Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) is the biggest change to Self Assessment since it was introduced in 1997 — and it is now live. From 6 April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 must keep digital records and send HMRC an update every quarter. If that's you and you're still doing everything in a spreadsheet you post once a year, this article tells you exactly what has to change.
Who Must Comply — and When
The rules are phased in by income level. Your qualifying income is your combined gross income (turnover, before expenses) from self-employment and property:
| Start date | Who is mandated | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | Qualifying income over £50,000 | Your 2024/25 tax return |
| 6 April 2027 | Qualifying income over £30,000 | Your 2025/26 tax return |
| 6 April 2028 | Qualifying income over £20,000 | Your 2026/27 tax return |
Two important details people miss. First, the test is gross income, not profit — a landlord with £52,000 of rent and £30,000 of mortgage interest and costs is still mandated. Second, self-employment and property income are added together: £28,000 of trading income plus £25,000 of rent puts you over the £50,000 line.
You can check whether and when you're caught using HMRC's official tool: Check if you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
What Actually Changes
Under MTD for Income Tax you must:
- Keep digital records of all business income and expenses in MTD-compatible software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and others) or a spreadsheet connected through bridging software
- Send quarterly updates to HMRC — a summary of income and expenses for each three-month period, per trade and per property business
- Finalise your year with a final declaration (which replaces the Self Assessment return), still due by 31 January following the tax year
Your tax payment dates do not change: 31 January balancing payment and the usual payments on account remain as they are. The quarterly updates are information, not payments.
The Quarterly Deadlines
| Quarter | Period covered | Update due by |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 April – 5 July | 7 August |
| Q2 | 6 July – 5 October | 7 November |
| Q3 | 6 October – 5 January | 7 February |
| Q4 | 6 January – 5 April | 7 May |
You can elect to use calendar quarters (ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December, 31 March) if that suits your bookkeeping better — the deadlines stay the same.
Penalties: The Points System
MTD brings the points-based penalty regime to Income Tax. Each missed quarterly update earns a penalty point; when you reach four points, HMRC charges a £200 penalty, and a further £200 for every subsequent miss until you reset your record with a sustained period of compliance. Late payment penalties are separate and escalate at 15 days and 30 days overdue, plus interest. Ignoring MTD is not a cheap option.
Who Is Exempt?
You can apply for exemption if you are digitally excluded — for example, where age, disability, location (no internet access) or religious beliefs make using software unreasonable. Exemption is not automatic; you must apply to HMRC and they must agree. Details are in HMRC's guidance: Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Partnerships are not yet mandated, and income taxed solely under PAYE is not affected.
What You Should Do Now
- Check your 2024/25 gross income — that return decides whether you're in from April 2026
- Choose software early — moving your records mid-year is far more painful than starting clean from 6 April
- Open a separate business bank account if you don't have one — it makes digital bookkeeping dramatically simpler
- Get into a monthly habit — quarterly deadlines punish people who leave bookkeeping to January
- Speak to an accountant about whether they will file your quarterly updates for you, and what it will cost
How SMD Accountancy Can Help
At SMD Accountancy we are onboarding sole traders and landlords onto MTD-compatible software, handling quarterly updates on their behalf, and making sure nobody collects penalty points. If you're over — or close to — the £50,000 threshold, get in touch for a free conversation before the first quarterly deadline on 7 August 2026.