Do I need Making Tax Digital?
Yes, if you’re a sole trader or landlord with gross income over £50,000 from April 2026, £30,000 from April 2027 or £20,000 from April 2028.
Read the guideMTD for Income Tax · Updated for 2026/27
Making Tax Digital, explained.
Everything you need to know about MTD for Income Tax: deadlines, thresholds, quarterly updates, software, and what you actually need to do.
Updated for 2026/27
Every guide cites GOV.UK
Free, no sign-up
Next quarterly update due7 November 2026Q2 of 2026/27: 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026
Then 7 February 202735 days left
Check if MTD applies to you
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Add your gross self-employment turnover and your gross property income, before expenses.
Qualifying income£0
An indication only, not tax or financial advice. Exemptions and special cases aren’t covered. See our disclaimer.
Browse by topic
Getting started
What is Making Tax Digital?
A plain-English explanation of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme: what it is, which taxes it covers, and what it means for you.
4 min read
Getting started
MTD for Income Tax: who needs it
Who has to use MTD for Income Tax, the £50,000, £30,000 and £20,000 thresholds, what counts as qualifying income, and how to sign up.
6 min read
Deadlines and penalties
MTD deadlines 2026/27
Every Making Tax Digital deadline for the 2026/27 tax year: the four quarterly updates, the final declaration, and when you actually pay.
4 min read
Getting started
Working out qualifying income
What counts as qualifying income for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, what doesn’t, and worked examples for common situations.
5 min read
Records, updates and software
MTD quarterly updates
What goes into a Making Tax Digital quarterly update, how often you send one, and how to fix mistakes.
5 min read
Deadlines and penalties
MTD penalties explained
How late submission points and £200 penalties work under Making Tax Digital, the 2026/27 grace year, and what happens if you pay late.
4 min read
Records, updates and software
MTD software comparison
A side-by-side comparison of the main kinds of Making Tax Digital software, who each suits, and the questions to ask before you pay.
5 min read
Landlords and property
MTD for landlords
How Making Tax Digital works for landlords: why gross rent counts, jointly owned property, overseas lets, and keeping records with a letting agent.
6 min read
Sole traders and businesses
MTD for sole traders
What Making Tax Digital means if you’re self-employed: the records you need, what you send each quarter, and how to get ready.
6 min read
Showing the 2026/27 tax year
| Period | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1Passed | 6 April – 5 July 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| Quarter 2Next | 6 July – 5 October 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| Quarter 3 | 6 October 2026 – 5 January 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| Quarter 4 | 6 January – 5 April 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
| Final declaration | Confirms your 2026/27 figures and replaces the Self Assessment return | 31 January 2028 |
You can choose calendar quarters (ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March) in your software instead. The deadlines stay the same.
Free checklist
The MTD setup checklist
A step-by-step walkthrough: checking whether you’re in, getting your records ready, choosing software, signing up, and staying on top of every quarter. Free, with no sign-up needed.