Making Tax Digital Accountants for Income Tax Self Assessment

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (ITSA) Support for Self-employed Individuals and Landlords

From 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax becomes mandatory for self employed individuals and landlords with total gross income from self employment and property over £50,000. You will need to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Our expert MTD accountants help self-employed professionals and landlords switch to Making Tax Digital quickly and confidently.

  • Your own dedicated MTD accountant
  • Quarterly making tax digital for income tax submissions to HMRC
  • Self assessment support and help
  • HMRC-approved accounting software to record income and expenses
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MTD for Income Tax starts in

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Check if Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Applies to You

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being introduced in phases based on your qualifying income which is your total gross self-employment and property income before expenses. It does not include employment income, pensions, or savings interest.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to self-employed sole traders and landlords in the UK. From 6 April 2026: qualifying gross income over £50,000 in the 2023/24 tax return (6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024). From April 2027: gross income over £30,000. From April 2028 (planned): gross income over £20,000. Qualifying income means total gross self-employment turnover and/or property rental income before expenses are deducted.

Check if Making Tax Digital applies to you

Step 1 of 3

What type of income do you have?

Select your income type

What was your gross income (before expenses) in your 2023/24 tax return (6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024)?

Select your gross income range
Where to find your gross income: Check your 2023/24 Self Assessment tax return. For self-employment, look at box 15. For rental income, check box 20 on your UK property pages. If you have both, add them together. This is your total income before deducting expenses.

Are you a sole trader, in a partnership, or a limited company director?

Select your business type

  1. Qualifying income over £50,000

    Who this applies to
    Self-employed sole traders and landlords whose combined self-employment and property income exceeded £50,000 on their 2023/24 tax return.
    What you need to do
    Keep digital records in HMRC-approved software, submit quarterly updates, and file a final declaration - starting from the 2026/27 tax year.
    How many people are affected
    Approximately 780,000 taxpayers
    Get Your Free MTD Readiness Check

  2. Qualifying income over £30,000

    Who this applies to
    Self-employed sole traders and landlords whose combined self-employment and property income exceeded £30,000 on their 2025/26 tax return.
    What you need to do
    The same quarterly digital reporting requirements apply. You have until April 2027, but starting digital record-keeping now means less catch-up later
    How many people are affected
    Approximately 970,000 taxpayers
    Get Your Free MTD Readiness Check

  3. Qualifying income over £20,000

    Who this applies to
    Self-employed sole traders and landlords whose combined self-employment and property income exceeds £20,000. Confirmed in the Spring Statement 2025 but not yet written into law
    What you need to do
    No action required yet, but if your income is near this threshold, getting set up with digital record-keeping now will make the transition seamless
    Get Your Free MTD Readiness Check

Important: You're NOT paying tax quarterly. The updates are summaries only - your tax payment dates don't change.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment Requirements

Under MTD for ITSA, you’ll shift from a single annual tax return to quarterly updates that gives HMRC a clearer, up-to-date view of your income throughout the year. You have to:

  • Keep Digital Records

    All income and expenses recorded in HMRC-approved software (not just spreadsheets)

  • Submit Quarterly Updates

    Four summaries per year showing your income and expenses to date

  • File a Final Declaration

    Confirming your full tax position by 31 January (same deadline as now)

Important: You're NOT paying tax quarterly. The updates are summaries only - your tax payment dates don't change.

MTD for Income Tax Deadlines

From April 2026, you'll submit four quarterly updates plus a final declaration each tax year. Your tax payment dates don't change. For example,

Making Tax Digital quarterly update periods and submission deadlines
UpdatePeriodDeadline
Quarter 16 Apr 2026 – 5 Jul 2026
Quarter 26 Jul – 5 Oct 2026
Quarter 36 Oct 2026 – 5 Jan 2027
Quarter 46 Apr 2027 – 5 Jul 2027
Final Declaration6 Apr 2026 - 5 Apr 2027

How GoForma Helps You Stay Compliant with Making Tax Digital for ITSA

Making Tax Digital is an ongoing reporting obligation. We take full responsibility for the process so you stay compliant without adding extra admin to your workload. Here is what you get with every GoForma accounting package.

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FreeAgent Included Free

We're a FreeAgent Platinum Partner. FreeAgent is HMRC-approved for MTD and included at no extra cost with all our packages. No separate software subscription needed.

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Quarterly Updates Handled

Our team reviews your records, prepares your figures, and submits all four quarterly updates to HMRC on your behalf. You focus on your business.

