Last updated: March 2026
Everything you need to know about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, in one place. Our guides are written by practising chartered accountants and updated as HMRC publishes new guidance.
Getting Started 10 guides
What is Making Tax Digital?A complete guide to the MTD programme, who it affects and when it starts
Got an HMRC Letter About MTD?What the letter means, what to do next and how to check if you are affected
Is Self Assessment Ending?What MTD actually changes and what stays the same
How to Register for MTD Income TaxStep-by-step guide to signing up with HMRC before April 2026
How to Register for MTD for VATStep-by-step guide to signing up for Making Tax Digital for VAT
Your First MTD Quarterly UpdateWhat to report, how to submit, and what to expect
All MTD Deadlines: 2026 to 2028Quarterly updates, Final Declaration, payment dates and phase rollout
What MTD Will Actually Cost YouRealistic breakdown of software, accountant and time costs
MTD Myths and MisconceptionsCommon misunderstandings corrected with facts
How Accountants Help with MTDWhen to use an accountant and what they handle for you
Got an HMRC Letter About MTD?What the letter means, what to do next and how to check if you are affected
Is Self Assessment Ending?What MTD actually changes and what stays the same
How to Register for MTD Income TaxStep-by-step guide to signing up with HMRC before April 2026
How to Register for MTD for VATStep-by-step guide to signing up for Making Tax Digital for VAT
Your First MTD Quarterly UpdateWhat to report, how to submit, and what to expect
All MTD Deadlines: 2026 to 2028Quarterly updates, Final Declaration, payment dates and phase rollout
What MTD Will Actually Cost YouRealistic breakdown of software, accountant and time costs
MTD Myths and MisconceptionsCommon misunderstandings corrected with facts
How Accountants Help with MTDWhen to use an accountant and what they handle for you
Who Needs to Comply 11 guides
Qualifying Income ExplainedHow self-employment and rental income combine for MTD thresholds
MTD for Sole TradersComplete guide for self-employed individuals
MTD for LandlordsProperty income, joint ownership and rental reporting
MTD for Multiple Income SourcesHow combined self-employment and property income is assessed
MTD for New Businesses & First-Time LandlordsStarting a business or letting property under MTD
Free MTD Guide for New Businesses in 2026Software, costs and compliance from day one
Does MTD Apply to Limited Companies?Corporation tax position and what directors need to know
Non-UK Residents and MTDObligations for overseas landlords and non-resident traders
MTD for Retailers: Daily TakingsRecording cash sales and till summaries for quarterly updates
MTD for Barristers & Legal ProfessionalsChambers income, clerks’ fees and self-employed counsel
Partnerships and MTDCurrent position and future plans for partnership reporting
MTD for Sole TradersComplete guide for self-employed individuals
MTD for LandlordsProperty income, joint ownership and rental reporting
MTD for Multiple Income SourcesHow combined self-employment and property income is assessed
MTD for New Businesses & First-Time LandlordsStarting a business or letting property under MTD
Free MTD Guide for New Businesses in 2026Software, costs and compliance from day one
Does MTD Apply to Limited Companies?Corporation tax position and what directors need to know
Non-UK Residents and MTDObligations for overseas landlords and non-resident traders
MTD for Retailers: Daily TakingsRecording cash sales and till summaries for quarterly updates
MTD for Barristers & Legal ProfessionalsChambers income, clerks’ fees and self-employed counsel
Partnerships and MTDCurrent position and future plans for partnership reporting
Rules & Compliance 15 guides
MTD Penalty Points SystemHow points accumulate, when fines trigger and how to reset
Managing Your Penalty PointsPractical strategies to avoid points, reset them and handle appeals
The Soft Landing PeriodFirst-year easements for 2026/27 quarterly updates
The Final DeclarationWhat replaces the Self Assessment tax return
Cash Basis vs Accruals Under MTDChoosing your accounting method and what changes
Digital Links and Record KeepingHMRC’s digital requirements and what counts as a digital link
Exemptions and DeferralsWho qualifies for exemption and how to apply
Opting Out of MTDWhen you can leave and what happens to your obligations
Three-Line Accounts Under MTDSimplified reporting for smaller businesses
Capital Allowances & Year-End AdjustmentsAnnual adjustments in your Final Declaration
The Trading & Property AllowanceHow the £1,000 allowances interact with MTD thresholds
Simplified Expenses Under MTDFlat rate deductions for vehicles, home office and premises
Rent a Room Relief and MTDThe £7,500 threshold and when you must report
Basis Period Reform and MTDHow the move to tax year basis affects your reporting
