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Do I Need Making Tax Digital? Free MTD Checker

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with more than £50,000 of qualifying income, and the threshold drops each year. Type in your turnover and rental income to see whether you're in, when you start, and your next deadline.

Based on HMRC's rules (qualifying income over £50,000 in 2024/25, £30,000 in 2025/26 or £20,000 in 2026/27). Some people can get an exemption, for example if they're digitally excluded. Not tax advice: check GOV.UK.

Making Tax Digital Spreadsheet 2026/27 – MTD Quarterly Update Tracker for Sole Traders & Landlords (UK)Keep MTD records in a spreadsheet
The MTD Quarterly Tracker sorts income and expenses into HMRC's categories and totals each quarterly update, ready for bridging software.
Making Tax Digital Spreadsheet 2026/27 – MTD Quarterly Update Tracker for Sole Traders & Landlords (UK): $12.99 →

When you join

  • Over £50,000 in 2024/25: from 6 April 2026.
  • Over £30,000 in 2025/26: from 6 April 2027.
  • Over £20,000 in 2026/27: from 6 April 2028.

Qualifying income is your self-employment turnover plus your property income before expenses, added together (your share of a jointly owned property). Wages, pensions, dividends and partnership profits don't count.

What changes when you're in

  • Keep your records digitally, in MTD-compatible software or a spreadsheet with bridging software.
  • Send a quarterly update by 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.
  • File your tax return by 31 January as before.

Already in? See the 2026/27 quarterly deadlines, or estimate your bill with the self-employed tax calculator.

Questions

Do I need to do Making Tax Digital?

If you're a sole trader or landlord whose self-employment and property income before expenses was over £50,000 in 2024/25 (from April 2026), over £30,000 in 2025/26 (from April 2027) or over £20,000 in 2026/27 (from April 2028).

Is the MTD threshold based on profit or turnover?

Turnover: it's your income before expenses, from self-employment and property added together.

Can I use a spreadsheet for Making Tax Digital?

Yes, with bridging software that reads the spreadsheet and sends the figures to HMRC.