- MTD for VAT is for all VAT-registered businesses, regardless of turnover.
- MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) begins on and will affect hundreds of thousands of sole traders and landlords.
- You must use Making Tax Digital compatible software to keep digital records and file returns.
- A points-based system now applies for late submissions, with a £200 fine for reaching your points threshold.
Your MTD for VAT Checklist: Digital Records, Software, and Submission
MTD for Value Added Tax (VAT) is mandatory for every VAT-registered business. This rule has applied since , regardless of whether your turnover is above or below the £90,000 threshold.
MTD for VAT compliance requires you to keep digital records for at least six years, use compatible accounting software, and submit returns through it.
Submission and payment deadlines remain unchanged. HMRC automatically enrols new businesses that register for VAT into the MTD system.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Starts 6 April 2026 for Sole Traders and Landlords
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) enables sole traders and landlords to create, store and correct digital records of self-employment and property income and expenses.
Comply with the £50,000 and £30,000 Income Thresholds
The first deadline is . You must follow the MTD for Income Tax rules from this date if your total qualifying income on your / tax return was over £50,000. A year later, from , the threshold drops to include anyone with a qualifying income over £30,000.
Qualifying income is the combined total from all your self-employed businesses and property lettings before you deduct any expenses. Employment income, dividends, and savings interest do not count towards this threshold.
Submit Quarterly Updates for Each Income Source
Under MTD for ITSA, you no longer file a single annual tax return for your business. Instead, you must send quarterly updates to HMRC summarising your income and expenses. These updates are due by the 7th of the month following the end of each tax quarter.
If you have more than one trade, you must submit separate updates for each. A sole trader who is also a landlord must submit eight quarterly updates per year.
Your Final Declaration Replaces the Old Tax Return
After the tax year ends, you must review your quarterly data, make any final accounting and tax adjustments, and submit a Final Declaration to HMRC. This declaration confirms your business income and includes details of any personal income, such as employment or dividends.
The deadline for the Final Declaration is following the end of the tax year, the same as the current Self Assessment deadline.
Use MTD Compatible Software to File Returns
You cannot use the old government gateway portal to comply with MTD. You must use software that can connect directly to HMRC’s digital systems. HMRC does not provide its own software but maintains an official list of approved products.
Full Accounting Software Automates the Entire Process
Full accounting software packages like Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent handle everything from digital record-keeping and invoicing to submitting quarterly updates and your Final Declaration directly to HMRC. Many high-street banks, including NatWest and RBS, offer FreeAgent for free with a business bank account.
Bridging Software Connects Spreadsheets to HMRC
If you prefer to keep your records in a spreadsheet, you can use bridging software. The software acts as a connector, taking the data from your spreadsheet and sending it to HMRC in a compliant format. You must ensure your spreadsheet has digital links between cells. HMRC’s rules do not allow manual copying and pasting of totals.
Free Software Options Exist for Simpler Businesses
To ensure cost is not a barrier, several software providers offer free MTD-compatible products. Tools from providers such as QuickFile, Sage, and Zoho Books are available at no cost to sole traders and landlords with straightforward tax affairs, supporting HMRC’s commitment to free software.
A New Points System Replaces Old Late Submission Fines
A new penalty regime for late submissions and late payments took effect for VAT in and will apply to MTD for ITSA from its launch.
You Get One Penalty Point for Each Missed Deadline
For each submission deadline you miss, you receive one penalty point. Once you reach a points threshold, you receive a £200 fine. The threshold for quarterly filers is four points. You will be fined an additional £200 for each subsequent late submission while you are at the threshold.
Points expire after 24 months, but only if you have a consistent record of on-time filing. For the first year of MTD for ITSA (/), HMRC will not issue penalty points for late quarterly updates to help businesses adjust. This grace period does not apply to the Final Declaration.
Late Payment Penalties Increase After 15 Days
You get a 15-day grace period to pay your tax bill without a penalty, though interest accrues from day one. If you pay between 16 and 30 days late, you face a penalty of 3% of the tax you owe. If the tax is still unpaid after 30 days, the penalty increases.
You Can Get an Exemption if MTD Software Filing is Not Practical
You can apply for an exemption from MTD if it is not reasonably practical for you to use digital tools. Valid reasons include age, disability, living in a remote location with no internet access, or religious beliefs that are incompatible with using electronic communications.
HMRC will not grant an exemption based on cost or a lack of familiarity with software. If you think you qualify, you must contact HMRC directly to apply.
How Making Tax Digital Affects Your Business Type
The impact of MTD varies depending on your business structure. Sole traders and landlords face a fundamental shift in their tax administration, while limited companies and partnerships will see little to no change.
Limited Companies Only Face MTD for VAT
If you run a VAT-registered limited company, you must comply with MTD for VAT. However, HMRC officially cancelled MTD for Corporation Tax. Companies will continue to file their CT600 tax returns using existing methods, with no MTD requirements for Corporation Tax now or in the future.
Sole Traders and Landlords Face the Biggest Changes
Sole traders and landlords are the most affected by the next phase of MTD. Those already registered for VAT must comply with both MTD for VAT and the new MTD for ITSA rules. From , anyone with gross business or property income over £50,000 must begin keeping digital records and submitting quarterly updates. This threshold falls to £30,000 on . The shift from one annual return to four or more submissions per year represents a fundamental change in tax administration for the self-employed.
Partnerships are Postponed Indefinitely
Because HMRC postponed MTD for partnerships indefinitely, all partnerships will continue to file an annual SA800 partnership tax return as normal. However, if you are a partner in a partnership but also have separate self-employment or property income, you must follow the MTD for ITSA rules for that personal income if it exceeds the threshold. Your share of partnership income does not count towards the MTD threshold.
How to Prepare for the April 2026 MTD for Income Tax Deadline
If you are a sole trader or landlord, you should act now to get ready for MTD.
Confirm Your MTD Start Date
Check your gross income from self-employment and property on your most recent tax return. If it’s near £50,000, plan to join MTD from .
Select Your Software
Research the MTD software options on HMRC’s website. Decide between a full accounting package, bridging software for a spreadsheet, or a free tool.
Go Digital Today
Don’t wait for the deadline. Begin recording all your business income and expenses using your chosen software now. This makes the eventual switch to mandatory quarterly submissions much easier.
Complete Your MTD Registration
You must formally sign up for MTD for ITSA on the GOV.UK website before your first submission is due.
Conclusion
Making Tax Digital is a permanent shift in how you record and report your tax information. For VAT-registered businesses, it is already business as usual. For sole traders and landlords, the deadline is approaching fast.
The most critical mistake to avoid is confusing gross income with profit. The MTD for ITSA threshold is based on your total turnover before expenses, pulling many businesses with modest profits into the new system. The businesses that navigate this change successfully will be those that choose their software early and begin keeping digital records today.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *