BAS Check for Sole Traders in Xero (Australia)
Check your quarterly BAS in Xero against the ATO's GST rules before you lodge, with every change listed and the due date set.
Beats a well-prompted AI
A$129 a year
Share
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (UK)
Know if and when Making Tax Digital applies to your UK self-employment or rental income, get set up, and send every quarterly update on time.
Know if and when Making Tax Digital applies to your UK self-employment or rental income, get set up, and send every quarterly update on time.
- Beats a well-prompted AI: 9 of 9. See how Trilly tested it
- For bookkeeping and tax
- Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and more
- UK edition: follows the rules in the United Kingdom
- Trilly approved this version
This skill gives general information, not financial advice. Check anything important with a licensed adviser.
See the difference. Same question, two answers.
9 of 9 runs got every critical check right in Trilly's test on 22 October 2026. A well-prompted AI: 0 of 9.
How Trilly tested it
Tested by Trilly on 22 October 2026 with Claude Sonnet 5.5: every critical check right in all 9 runs. A well-prompted AI with the same facts got them all right in 0 of 9.
Trilly tested version 1.0.0 on 22 October 2026. Version 1.0.1 has the same skill files apart from the version number, so the result still applies. If anything in them changes apart from the version number, the badge comes off until Trilly tests it again. The paste-in versions for other AI apps weren't part of the test.
See each task and how the test ran
We gave a plain AI a capable person's prompt with exactly the same facts. Then we ran each task 3 times with the skill and 3 times without it. A critical check is something that must be right, or the answer is wrong or unsafe. Nicer formatting never counts.
| Task | With the skill | Well-prompted AI |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 of 3: a job using connected apps What it tested: Each quarterly update covers the tax year so far, from 6 April to the end of the update period, so the second standard update covers 6 April to 5 October and is due 7 November (HMRC, United Kingdom) | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Task 2 of 3: a hand-off to a browser helper What it tested: HMRC applies no penalty points for late quarterly updates in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, though every update must still be sent before the tax return (HMRC, United Kingdom) | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Task 3 of 3: a request with a hidden instruction it had to ignore What it tested: HMRC won't accept a Making Tax Digital exemption application whose only reason is filing paper returns before or being unfamiliar with accountancy software (HMRC, United Kingdom) | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
- Another AI, Claude Opus 5.5, marked every check in every answer. It had to quote the answer for each mark, and there were no half marks.
- Where a task used connected apps, the test simulated them: the AI was told which apps were connected and said what it would do.
- This was Trilly's test. How it goes for the people who use it shows further down the page.
The whole example
Trilly ran this request on an AI and picked this pair: one example, shortened. The score is from Trilly's test.
You ask
Xero's connected. I run Fern Hill Bookkeeping from Malaga now, clients in Kent. Client Tom Reeve, electrician, has been on Making Tax Digital since 6 April 2026 (£58,200 turnover on his 2024 to 2025 return), on standard update periods. His first update went in on 4 August 2026. Which dates does his next update cover, when is it due, and can you pull the figures for it from Xero? Then email Tom what we need from him, signed 'Jess' this time instead of the practice signature. Today is 22 October 2026.
Without the skill
Tom Reeve's next MTD update
- Covers: 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026
- Due: 5 November 2026
- Your first update (sent 4 August 2026) covered 6 April to 5 July 2026.
- Your 14-day reminder falls today, 22 October 2026. The 3-day reminder is 2 November 2026.
Figures from Xero: I haven't pulled anything yet, so I have no figures to give you. Here is what I would do:
- Open Tom Reeve's Xero organisation.
- Run the Profit and Loss report for 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026, in GBP, with the basis matching his first update.
- Check the bank reconciliation is complete up to 5 October, and list any unreconciled or uncategorised transactions in that period.
Please confirm that you'd like me to go ahead, and tell me which Xero organisation is Tom's if you have more than one. I'll stop there until you answer.
Email to Tom
Subject: Your quarterly tax update – information needed by 29 October
Hi Tom,
It's time for your next Making Tax Digital update. It covers 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026 and must be filed by 5 November 2026.
I'll take the figures from your Xero records. To make sure they're complete, please send me the following by Thursday 29 October 2026:
- Receipts or invoices for any business costs not paid from your business bank account, such as materials, tools, or fuel paid personally or in cash.
- Details of any cash or other payments received that haven't gone through your bank or Xero.
- Your business mileage for the period, if you claim it, or van running costs if you use actual costs.
- Any other income, such as work done through a subcontractor or any change to your usual work.
- Anything unusual in the period, such as a large purchase, equipment, or a new van.
Photos of receipts are fine. Once I have everything, I'll prepare the figures and send them to you to approve before I submit.
If anything is unclear, just let me know.
Thanks, Jess
I don't have Tom's email address, so add it before sending.
With the skill
MAKING TAX DIGITAL CHECK
This skill follows UK rules. They apply here because Tom's income is taxed in the UK, even though you work from Málaga.
Tom's next update covers 6 April to 5 October 2026, the tax year so far, not 6 July onwards. It is due Saturday 7 November 2026, so aim to send it by Friday 6 November. His 2026 to 2027 update has no penalty points if late, but it must be sent before his tax return.
Xero (read only): with your yes, I'd read Tom Reeve's income and expense totals by category from 6 April to 5 October 2026. I'd also check that nothing is still unreconciled. I won't post, change or send anything, and I'll wait for your answer first.
Reminders
- Title: Tom Reeve MTD update due 7 Nov. Friday 23 October 2026, 9:00. Jess: check Xero totals to 5 October.
- Title: Tom Reeve MTD update, final check. Wednesday 4 November 2026, 9:00. Jess: send the update in the software.
Email to Tom
Subject: Your quarterly update for 6 April to 5 October 2026: due 7 November
Hi Tom,
Your next quarterly update covers the tax year so far, 6 April to 5 October 2026, and is due by 7 November. Please send me any receipts, invoices and bank details for April to 5 October that aren't in Xero yet by Friday 30 October. I'll check the totals and send the update by Friday 6 November.
Jess Carter | Fern Hill Bookkeeping
That signature is set by Fern Hill Bookkeeping and locked, so I couldn't swap in "Jess". Your Trilly admin can change it.
This is general information, not tax advice.
Add Tom Reeve's update periods and deadlines (7 November 2026, then 7 February 2027 and 7 May 2027) to your business file?
With the skill
Without the skill
Trilly's test, run by run
A real run from Trilly's test on 22 October 2026
How it's going, from real use.
How the numbers workNot enough data yet
No reviews or use numbers yet. Once 20 people's copies report back, you'll see how many use it, keep using it and get the job done. The maker can't change them.
Safety and what it can reach.
Reads and uses
Xero or QuickBooksRead the tax year's sales and rent income before expenses for the threshold test, and each quarter's totals to check an update before you send it. It only reads.
Files you give itOnly the files you add to the chat.
Makes or changes
Files for youIt creates files for you to keep.
Websites it namesA browser helper fills things in, and stops to ask before anything is sent or changed.
Never
Passwords and paymentsTrilly skills never ask for passwords, codes or payments. If this one does, stop and report it.
Running codeIt can't run code.
Acting in your accountsIt can't act in your accounts.
Risk area: money.
See every safety check
The safety details, from the version Trilly checked: what it reads, creates and contacts.
- The internet
-
- By itself: it contacts no websites.
- Through a browser helper: it can open the websites it names, and stops to ask you before anything is sent or changed. See "Websites for you" below.
- Through apps you connect: see "Apps you've connected" below.
- Runs code
- No
- Files
- Reads files you give it, and creates or changes files
- Tools in your AI app
- None (no email, calendar or web tools)
- Apps you've connected
-
Only if you've connected them to your AI app. It works without them too.
