Answer 4 quick questions and find out exactly whether HMRC's new rules apply to you — and what to do next.
MTD for Income Tax comes into force on 6 April 2026 — but it doesn't apply to everyone. Find out your situation in under 2 minutes.
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What this means for your tax obligations
You don't have self-employment or property rental income, so MTD for Income Tax doesn't apply to you at all. There's nothing to sign up for or prepare.
If you currently file a Self Assessment return (e.g. for capital gains, high savings interest, or income over £100k), that process is unchanged by MTD.
What to do — and what to watch for
Your income is below all current MTD thresholds. You don't need to sign up, change your software, or do anything differently today.
If your gross income grows above £20,000 — even briefly — HMRC uses the tax year total to determine your threshold. Keep a record so you know where you stand.
The government has proposed extending MTD to incomes over £20,000 from April 2028. This hasn't been confirmed yet — the Budget will make it clearer. We'll email you if anything changes.
Prepare now — MTD may be 2 years away for you
MTD doesn't apply to you yet. Your proposed start date is April 2028 — but this hasn't been confirmed in law. You have time.
Even if you're not required to yet, switching to a simple tool like Untied (free) or a spreadsheet means you'll be ready when the time comes with no last-minute scramble.
MTD requires you to be registered for Self Assessment first. If you're not yet, register on GOV.UK — it takes a few weeks to process.
HMRC will confirm (or change) the £20k threshold at the Budget. We'll email you if anything significant changes.
MTD is mandatory for you from April 2027 — start preparing now
You must be on Self Assessment before you can sign up for MTD. Register on GOV.UK →
You'll need software that can send quarterly updates directly to HMRC. Good options:
Some links above may be affiliate links — we only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Once you have compatible software, sign up via GOV.UK → You'll need your National Insurance number and Government Gateway login.
From your start date, you must keep digital records of all income and expenses and send quarterly updates to HMRC via your software.
MTD applies now — here's what to confirm
Good. You're already on the system. Make sure your Government Gateway details are up to date.
Check your software is on the HMRC approved list → and that you've enabled MTD submissions within it.
Even with compatible software, you need to formally sign up. Do this at GOV.UK →
This covers income and expenses from 6 April to 5 July 2026. Your software should guide you through this — it's simpler than a full tax return.
You need to verify and possibly upgrade your software
Not all accounting software is MTD-compatible yet. Check the HMRC approved software list →
Free options that are MTD-ready:
Some links above may be affiliate links — we only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Sign up on GOV.UK → You'll need your NI number and Government Gateway login.
Covers 6 April – 5 July 2026. Late submission may result in penalty points under HMRC's new points-based system.
MTD is mandatory for you now — you have gaps to fill
You cannot sign up for MTD without being on Self Assessment first. Register now on GOV.UK → Allow 2–4 weeks for HMRC to process your registration.
You need this before you can submit anything. Start with a free option to move fast:
Some links above may be affiliate links — we only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Once registered for SA and set up with software: Sign up for MTD →
Given the urgency, an accountant familiar with MTD can get you set up quickly and make sure you're not missing anything. Many offer a free initial call.
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