MTD Reporting Dates Released
Making Tax Digital for income tax: Key dates and what landlords and the self-employed need to know
The rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA), which represents the biggest change to income tax reporting since HMRC launched self-assessment 30 years ago, is gathering pace, and HMRC has now confirmed the timeline for quarterly submissions.
With the MTD reporting dates now available we know that starting in April 2026, individuals earning over £50,000 from a combination of self-employment and property income will be required to maintain digital records and submit quarterly updates using MTD-compliant software. A final annual tax return will still be required by the existing filing deadline.
It is important to note that the MTD reporting dates are not Tax Returns, they are just simple summaries of how your business is doing. If you are maintaining your records on MTD compliant software, quarterly updates should be able to be filed with a simple click of a button.
Interim tax payments will not be required on a quarterly basis. The existing 31 July and 31 January payments will remain.
The scope of MTD will widen in April 2027, capturing those with income above £30,000, and again in April 2028, when the threshold drops to £20,000. Once fully implemented, around 2 million taxpayers will be reporting quarterly to HMRC through commercial software.
Adam Thompson our Private Client Tax Partner, added “According to Government statistics the first wave will affect approximately 860,000 individuals, so it’s crucial to prepare early and avoid penalties by meeting the deadlines, hopefully with the now released MTD reporting dates things will become much clearer for everyone”.
MTD Reporting Dates – Key filing dates for MTD for income tax
| Date | Action Required |
| 31 January 2026 | Submit Self-Assessment tax return for 2024–25 |
| 06 April 2026 | Begin using MTD-compatible software to keep digital records |
| 07 August 2026 | Submit first quarterly update |
| 07 November 2026 | Submit second quarterly update |
| 31 January 2027 | Submit Self-Assessment tax return for 2025–26 in the usual way |
| 07 February 2027 | Submit third quarterly update |
| 07 May 2027 | Submit fourth quarterly update |
| 07 August 2027 | Submit first quarterly update for 2027–28 |
| 07 November 2027 | Submit second quarterly update |
| 31 January 2028 | Submit 2026–27 tax return directly via MTD software |
| 07 February 2028 | Submit third quarterly update |
| 07 May 2028 | Submit fourth quarterly update |
With the release of MTD reporting dates – what should you do now to prepare?
- Check if your income will exceed the thresholds in 2026, 2027, or 2028.
- Start exploring MTD-compatible software options.
- Speak to us about preparing for quarterly submissions.
- Mark the key dates in your calendar to ensure that you stay compliant.
If the release of MTD reporting dates has come as a surprise and you would like to speak to a member of our tax team regarding the implementation of making tax digital for income tax self-assessment or your property income contact us today on 020 7870 9050.
A brief history of Making Tax Digital (MTD) in the UK
Although today we are talking about the release of MTD reporting dates, Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a UK government initiative which was launched many years ago to modernise the tax system by replacing paper-based processes with digital record-keeping and reporting. Its goal is to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and make tax compliance easier for individuals and businesses.
What were the key milestones in the MTD Journey
- December 2015: HMRC publishes its vision for a fully digital tax system, aiming to become one of the most advanced tax administrations globally.
- April 2019: The first phase of MTD goes live with MTD for VAT. Businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold (£85,000) must keep digital records and file VAT returns using compatible software.
- April 2022: MTD for VAT is extended to all VAT-registered businesses, regardless of turnover.
- April 2026: The next major phase begins with MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA). Self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 annually must comply.
- April 2027: The threshold for MTD for ITSA drops to £30,000, bringing more taxpayers into the system.
- April 2028: The threshold is expected to reduce further to £20,000, significantly expanding the scope of MTD.
- Future Plans: HMRC is also preparing to roll out MTD for Corporation Tax, with pilots underway.
The Road Ahead
MTD is still evolving. HMRC continues to refine the system based on feedback, aiming for a seamless, integrated digital tax experience. The long-term vision is a fully automated tax system that reduces the burden on taxpayers and improves compliance.