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Final Declaration Prepared and Filed

We prepare and submit your year-end final declaration, including all adjustments, reliefs, and additional income sources.

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Year-Round Visibility of Your Tax Position

With digital records updated throughout the year, you'll always know your tax position - no more January surprises.

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Dedicated Making Tax Digital Accountant

You get a named, qualified MTD accountant who knows your business and your income structure. You deal with someone who knows your numbers and your goals.

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Fully MTD Compliant and Future Ready

We handle your transition to Making Tax Digital from start to finish. From software setup to quarterly submissions and final declaration filing, everything is aligned with current HMRC rules and future reporting requirements.

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Trusted by 1,000+ Self Employed Individuals

MTD may be new, but digital tax reporting is not new to us. Our clients already rely on us for accurate filings, cloud accounting and ongoing HMRC compliance

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GoForma, particularly Jordan Macey from GoForma, have been fantastic from the moment I have been with them. Consistently taking the time to provide the highest standard of advice. They have even continued with their fantastic service when due to financial difficulties I had to pause payment.
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Having dealt with GoForma personally I was extremely happy with the pricing and ultimately speed of the services. Definitely will be using them for the next tax year.
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I wholeheartedly recommend GoForma.  From initial set up of my company, to helping me with numerous tax related queries, and efficiently and promptly assisting me to meet all my tax reporting deadlines, to finalising the closedown of my Ltd company when I chose to retire, they have been fantastic.
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The whole goforma experience has been amazing. Jawad fitchett has helped me above and beyond and I would definitely recommend him and the company.
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MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment Pricing

Step 1 of 4
Step 1

Get an instant online quote

Answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the right package for you.

Choose what you're looking for
Step 1

Which service do you need?

All prices exclude VAT (20%).

Select a one-off service
Step 2

What's your business structure?

This determines which packages are right for you.

Select your business structure

Sole Trader — You are the business. Simpler to set up, less paperwork, but you're personally liable for debts. You pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your profits.

Limited Company — The business is a separate legal "person." More admin, but you can be more tax-efficient (paying yourself via salary + dividends) and your personal assets are protected. Most people earning over ~£30–35k choose this.

Still unsure? Pick whichever feels closest — we'll help you figure out the best option during your free consultation.

Step 3

What's your annual turnover (or expected turnover)?

This tells us whether you'll need VAT registration.

Select your annual turnover range
💡 About the VAT threshold: If your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any 12-month period, you must register for VAT. We handle the registration and quarterly filings for you.
Step 4

Do you need any of these?

Select all that apply, or skip if you just need the basics.

Select any additional requirements
Self
Assessment
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Price
£199
£39
£69
Discounted price

50% discount for first 3 months with a monthly package

£165

/once

£19.50

/month

£34.50

/month

Sole trader HMRC registration
Proactive filing reminders
Business banking offers
Business insurance offers
Dedicated 1-on-1 accountant
Self assessment tax returns

Add on: £165 per self assessment

1
1
1
Unlimited bookable accounting support
FreeAgent accounting software
Mobile accounting app
Unlimited invoices
Automatically import bank transactions
VAT registration
-
Quarterly VAT filing
-
Monthly payroll

Add on: £5/mo per additional employee

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Prices quoted exclude VAT

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax FAQs

Here's a key overview of all the main questions we get asked about MTD.

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  • What is the threshold for MTD for Income Tax?

    MTD for Income Tax applies based on your total qualifying income from self employment and property. From April 2026, the threshold is over £50,000, and from April 2027 it reduces to over £30,000. The government also plans to lower it further to £20,000 in later years.

  • When does making tax digital for income tax start?

    Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax starts in phases from April 2026, initially for self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income (from self-employment/property) over £50,000, then expanding to those with income over £30,000 (April 2027) and £20,000 (April 2028).

  • Does MTD for income tax apply to partnerships?

    No, MTD for Income Tax does not currently apply to partnerships. HMRC plans to bring partnerships into the system at a later date, but no start date has been confirmed yet. Furthermore, partnerships cannot voluntarily sign-up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax at the present time, either.

  • Is it turnover or income that MTD for Income Tax counts?

    MTD for Income Tax looks at your total qualifying income, not turnover after costs. This includes gross income from self employment and property before expenses are deducted.

  • Do pensions or savings interest count towards the MTD income tax threshold?

    No, pensions and savings interest do not count towards the MTD for Income Tax threshold. Only gross income from self employment and property is included when working out if the rules apply to you.

