Free check for sole traders and landlords
Making Tax Digital: does it affect you, and when?
Answer three quick questions to find your MTD for Income Tax start date and how ready you are. It takes under a minute.
HMRC START DATES
Over £50,0006 April 2026
Over £30,0006 April 2027
Over £20,0006 April 2028
Three quick questions
3 of 3 answered
YOUR START DATE
You'll need MTD from 6 April 2027
Based on qualifying income over £30,000 on your 2025/26 tax return, due by 31 January 2027.
5
months to get ready
7 Aug 2027
first quarterly update due
Your first MTD year
Quarterly update 1 (April–June)7 Aug 2027
Quarterly update 2 (July–Sept)7 Nov 2027
Quarterly update 3 (Oct–Dec)7 Feb 2028
Quarterly update 4 (Jan–March)7 May 2028
Final declaration31 Jan 2029
How ready are your records?
Some work neededSpreadsheets can still work, but you'll need bridging software to send updates to HMRC, or a move to accounting software.
FREE CHECKLIST
Get your MTD readiness checklist
A one-page plan based on your answers, so you know exactly what to sort out before your start date.
- Your start date and every first-year deadline
- What to change in how you keep records
- How to choose HMRC-recognised software
- Optional: reminders before each quarterly update
General guidance only, based on HMRC's published MTD for Income Tax thresholds. Your start date is based on the qualifying income on your Self Assessment return and some people are exempt. HMRC writes to people it expects to join, but you're responsible for checking. Speak to an accountant about your own situation.