Work out exactly what MTD for Income Tax means for you

Exactly what you must do, and when.

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Independent
Updated for 2026/27
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Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD) changes how sole traders and landlords report to HMRC. Instead of one annual Self Assessment return, you keep digital records and send quarterly updates through HMRC-recognised software, with a final declaration each January.

It applies from 6 April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000, from April 2027 for income over £30,000, and from April 2028 for income over £20,000.

Qualifying income is your gross income before expenses, combined across your self-employment and any property you let. Use the tools below to work out where you stand.

Last verified: 7 July 2026.

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Find out if and when MTD applies to you.

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Tools

MTD Start Date Checker Work out your wave and start date in under a minute MTD Deadline Calculator Every filing and payment date for your first two years, plus a calendar download MTD Software Chooser A ranked shortlist of MTD software that fits you, free routes first MTD Cost Calculator What MTD could cost you a year, as a range you can adjust MTD Penalty Calculator What a missed deadline actually costs, in points and pounds MTD Qualifying Income Calculator Add up your income before expenses to see which MTD threshold it crosses Free MTD Spreadsheet Template Pack Free income and expense templates, ready for bridging software

Guides

Plain-English answers to the questions people actually ask, grouped by topic.

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TaxQuarters is independent. We are not HMRC, not a software vendor, and not an accountancy firm selling you services. Every fact on this site links to its official source and shows the date it was last verified.