Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started in April 2026 for the highest earners. If you're self-employed or a landlord, here's exactly what it means for you and what you need to do.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) is HMRC's biggest change to how self-employed people and landlords report their income in decades. After multiple delays, the first phase launched in April 2026 for those with the highest incomes.
Put simply: instead of filing one self-assessment return per year, you'll need to use approved software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC throughout the year. The annual tax return effectively becomes a quarterly process.
If you're not yet in scope, you will be within the next few years. Understanding the system now — and getting the right tools in place — will make the transition significantly easier.
Making Tax Digital is HMRC's programme to move the UK tax system online, requiring businesses and individuals to use software to keep records and submit tax information digitally. MTD for VAT launched in 2019 and is now compulsory for virtually all VAT-registered businesses.
MTD for Income Tax extends the same approach to self-assessment taxpayers — self-employed individuals and landlords — who currently file an annual tax return. Under MTD, they'll need to:
The goal is to give HMRC (and taxpayers) a more accurate, real-time view of income throughout the year, reducing errors and the risk of unexpected tax bills.
MTD for Income Tax is being rolled out in phases, starting with the highest earners:
Self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income (self-employment + property income combined) of more than £50,000 in the 2024/25 tax year.
Those with qualifying income of more than £30,000. Approximately 500,000 additional taxpayers are expected to enter the system at this stage.
Those with qualifying income of more than £20,000. The vast majority of self-employed individuals and landlords will enter the system at this stage.
| Income level | Entry date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Over £50,000 | April 2026 | Now required |
| £30,001–£50,000 | April 2027 | Prepare now |
| £20,001–£30,000 | April 2028 | Plan ahead |
| Under £20,000 | TBC | No date confirmed yet |
You keep records however you like (spreadsheet, folder of receipts, your accountant's system) and submit one self-assessment tax return by 31 January following the end of the tax year. You pay any tax owed by 31 January.
The annual return is replaced by a much more frequent process:
To comply with MTD, you must use HMRC-approved software that can connect directly to HMRC's systems and submit updates on your behalf. You cannot use HMRC's free online filing service for MTD returns.
HMRC maintains a list of compatible software on their website. The main options broadly fall into three categories:
Products like QuickBooks, Xero, FreeAgent and Sage are full cloud accounting solutions that handle MTD submissions alongside your entire bookkeeping. They typically cost £15–£40 per month. Good choice if you have a complex business with multiple income streams, employees or VAT.
Simpler, lower-cost apps designed specifically to meet MTD requirements without full accounting functionality. Often better for sole traders with straightforward income. Examples include Coconut, Countingup, and various others at £5–£15 per month.
If you want to keep records in a spreadsheet, bridging software connects your spreadsheet to HMRC's systems and submits the quarterly data. HMRC has a list of approved bridging software providers. This is the lowest-cost route for those who prefer spreadsheets.
The quarterly update periods are fixed — they don't align with the calendar quarters, but with the tax year:
| Quarter | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 6 April – 5 July | 5 August |
| Quarter 2 | 6 July – 5 October | 5 November |
| Quarter 3 | 6 October – 5 January | 5 February |
| Quarter 4 | 6 January – 5 April | 5 May |
Quarterly updates are not the same as paying tax. They are submissions of income and expense information. HMRC uses them to give you an estimate of your likely tax bill for the year, but tax is still calculated and paid on the traditional self-assessment basis — you'll still make payments on account (January and July) and a balancing payment (January).
Not everyone has to use MTD. HMRC has set out specific exemptions:
The threshold for MTD is based on qualifying income — so if your income drops below the threshold in a later year, you may be able to leave the system. However, you cannot voluntarily leave MTD once enrolled — you have to meet the criteria to exit.
Business partnerships are not included in the current MTD for Income Tax rollout. The timeline for partnerships has not yet been confirmed by HMRC.
Add your self-employment and property income from 2024/25. Over £50,000? You need to act now.
Talk to your accountant or check HMRC's approved software list. Get this sorted before your first quarterly deadline.
You need to sign up for MTD through your HMRC online account or through your accountant's agent account.
If you use an accountant, confirm they're set up for MTD and agree on how your quarterly submissions will work.
Even if your first quarterly deadline isn't imminent, start recording income and expenses digitally now to build the habit.
Not in scope yet? If you earn over £30,000, April 2027 will arrive quickly. Start preparing now.
Work out your Income Tax and NI as a self-employed person for 2026/27
MTD is a significant administrative change — but for most self-employed people and landlords, it becomes much more manageable once you have the right software and a routine in place. The quarterly process should take no more than an hour per quarter for straightforward businesses, and many find that more regular bookkeeping actually gives them better visibility of their finances throughout the year.