UK tax technology startup Record OS has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding and officially launched its platform designed to modernize self-assessment tax filing and support the UK’s transition to Making Tax Digital.
The funding round was led by Episode 1 and included participation from a group of experienced angel investors, including former CFOs and senior executives from companies such as Wise, Revolut, Deliveroo, and Alphabet.
The investment will support product development, team growth, and customer acquisition as Record OS expands its digital tax platform across the UK market.
Building For A New Era Of Digital Tax Filing
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for the UK tax system.
Since April 2026, self-employed professionals and landlords earning more than £50,000 annually have been required to submit quarterly digital tax updates to HMRC under the government’s Making Tax Digital initiative.
As more taxpayers move toward digital compliance, Record OS aims to simplify a process that many individuals and businesses still find confusing, time-consuming, and expensive.
Advertisement
From Accountant Software To Consumer Tax Platform
The company was founded by former Wise colleagues Dhruv Chadha and José Luis De La Peña, who initially set out to build software for accounting firms managing self-assessment tax returns.
During development, however, the founders discovered that many of the same challenges experienced by accountants also affected individual taxpayers.
Personal experiences reinforced the opportunity. One founder identified an error in his own tax return despite using professional tax services, while the other encountered difficulties navigating HMRC processes after relocating to the UK.
These experiences ultimately led the team to develop a platform focused directly on end users.
Combining Software With Human Expertise
Record OS offers a hybrid approach that combines automation with professional oversight.
The platform simplifies tax filing through user-friendly software while ensuring that every submission is reviewed by a qualified tax professional before being sent to HMRC.
By blending technology with expert verification, the company aims to provide the convenience and affordability of digital tax software while maintaining the reassurance typically associated with traditional tax advisors.
Positioned For Growing Demand
The founders believe that regulatory changes and increasing digitalization are creating significant demand for modern tax solutions.
As Making Tax Digital expands to cover additional taxpayer groups, Record OS expects growing numbers of individuals and small business owners to seek faster and more reliable ways to manage tax compliance.
The newly raised funding will help the company scale its platform and continue improving the user experience as adoption grows.
Founder Perspective
Dhruv Chadha, Co-Founder of Record OS, said:
“We initially started by building software for accountants, but quickly realized the same problems existed for individual taxpayers. Discovering an error in my own tax return despite using professional services highlighted how much friction still exists in the system. That experience became the foundation for what Record OS is building today.”
José Luis De La Peña, Co-Founder of Record OS, added:
“Tax returns remain one of the most frustrating administrative tasks for many people. As Making Tax Digital brings more taxpayers online, we believe there is an opportunity to combine the speed and efficiency of technology with the confidence that comes from expert review.”
Investor Confidence In The Opportunity
Hector Mason, General Partner at Episode 1, said:
“The UK tax landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. Dhruv and José combine deep operational experience with a strong focus on solving customer pain points. We believe they are building a platform with the potential to become the default solution for self-assessment and digital tax filing.”
About Record OS
Founded by Dhruv Chadha and José Luis De La Peña, Record OS is a UK-based tax technology company focused on automating tax filing and accounting workflows for businesses and individuals. Its platform connects directly with financial data sources, helping users manage tax obligations more efficiently, reduce administrative work, and remain compliant with evolving regulatory requirements.