  • Are there any separate MTD income tax thresholds for self-employment and rents?

    No, there are no separate thresholds for self employment and rental income. HMRC adds both together and looks at your total qualifying income to decide when MTD for Income Tax applies.

  • What if my income goes above and then below the MTD threshold?

    Once you join MTD for Income Tax, either mandatorily or voluntarily, you normally have to stay in the system. This applies even if your income later falls to £50,000 or below, or £30,000 or below from April 2027. If your qualifying income stays under £30,000 for three years in a row while you are in MTD, you can then apply to leave the scheme.

  • Does MTD for income tax apply if I inherit one rental property?

    Yes, it can apply if the rental income from the inherited property counts as qualifying income. If your total property and self employment income goes over the MTD threshold, you will need to follow the MTD for Income Tax rules.

  • When are the quarterly updates due?

    Each quarterly update must be submitted by the 7th day of the month after the quarter ends. For example, the update for 6 April to 5 July is due by 7 August, and the same one-month rule applies to each subsequent quarter.

  • What if I make a mistake in one quarter?

    If you make a mistake in a quarterly update, you can correct it in your next update or through your software before the final submission. HMRC allows adjustments, so small errors won’t cause major problems as long as they are fixed promptly.

  • Do I need MTD VAT to join MTD income tax?

    No, you do not need to be signed up for MTD for VAT to use MTD for Income Tax. The two systems are separate, and you can join MTD for Income Tax even if you are not VAT registered.

  • What happens if I have more than one business?

    If you have more than one business, or are a sole trader and a landlord, HMRC adds the income from all of them together. If your total qualifying income goes over the MTD threshold, MTD for Income Tax will apply to you. For each business, you will need to submit separate quarterly updates. But, you’ll only need to submit a single Final Declaration.

  • Do I record the total income/expenses for jointly owned property, or just my share?

    You record just your share of income and expenses for jointly owned property. HMRC only wants the portion that belongs to you, not the full amount for all owners.

  • Can I use spreadsheets for MTD for IT?

    You can still use spreadsheets, but they cannot work by themselves. You will need bridging software to pass the figures digitally from the spreadsheet to HMRC, which means using more than one system to stay compliant. Many people prefer using one MTD ready platform, such as FreeAgent, as it keeps records and submissions in one place and gives a clearer view of their finances.

  • How often do I need to submit a MTD?

    Under MTD for Income Tax, you submit a separate quarterly update for each type of income, such as self employment and property. All these updates are then combined to form your final end-of-year tax return.

  • Will penalties be the same under MTD?

    Penalties under MTD for Income Tax will follow a new points based penalty system, similar to the VAT rules brought in during 2023. You will not get a fine for the first late submission, but points build up if delays continue.

  • Can an accountant handle MTD for me?

    Yes, an accountant can manage MTD for Income Tax on your behalf. At GoForma, our team can set up your software, keep your digital records up to date, and submit quarterly updates to HMRC, giving you peace of mind and more time to focus on your business or property income.

How to Get Started with Our MTD Accounting

From registration to your first quarterly submission, we handle the full process so you stay compliant and confident

  • Book Your Free Consultation

    Schedule a 20 minute call with an MTD accountant. We will review your income, confirm when you fall into scope, and explain exactly what changes apply to you.

  • Quick Online Sign Up

    Select a fixed fee plan that suits your income level and service requirements. Complete onboarding in your dashboard.

  • Seamless Registration and Setup

    Our team will handle sole trader registration, HMRC registrations and authorisation with your previous accountant (if switching).

  • Software and Banking

    Your MTD compliant accounting software is fully set up for you. We guide you through linking your bank account, raising invoices and recording expenses correctly.

  • Quarterly Submissions Managed

    We maintain your digital records, prepare your quarterly updates and file them on time. You also receive clear reminders so nothing is missed.

  • Ongoing Expert Support

    Throughout the year, your dedicated MTD accountant keeps your records accurate, answers your questions and prepares your final declaration.

