⏰ 15 days to go. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts on 6 April 2026. If you earn over £50,000 from property or self-employment, this is now urgent. Here is exactly what to do this week.
With two weeks left, the question is no longer “should I prepare?” — it is “am I going to make it in time?” We are working with landlords and sole traders right now to get everything in place before the deadline. Here is the honest picture of where you need to be.
What Happens on 6 April 2026?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) becomes law for anyone with gross income over £50,000 from self-employment or property rental. From that date, you must:
- Keep digital records of all income and expenses throughout the year
- Submit four quarterly updates to HMRC (instead of one annual return)
- Use HMRC-approved software connected to your tax account
- File an End of Period Statement and a Final Declaration at year end
There is a 12-month penalty grace period, so you will not be fined for late submissions in 2026/27 — but the legal obligation to file starts on 6 April. Non-compliance is not an option.
Your 15-Day Action Checklist
Work through these in order. If you are not sure about any step, contact us and we will check your status for free — no obligation.
✅ Step 1 — Confirm You Are Affected
Check your 2024/25 tax return (or ask your accountant). Is your gross income from self-employment or property over £50,000? Remember: gross rent, not profit. A landlord with £55,000 rent and £35,000 profit is still caught.
✅ Step 2 — Register for MTD with HMRC
You must sign up for MTD for ITSA via your HMRC online account or through your accountant. This is separate from Self Assessment registration. Do this immediately — HMRC registration can take several days to process.
✅ Step 3 — Choose and Set Up MTD Software
You need HMRC-recognised software. The most popular options for landlords are Xero, FreeAgent, and QuickBooks. Your accountant can connect the software to your HMRC account and configure it correctly — this typically takes 1–2 hours if you have your details ready.
✅ Step 4 — Gather Your Records
Start pulling together your income and expense records from 6 April onwards. Your first quarterly submission (for April–June) is not due until 7 August 2026, but having clean records from day one makes everything easier.
✅ Step 5 — Confirm Who Is Filing
Are you filing your own quarterly updates, or is your accountant handling them? This needs to be agreed and set up in advance. If you are not sure, ask your accountant this week — not after April 6.
What If I Miss the 6 April Start Date?
The grace period means HMRC will not issue penalty points for late Q1 submissions in 2026/27. But this does not mean you can ignore the deadline indefinitely:
- The obligation to keep digital records starts 6 April — not optional
- Penalty points accumulate from April 2027 for late filings
- Gaps in your digital records will be hard to reconstruct retrospectively
- Starting late puts pressure on your Q1 submission (due 7 August 2026)
Our advice: Treat 6 April as a hard deadline, not a suggestion. The grace period is a safety net, not an excuse to delay.
Still Without an Accountant?
If you are currently managing your own tax affairs — or your existing accountant has not been in touch about MTD — now is the time to act.
At HS Global Accountancy, we specialise in exactly this: getting landlords and sole traders MTD-compliant quickly, with minimal disruption. Our service includes:
- HMRC registration — we handle the sign-up on your behalf
- Software setup — we configure and connect your MTD software
- All four quarterly submissions — we file your updates so you do not have to
- Year-end Final Declaration — included as standard
- Ongoing support — questions answered promptly throughout the year
Packages for self-employed clients start from £39/month. We can onboard new clients within 48 hours and have you ready before 6 April.
15 Days Left — Act Now
Get your free MTD readiness check. We will confirm whether you are affected, what you need, and how quickly we can get you compliant. No obligation.
Key Dates at a Glance
6 April 2026 — MTD for ITSA starts for income over £50,000
7 August 2026 — Q1 submission deadline (Apr–Jun 2026)
7 November 2026 — Q2 submission deadline (Jul–Sep 2026)
7 February 2027 — Q3 submission deadline (Oct–Dec 2026)
7 May 2027 — Q4 submission deadline (Jan–Mar 2027)
HS Global Accountancy is a UK accountancy practice based in Harrow, specialising in MTD compliance for landlords, sole traders, and small businesses. We are HMRC-registered and currently accepting new MTD clients ahead of the April 2026 deadline.
