The short version
Quarterly updates send your business totals to HMRC. They are separate from payments and the annual tax return.
Check the obligation for each business
Tax shows HMRC’s own dates for each personal income source. Standard and calendar periods have different end dates. The usual quarterly deadlines are 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. Read HMRC’s current guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/send-quarterly-updates and use your actual obligation. In Tax, View or change update periods opens the existing business control. Check that choice before your first update. An accepted HMRC reference stays visible as Awaiting HMRC confirmation until HMRC marks the obligation met.
Separate the two tax years over winter
Your 2025 to 2026 online Self Assessment return is normally due on 31 January 2027. Your 2026 to 2027 quarterly updates are a separate task. January and July payments may include payments on account. Check the conditions and dates at https://www.gov.uk/understand-self-assessment-bill/payments-on-account.
A late update still needs sending
HMRC applies no points for 2026 to 2027 quarterly updates, but the tax return and payment rules still matter. Read the conditions at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/penalties-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax. Start with SimpleTaxFlow: £1 + VAT/month for 6 months, then £5 + VAT/month.
Put this into practice
Follow the step-by-step SimpleTaxFlow workflow when you are ready to act.