Letting Agent Statements Under MTDReconciling agent reports with quarterly updates
Managing Your Penalty PointsPractical strategies to avoid points, reset them and handle appeals
The Soft Landing PeriodFirst-year easements for 2026/27 quarterly updates
The Final DeclarationWhat replaces the Self Assessment tax return
Cash Basis vs Accruals Under MTDChoosing your accounting method and what changes
Digital Links and Record KeepingHMRC’s digital requirements and what counts as a digital link
Exemptions and DeferralsWho qualifies for exemption and how to apply
Opting Out of MTDWhen you can leave and what happens to your obligations
Three-Line Accounts Under MTDSimplified reporting for smaller businesses
Capital Allowances & Year-End AdjustmentsAnnual adjustments in your Final Declaration
The Trading & Property AllowanceHow the £1,000 allowances interact with MTD thresholds
Simplified Expenses Under MTDFlat rate deductions for vehicles, home office and premises
Rent a Room Relief and MTDThe £7,500 threshold and when you must report
Basis Period Reform and MTDHow the move to tax year basis affects your reporting
Letting Agent Statements Under MTDReconciling agent reports with quarterly updates
Software & Tools 15 guides
MTD Software ComparisonSide-by-side comparison of income tax software options
HMRC-Recognised MTD Software ListThe complete 2026 list of HMRC-recognised software for Income Tax and VAT
QuickBooks vs Xero for MTDHonest head-to-head comparison for sole traders and landlords
FreeAgent Free via NatWest/MettleHow to get HMRC-recognised software at no cost
Best MTD VAT SoftwareComparing VAT software for small businesses
Free MTD Software OptionsNo-cost solutions for quarterly reporting
Bridging Software for MTDKeep your spreadsheet, bridge to HMRC
Using Bank Feeds for MTDAutomated transaction import and categorisation
Is Your MTD Software Secure?Data privacy, GDPR and what HMRC actually sees
VitalTax ReviewMTD bridging software for spreadsheet users
Xero Simple for MTDXero’s dedicated MTD Income Tax product
MTD Threshold CheckerInteractive tool: check if your income triggers MTD
MTD Deadline CalendarVisual timeline of every quarterly deadline from 2026 to 2030
MTD Readiness ChecklistInteractive 24-point checklist to prepare for MTD
Software Comparison ToolFilter and compare 12 HMRC-recognised software options
HMRC-Recognised MTD Software ListThe complete 2026 list of HMRC-recognised software for Income Tax and VAT
QuickBooks vs Xero for MTDHonest head-to-head comparison for sole traders and landlords
FreeAgent Free via NatWest/MettleHow to get HMRC-recognised software at no cost
Best MTD VAT SoftwareComparing VAT software for small businesses
Free MTD Software OptionsNo-cost solutions for quarterly reporting
Bridging Software for MTDKeep your spreadsheet, bridge to HMRC
Using Bank Feeds for MTDAutomated transaction import and categorisation
Is Your MTD Software Secure?Data privacy, GDPR and what HMRC actually sees
VitalTax ReviewMTD bridging software for spreadsheet users
Xero Simple for MTDXero’s dedicated MTD Income Tax product
MTD Threshold CheckerInteractive tool: check if your income triggers MTD
MTD Deadline CalendarVisual timeline of every quarterly deadline from 2026 to 2030
MTD Readiness ChecklistInteractive 24-point checklist to prepare for MTD
Software Comparison ToolFilter and compare 12 HMRC-recognised software options
Planning Ahead 8 guides
Will MTD Really Save You 40 Hours?A realistic look at time saved and time added by quarterly reporting
MTD for VAT: Complete GuideHow to file, what records to keep and common mistakes to avoid
Agent Authorisation for MTDSetting up your accountant’s access to your MTD account
MTD for Accountants: Practice GuideAgent authorisation, multi-client filing, software and practice workflows
MTD Easements for Joint Property OwnersShared ownership rules and reporting simplifications
MTD and VAT: How the Requirements InteractManaging both MTD obligations together
Preparing for Phase 2: Income Over £30,000What to do before April 2027
Preparing for Phase 3: Income Over £20,000What to do before April 2028
MTD for VAT: Complete GuideHow to file, what records to keep and common mistakes to avoid
Agent Authorisation for MTDSetting up your accountant’s access to your MTD account
MTD for Accountants: Practice GuideAgent authorisation, multi-client filing, software and practice workflows
MTD Easements for Joint Property OwnersShared ownership rules and reporting simplifications
MTD and VAT: How the Requirements InteractManaging both MTD obligations together
Preparing for Phase 2: Income Over £30,000What to do before April 2027
Preparing for Phase 3: Income Over £20,000What to do before April 2028
Need help navigating MTD?
Jack Ross Chartered Accountants can handle your entire MTD setup and ongoing quarterly reporting. As a Xero Gold Partner, we configure your software, connect your bank feeds and submit every update on your behalf. Get in touch