you and your firm.

What this blog is (and isn’t) about

This blog focuses on practical advice, quick wins, and resources to take the edge off when the pressure is at its peak.

Part 1: Golden advice for what many call “busy season”

What rules of thumb ensure you stay healthy, strong and resilient as you work through those final tax returns?

Share and delegate

When the going gets tough, it’s tempting to shoulder everything yourself. But chances are someone on your team has the capacity to help; you just need to ask. Accountants often get so caught up in the detail that they miss opportunities to share the load. And if you’re working remotely, that’s even easier to do.

If you’re struggling, talk to your team. Delegate where you can, or consider outsourcing, even if you’re a solo practitioner. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that effective delegation is critical to managerial success and that those who delegate well can even increase earnings. Don’t be afraid to brief a colleague. It’s almost always worth the time.

Outsourcing can be set up quickly, and it doesn’t have to mean long-term commitments – so speak to a vendor to establish timeframes.

Stop and recharge

Long hours are common, and burnout is real. It’s also one of the fastest ways to lose clients, frustrate colleagues, and tank productivity. That means looking after yourself is essential.

Schedule time away from work and protect those breaks. Go to the gym, see friends, set a hard stop so you can be with family. And don’t neglect the basics: hydration, exercise, and doing something to take your mind away from the stress. It’s all part of the job.

Check in with yourself, too. Are you tired all the time? Losing sleep? Feeling overwhelmed? These are warning signs. Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or high blood pressure – and emotional red flags like feeling trapped, unmotivated, or joyless – shouldn’t be ignored.

Tip: Small breaks can make a big difference. Even a short walk or putting the kettle on can top up your energy levels.

Lunch and team-building

Big “away days” aren’t practical during peak periods, but quick morale boosters can go a long way. A team lunch is one example, just make sure junior staff aren’t left out of pocket. Evening outings tend to land less well; after a long day, most people would rather switch off and see family or friends during this time (see above) than head to the pub with colleagues.

Tip: Organise quick team-building activities during the workday. A shared lunch, a quiz, or small “thank you” gifts can boost morale and keep everyone connected.

Part 2: Maximising your capabilities during peak tax season

There are always resources you can tap for information, and IRIS has a selection.

Watch IRIS Certified webinars

It’s always a good idea to ensure you’re using your software to its fullest. That’s why we created our IRIS Certified webinars, packed with industry insights. Topics include:

• Making the most of your existing software
• Creating e-checklists for personal tax
• Importing data from third-party bookkeeping software
• Efficiently chasing client information
• Overseeing your team’s work throughout tax season
• Smart ways to re-assign work
• Using existing data to deliver a stellar service

Check out the full webinar schedule here. If you’re busy, you can always watch on demand.

Tap into blogs and guides

The IRIS blog section covers everything from winning mindsets to escaping the “tunnel of stress.” Learn why bravado isn’t the answer, how to keep perspective, and how systems can help you carve out extra time. The guides section is a treasure trove of best practices, including outsourcing. Use it to evaluate if it’s right for your business, get answers to common questions, and learn what to ask when picking a software vendor.

Read the blogs here.

Get your FREE guides here.

Tip: Blogs and guides are updated regularly, so it is a good idea to bookmark both.

Part 3: Powerful software and services for peak tax season

You might not want to rethink your systems when things are at their most hectic, but a quick boost – like extra software licences or outsourcing – can really help.

Here are some examples.

IRIS Personal Tax

IRIS Personal Tax offers a powerful e-checklist and a unified client list, so you’re not double-checking data.

Tip: If you’re using IRIS Personal Tax or IRIS Trust Tax, consider adding the Dividend Module for faster, more accurate returns.

Discover more.

IRIS OpenSpace

Document sharing with clients is critical during tax season. IRIS OpenSpace links to your workflow, streamlining approvals and payments, and ending the need to exchange confidential info over unsecured email. It’s accessible on any device, providing a seamless, collaborative experience.

Tip: Use OpenSpace to keep everyone aligned. Its client-facing portal makes collaboration simple and secure.

Discover more.

IRIS Elements AML

Get cloud-powered compliance in just a few clicks, even if you don’t use the full IRIS Elements platform. Tailor your ‘Know Your Customer’ checklist, benefit from alerts, automated reminders, configurable dashboards, suspicious activity reports, and secure storage.

Tip: The solution’s automated reminders and bulk ID checks – and our new biometric checks – help you stay compliant and save time.

Discover more.

IRIS Outsourcing

Outsourcing can bring a new lease of life to your firm: it takes volume-heavy, repetitive tasks off your plate so you can focus on high-value work. IRIS Outsourcing offers full-time availability and expertise at any level.

Discover more.

Your quick tax season checklist

There’s not much time to think outside the box when tax season is at its peak. So what are the short, sharp strategies you can use? To recap what we have discussed here quickly, ask yourself:

• Do you have any scope to outsource?
• Are you and your team using the software you have to its full potential?
• Is your practice’s work evenly shared out?
• Has everyone got some healthy routines in place?
• Are you able to tell easily if someone is struggling?

Beyond tax season – you, your firm, and 2026

Let us fast-forward to February 2026.

When the worst of the work is done, the temptation for some is to try and forget everything and move on. But this is the perfect time to take a moment, recharge and then strategise. Consider:

• Has your team discussed the successes and setbacks of this tax season?
• Are you or your team feeling okay after the rush?
• Has your practice thought about any major software infrastructure upgrades it needs?

Don’t forget: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) is coming

As you power through this tax season, it’s worth remembering that big changes are on the horizon. From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for IT) will start to affect self-employed clients and landlords earning over £50,000. That means this is the last “traditional” tax season for many.

What should you do beforehand?

• Segment your clients: Identify who will be affected by MTD in April.
• Review your workflows: Start exploring digital record-keeping and MTD-compatible software.
• Educate your clients: Begin conversations about what’s changing, so they’re ready when the time comes.

If you need an HMRC-recognised solution, IRIS offers MTD-ready software to help you get started.

Explore what can make your life easier in this busy time.