The short answer
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is HMRC's digital reporting system for qualifying sole traders and landlords. It requires digital records, quarterly summaries for each business and a tax return submitted through compatible software.
What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
MTD for Income Tax is a new way for some Self Assessment customers to keep business records and report income. Instead of preparing business records only for an annual return, you maintain them digitally and send regular summaries through compatible software.
It applies to individuals with qualifying self-employment and property income. It does not turn quarterly updates into quarterly tax returns or automatically change the dates on which Income Tax is paid.
MTD income thresholds and start dates
Your start date is based on gross qualifying income reported for an earlier tax year. Income from self-employment and property is combined for this test.
- More than £50,000 qualifying income: 6 April 2026
- More than £30,000 qualifying income: 6 April 2027
- More than £20,000 qualifying income: 6 April 2028
The MTD year from start to finish
First, choose software, sign up and authorise it to connect with HMRC. During the year, create digital records and send quarterly updates. After the tax year, correct or adjust the business figures, add other required income and complete the tax return through MTD software.
- Quarter 1 deadline: 7 August
- Quarter 2 deadline: 7 November
- Quarter 3 deadline: 7 February
- Quarter 4 deadline: 7 May
- Tax return deadline: 31 January after the tax year
What compatible MTD software needs to do
HMRC says your software needs to create digital records, send quarterly updates and submit your tax return. Beyond those essentials, choose around the way you actually work and every income source you need to report.
- Support your self-employment, UK property or other required income sources
- Make records easy to correct and review
- Show what will be sent before you approve a submission
- Retain evidence and submission history
- Provide a workable route for your accountant, if you use one
Why choose SimpleTaxFlow for MTD?
SimpleTaxFlow is HMRC-recognised software built specifically for UK sole traders and landlords. It combines practical bookkeeping with supported quarterly filing and year-end workflows in one clear portal.
- One annual plan at £60 per year (£5 per month equivalent) after a 30-day free trial
- Web receipt uploads plus optional WhatsApp capture
- CSV, Excel and supported PDF statement imports
- Invoices, quotes, reports, exports and read-only accountant access
- Separate filing views for self-employment and UK property businesses
Frequently asked questions
When did MTD for Income Tax start?
Mandatory use started on 6 April 2026 for qualifying sole traders and landlords with gross self-employment and property income over £50,000.
Do I still submit a tax return under MTD?
Yes. After the tax year, you use compatible software to complete adjustments, add required income and submit your tax return by 31 January.
Do quarterly updates calculate my tax bill?
Quarterly updates are summaries of business income and expense records. They are not tax returns, and the figures may not include all adjustments or other income needed for a final tax calculation.
Is SimpleTaxFlow HMRC recognised?
Yes. SimpleTaxFlow is built against HMRC's official MTD APIs and is presented on the site as HMRC-recognised software for supported income sources.
Check the official rules
MTD rules can change and individual circumstances matter. Use HMRC’s current guidance to confirm eligibility, exemptions, supported income sources and deadlines.
Turn the guidance into a manageable routine.
Keep records, evidence, reports and supported HMRC submissions together. Free for 30 days, then £5 per month equivalent, billed annually at £60.
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