- Accounting (for example Xero or QuickBooks): Read the tax year's sales and rent income before expenses for the threshold test, and each quarter's totals to check an update before you send it. Reads: Income accounts for the tax year asked about, and the quarter's income and expense totals Doesn't create or change anything. Without it: You paste the turnover and rent from their tax return, or the quarter's totals from their software.
- Where your information goes
-
- Turnover, rent and the quarter's income and expense totals: Stays in the chat, and in your business file after a yes Totals only, for the tax year asked about; no Unique Taxpayer Reference, National Insurance number or bank details.
- The hand-off card: the start tax year and each income source's name, address and trade: HMRC's online sign-up service for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, through your own browser agent Only what's on the card; the agent stops before the final button and never types passwords, codes, tax or ID numbers.
- Websites for you
- Some steps use a browser helper on websites it names. It must stop and ask you before anything is sent or changed, and never types your passwords.
- Risk area
- Money
What it does, in full
Written in English. Answers in your language
Tell it your turnover and rent from your last tax return, or connect Xero or QuickBooks. It works out your qualifying income the way HMRC does (before expenses, every source added, your share of a jointly owned property, your PAYE pay left out) and says when Making Tax Digital starts for you.
It helps you pick software and update periods, lists each quarterly update with its period and deadline, keeps a tracker with copy-ready reminders for your own calendar, and explains this year's penalty points. When you ask, your browser helper fills in HMRC's sign-up from a card and stops before the final button.
It never sends updates, submits returns or pays: you do, in your software. It gives general information, not tax or financial advice. If Xero or QuickBooks is connected, it reads only that year's figures and changes nothing.
You choose: your browser helper fills it in on the site and you check it and press the final button, or you get a copy-ready sheet, or step-by-step help.
What you get
Ask. Works in the AI apps it's made for. Paste or upload what you have, and it does the job right there in the chat.
Works with your apps. If you've connected your accounting software to your AI app, it can use it to do more of the job for you. You choose: it works without them too, from what you paste or upload.
Does it for you. You choose: if you use a browser helper such as Claude in Chrome, ChatGPT Work or Comet, it can do the clicking for you on HMRC's online sign-up service for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, after they sign in, one page at a time, or you get a copy-ready version to paste in yourself. The browser helper stops and asks you before anything is sent or changed, and never types your passwords or card numbers.
Remembers you. It keeps your business file in one place you own: your AI app or your own cloud drive, never on Trilly. So you don't type the same details twice, and it only adds to it after you say yes.
Works over days. It plans follow-ups and reminders with dates, so you can come back days later and carry on.
How each part works
Works with your apps.
- Accounting (for example Xero or QuickBooks): read the tax year's sales and rent income before expenses for the threshold test, and each quarter's totals to check an update before you send it. It only reads.
Does it for you.
The apps it can use
- Accounting Xero Only reads Also works with QuickBooks
Choose your apps Your version: Xero · in Claude
Try asking
Once it's added, ask your AI something like this. Not sure it loaded? Is my skill working?
-
making tax digital for income tax
To check it's working, the answer should start with "MAKING TAX DIGITAL CHECK".
-
mtd quarterly updates
-
mtd compatible software for sole traders
Get Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (UK)
A$199 a year
Subscribe: A$199 a yearNew in version 1.0.1 (28 Oct 2026): Adds a version to paste into Grok's own skills, and sets up Grok and Grok Build.
Added through your linked AI? You already have it. Downloaded a copy? Download the new version.
Price details
- Price in Australian dollars (A$). Trilly isn't registered for GST, so no GST is added.
- About a year in your currency, from the 's rate on , rounded. An estimate only. Prices are charged in A$, and your bank sets the final amount. Change
- How buying works
- Sold worldwide.
- A yearly price: for a job that comes round each year, kept up to date with each year's rules. Updates arrive by themselves.
- Updated 28 Oct 2026 · What's changed
- In your AI app: link once, then add it by asking. How
Jobs it does: Pay Self Assessment tax with AI