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Why Self Employed Professionals Trust GoForma

Qualified Accountants You Can Rely On

  • Association of Accounting Technicians employer scheme green logoAAT licensed members
  • ACCA qualified accountantsACCA qualified accountants
  • GoForma FreeAgent accounting software platinum accountantsFreeAgent Platinum Partner
  • Companies House approved formation agent and company secretaryCompanies House formation agent
  • HMRC MTD self employed tax filing readyHMRC MTD ready

Our guarantees

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Monthly rolling contracts
  • Fixed pricing - no hidden fees

Dedicated support

  • Named accountant - 1-on1 support
  • Multiple contact options - email, phone, WhatsApp
  • Fast response times - same day response

Meet Our ACCA and AAT Qualified Accountants

Jordan Macey MAAT qualified GoForma contractor accountantJordan MaceyMAATKabir Shabir ACCA and AAT Limited Company AccountantKabir ShabirACCA, AATJawad Fitchett GoForma AAT qualified crypto and self employed accountantJawad FitchettAATNoor Fiaz qualified AAT accountantNoor FiazACCA, AAT

London-based Accountants, Serving the Entire UK

Our team works from our London office, providing accounting services to contractors and small businesses across the United Kingdom. Whether you're in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or anywhere in the UK, we're here to help.

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GoForma40 Bowling Green LaneLondonEC1R 0NEUnited Kingdom
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Serving clients across: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, and all UK locations. We work with contractors wherever you're based.

Benefits of Making Tax Digital

We know that Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is a major shift. Many self employed individuals are cautious about MTD for ITSA and what it means in practice.

At the same time, when set up properly with compatible software and the right support, this new system brings real advantages. Here is what MTD can offer beyond simply meeting a legal requirement.

1. Clearer visibility of your tax position

With quarterly updates and digital record keeping, you don’t have to wait until January to find out your tax bill.

You can:

  • See estimated tax liabilities throughout the year
  • Plan for payments in advance
  • Avoid unexpected balancing payments

This leads to better cash flow and a lot less stress.

2. Fewer errors in tax reporting

Digital records mean less manual calculation and no need to re-enter the same information. If you’re using compatible software, your income and expenses feed directly into your quarterly submissions.

This lowers the risk of:

  • Missed income
  • Incorrect expense claims
  • Calculation mistakes
  • Late filing penalties

Accurate records also make year end declarations smoother and faster.

3. Better organisation of business finances

With MTD for ITSA, you have to keep structured digital records, which naturally helps build better financial habits.

You benefit from:

  • Real time income tracking
  • Categorised expenses
  • Clear separation between personal and business spending
  • Easier access to historical data

This is particularly useful for sole traders and landlords managing multiple income streams.

4. Improved decision making

When your numbers are updated regularly, you can make informed decisions during the tax year rather than after it.

For example:

  • Adjusting spending if profits are higher than expected
  • Setting aside funds for tax in advance
  • Reviewing pricing or rental strategy

Quarterly reporting encourages a more proactive approach to managing your business.

5. Reduced year end pressure

Under the old system, most taxpayers used to review their finances once a year. That often led to rushed bookkeeping before the 31 January deadline.

With MTD:

  • Records are maintained continuously
  • Quarterly updates keep figures current
  • The final declaration becomes a confirmation step rather than a full rebuild

This spreads the workload across the year and reduces last minute stress.

6. Future proof compliance

Making Tax Digital is part of a wider digital transformation of the UK tax system. If you’re already using MTD for VAT, this will feel familiar.

By adopting compliant software now, you are:

  • Aligned with current HMRC reporting standards
  • Prepared for further digital developments
  • Less likely to face disruption from future changes

Early preparation avoids rushed transitions when thresholds expand.

7. Stronger record keeping for loans and mortgages

Up to date digital records make it easier to provide evidence of income when applying for:

  • Mortgages
  • Business loans
  • Rental property finance

Accurate, organised accounts improve credibility with lenders and financial institutions.

MTD for Landlords and Self-Employed Professionals

If you earn rental income or run a business, you must prepare early. The new system will affect how you manage income, track expenses, and submit returns.

Our MTD accountants help:

  • Landlords with single or multiple properties
  • Freelancers and consultants
  • Small business owners
  • Digital entrepreneurs
  • Property investors

Is Making Tax Digital a Burden or an Opportunity?

For many self employed professionals and landlords, MTD may initially feel like extra reporting. However, with reliable accounting support and the right software, it actually provides a clear, organised system. Your finances become easier to understand, and you gain real control over your business planning.

The key is to get everything set up correctly from the beginning. That way, staying compliant becomes a routine part of your workflow and doesn’t disrupt your day-to-day operations.

If you’re still unsure how MTD applies to your business, now is the perfect time to find out. A quick consultation with GoForma will help you determine whether you meet the qualifying income thresholds, what software you’ll require, and exactly what quarterly reporting will mean for you.

Book your free MTD readiness call today to get a clear, tailored plan that will put you well ahead of the April 2026 deadline.

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