MTD for Income Tax · Updated for 2026/27
Making Tax Digital, explained.
Everything you need to know about MTD for Income Tax: deadlines, thresholds, quarterly updates, software, and what you actually need to do.
Updated for 2026/27
Every guide cites GOV.UK
Free, no sign-up
Next quarterly update due
35 days left7 November 2026
Update 2 of 4 for the 2026/27 tax year, covering 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026.
After that: 7 February 2027
Final declaration for 2026/27: 31 January 2028
Check if MTD applies to you
Your result
Enter your income to see the result
Add your gross self-employment turnover and your gross property income, before expenses.
An indication only, not tax or financial advice. Exemptions and special cases aren’t covered. See our disclaimer.
Browse by topic
Getting started
What is Making Tax Digital?
A plain-English explanation of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme: what it is, which taxes it covers, and what it means for you.
4 min read
Getting started
MTD for Income Tax: who needs it
Who has to use MTD for Income Tax, the £50,000, £30,000 and £20,000 thresholds, what counts as qualifying income, and how to sign up.
6 min read
Deadlines and penalties
MTD deadlines 2026/27
Every Making Tax Digital deadline for the 2026/27 tax year: the four quarterly updates, the final declaration, and when you actually pay.
4 min read
Getting started
Working out qualifying income
What counts as qualifying income for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, what doesn’t, and worked examples for common situations.
5 min read
Records, updates and software
MTD quarterly updates
What goes into a Making Tax Digital quarterly update, how often you send one, and how to fix mistakes.
5 min read
Deadlines and penalties
MTD penalties explained
How late submission points and £200 penalties work under Making Tax Digital, the 2026/27 grace year, and what happens if you pay late.
4 min read
Records, updates and software
MTD software comparison
A side-by-side comparison of the main kinds of Making Tax Digital software, who each suits, and the questions to ask before you pay.
5 min read
Landlords and property
MTD for landlords
How Making Tax Digital works for landlords: why gross rent counts, jointly owned property, overseas lets, and keeping records with a letting agent.
6 min read
Sole traders and businesses
MTD for sole traders
What Making Tax Digital means if you’re self-employed: the records you need, what you send each quarter, and how to get ready.
6 min read
Showing the 2026/27 tax year
| Period | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1Passed | 6 April – 5 July 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| Quarter 2Next | 6 July – 5 October 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| Quarter 3 | 6 October 2026 – 5 January 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| Quarter 4 | 6 January – 5 April 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
| Final declaration | Confirms your 2026/27 figures and replaces the Self Assessment return | 31 January 2028 |
You can choose calendar quarters (ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March) in your software instead. The deadlines stay the same.
Free checklist
The MTD setup checklist
A step-by-step walkthrough: checking whether you’re in, getting your records ready, choosing software, signing up, and staying on top of every quarter. Free, with no sign-up needed.