| Overview |
The Dashboard is the first screen you see every time you log in to BrightTax. It is your central hub for viewing and managing all tasks across your client list, creating new work, and accessing key areas of the system.
| Dashboard Layout |
The Dashboard has two main views, selectable from the left-hand menu:
- Task List — shows all tasks across all clients. This is the default view on login. Each row shows the task type, client name, tax year, status, and assigned user.
- Client List — shows all clients in your organisation. From here you can create clients, view client records, and create tasks directly against a client.
| Dashboard Icons and Controls |
| Icon / Control | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Notification bell | Displays system notifications and alerts for your account |
| Cog icon (top right) | Opens System Settings — where you manage HMRC credentials, Companies House details, users, and company information |
| User initials (top right) | Shows who you are logged in as. Click to edit your profile or sign out |
| BrightTax logo (top left) | Returns you to the Task List from any page in the system |
| Eye icon (task row) | Opens the task in read-only view |
| Bin icon (task row) | Deletes a task — only available for tasks in Discarded or Not Started status. Grey bin means the task has been started and must be discarded first |
| Create Task button | Creates a new task — available in both Task List and Client List views |
| Show completed tasks tick box | Tick this to include completed tasks in the Task List view. Unticked by default |
| Task Statuses |
Each task in the Task List has a status that shows where it is in the workflow:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Not Started | Task has been created but no work has been done |
| In Progress | Task has been opened and edited at least once |
| Awaiting Approval | Return or accounts have been sent to the client for review |
| Complete | Task has been marked as complete |
| Submitted | Return has been successfully submitted to HMRC or Companies House |
| Discarded | Task has been marked as discarded and is pending deletion |
| ✔ Tip: Use the Show completed tasks tick box to keep your Task List focused on active work. Completed tasks are still accessible when you need them. |
| Navigating to Other Areas |
From the Dashboard, you can access all areas of BrightTax using the left-hand menu. The menu options change depending on which page you are on — from the Dashboard, the key options are Task List, Client List, and Reports.
| Troubleshooting |
I cannot see any tasks on the Dashboard
- Check whether the Show completed tasks box is ticked — if it is, completed tasks should be visible.
- Check that your Client List is not locked to responsible clients only — if it is, you will only see tasks for clients assigned to you.
I cannot delete a task — the bin icon is grey
- Tasks that have been started must be discarded before they can be deleted. Open the task, go to the bottom toolbar, and select Discard. The bin icon will then become active in the Task List.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Can I customise the columns shown in the Task List?
A: The Task List columns are fixed. You can filter and sort tasks but cannot add or remove columns.
Q: How do I find a specific client's tasks quickly?
A: Use the Client List view and click the eye icon next to the client record to view all tasks associated with that client.
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