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MTD for Income Tax deadline checker
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) is phasing in from April 2026. Enter your qualifying income to see whether — and from when — you must join, plus your next quarterly update deadline. Every rule here is checked against GOV.UK. Not tax advice.
Do you need to join MTD for Income Tax — and when?
Qualifying income is your gross self-employment and property income (turnover, before expenses), based on your last submitted return — HMRC writes to confirm if you must join. Quarterly deadlines are the same whether you use standard or calendar update periods. Rules checked against GOV.UK on 20 July 2026. Not tax advice — verify your own position on GOV.UK.
How the thresholds work
- Qualifying income over £50,000 (on your 2024/25 return) → join from 6 April 2026.
- Qualifying income over £30,000 (on your 2025/26 return) → join from 6 April 2027.
- Qualifying income over £20,000 (on your 2026/27 return) → join from 6 April 2028.
- Qualifying income = your total self-employment and property income (turnover, before expenses).
- HMRC reviews your submitted return and writes to confirm if you must join — this checker is an estimate on the figure you enter, not a determination.
Quarterly updates & the final declaration
- Standard update periods end 5 Jul, 5 Oct, 5 Jan and 5 Apr, with deadlines 7 Aug, 7 Nov, 7 Feb and 7 May.
- Deadlines are the same whether you use standard or calendar update periods.
- A final declaration replaces the old Self Assessment return, due 31 January after the tax year ends.
- Soft landing: HMRC has said it will not charge penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026/27 tax year.
Assumptions & limits
This tool assumes the figure you enter is your qualifying income for the relevant basis year and applies the published thresholds and dates. It does not account for exemptions, deferrals, partnerships (which join later), or changes announced after 20 July 2026. Always confirm your own position with GOV.UK or an accountant. Not tax or financial advice.
Getting ready
If you'll be mandated, you'll need MTD-compatible software and clean quarterly records. Start with our MTD for Income Tax checklist, what to send HMRC each quarter, and our cheapest MTD software roundup. Want to estimate the tax itself? Use the sole trader take-home calculator.
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Educational tool only — not tax, legal, or financial advice. No guarantee of accuracy; MTD rules and dates change — verify against official HMRC guidance. Rules checked 20 July 2026.