When does Making Tax Digital start for you?
Landlords and sole traders: answer six short questions to see your start date, your quarterly deadlines and how penalty points work. Then speak to one accountant who files MTD updates, if you want help.
- Your start date: April 2026, 2027 or 2028
- Your four quarterly deadlines and your tax return date
- A checklist you can follow with or without an accountant
Quarterly Ready is an introduction service. We pass your enquiry to one partner accountancy firm, which pays us a fee for each introduction. The check is free.
Three groups need an answer this tax year
Landlords
Your share of rent before costs counts. Two or three lets can take you over £30,000, even with a mortgage on each one.
Check my date as a landlordSole traders
Turnover counts, before expenses. A trade business with sales over £30,000 joins in April 2027, even when profit is thin.
Check my date as a sole traderAlready in since April 2026
Missed the August update or dreading November? See where you stand on penalty points and who can take the updates off your hands.
Check where I standYour MTD dates in two minutes
Every rule comes from HMRC guidance on gov.uk.
- Your start dateApril 2026, 2027 or 2028, and which tax return decides it.
- Your quarterly deadlines7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May, plus 31 January for the return.
- Penalty points in plain EnglishHow points build up, when the £200 penalty applies and when points drop off.
- A checklistRecords, software, joint property and the exemption route, matched to your answers.
- One accountant, if you want oneA firm that files MTD updates calls you once to talk through fees.
From a date to a plan
Answer six questions
Tell us your income type, your rough income and how you file today. You see your start date straight away.
Read your summary
Your deadlines, the penalty rules and a checklist that fits your answers.
Talk to one accountant
If you want help, one firm that files MTD updates calls you to agree a fixed fee.
What accountants charge for MTD
Published prices from UK accountancy firms, October 2026.
| Service | Published price |
|---|---|
| Online accounting for sole traders, MTD included | From £29.50 a month |
| Landlord MTD service | From £29.95 a month |
| Landlord accounting packages | From about £62 a month plus VAT (one provider, October 2026) |
| MTD setup, one-off | £99 |
| Quarterly update filed for you | £35 a quarter |
| HMRC-recognised software for simple tax affairs | Free options listed on gov.uk |
Prices vary with the number of properties, joint ownership and bookkeeping. Ask for a fixed fee in writing before you sign.
What Making Tax Digital asks of landlords and sole traders
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026 for people whose self-employment and property income was over £50,000 on their 2024 to 2025 return. The threshold falls to £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and £20,000 from 6 April 2028.
HMRC uses gross income: rent or turnover before expenses. Wages, pensions and dividends do not count. If you own a property jointly, only your share counts.
Once you are in, you keep digital records and send a short quarterly update by 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. You still file a tax return by 31 January. From the 2027 to 2028 tax year each missed deadline adds a penalty point, and 4 points bring a £200 penalty. A late tax return adds a point in every year.
Common questions
Short answers for landlords and sole traders.
Does my mortgage interest bring me under the threshold?
No. HMRC uses gross rent before any costs. A landlord with rent over £30,000 and high mortgage costs still joins from April 2027.
I own a property with my partner. What counts?
Only your share of the rent counts towards your qualifying income. Each owner checks their own total.
Do I need an accountant for MTD?
No. You can use HMRC-recognised software yourself, and free options exist for simple tax affairs. Many landlords and sole traders hire an accountant to save time and avoid penalty points.
How much will an accountant charge for MTD?
Published MTD prices start at about £29.50 a month for sole traders and £29.95 a month for landlords. Prices vary with the number of properties, joint ownership and bookkeeping. Ask for a fixed fee in writing before you sign.
Can I keep using my spreadsheet?
Yes. HMRC allows bridging software, which sends the figures from your spreadsheet to HMRC. Pick a product from the list of compatible software on gov.uk.
What happens if I miss a quarterly update?
In the 2026 to 2027 tax year HMRC charges no penalty for a missed quarterly update. After that, each missed deadline adds 1 point, and 4 points bring a £200 penalty.
Can I be exempt because of my age?
If age, disability, location or another reason means you cannot use software, you can apply to HMRC for a digital exclusion exemption by phone or letter. HMRC aims to reply within 28 days.
Who will contact me?
One accountancy firm, named in the consent box and our privacy notice. Nobody else receives your details.
MTD accountants across the UK
MTD applies across the UK. Our partner accountants work with clients in person and online.
Latest guides
Know your MTD date before your next deadline
Six questions. Your start date, your deadlines and a checklist in two minutes.
Check my MTD date