Free 30-second checker
Do I need to do Making Tax Digital?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is arriving in stages, and whether it applies to you comes down to two things: where your income comes from and how much of it there is. Answer the two questions below and we'll tell you — in plain English — if you're affected and exactly when you'd need to start. No sign-up, no jargon, no email required.
1. Where does your income come from?
Tick everything that applies. Only self-employment and property income count towards Making Tax Digital.
2. Roughly how much do those bring in a year?
£45,000
Your total turnover and rent before taking off any expenses — added together if you have more than one.
Yes — you'll start from 6 April 2027
Your start date: 6 April 2027
Your qualifying income is between £30,000 and £50,000, so Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to you from 6 April 2027. You don't have to do anything yet, but getting your records into MTD-ready software now means quarterly filing will feel effortless by the time it's mandatory.
A friendly guide based on HMRC's published thresholds — not an official ruling. Unusual cases can differ.
How the thresholds work
MTD for Income Tax arrives in stages, based on your combined self-employment and property income (before expenses):
6 April 2026
Now liveQualifying income over £50,000
6 April 2027
Qualifying income over £30,000
6 April 2028
Qualifying income over £20,000
Once you're in, the quarterly deadlines
Quarter 1
6 April – 5 July
Update due 7 August
Quarter 2
6 July – 5 October
Update due 7 November
Quarter 3
6 October – 5 January
Update due 7 February
Quarter 4
6 January – 5 April
Update due 7 May
Your final declaration is due by 31 January after the tax year ends — the same date as the old Self Assessment deadline.
Making Tax Digital: your questions answered
Do I have to do Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
You do if you're a sole trader or landlord whose combined self-employment and property income (before expenses) is over the threshold for that year: over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028. The checker above works out which group you fall into.
What income counts towards the MTD threshold?
Only your self-employment (sole trader) income and your property (rental) income count — added together, and measured gross, before you take off any expenses. Wages from a job (PAYE), pensions, savings interest and dividends do not count towards the threshold.
I'm employed and also have a side business — does MTD apply?
Your salary from employment doesn't count towards the MTD threshold, but your self-employed side income does. If that self-employment income (plus any rental income) is over the threshold for the year, MTD for Income Tax applies to the self-employment and property side, even though you also have a PAYE job.
Does the threshold use income before or after expenses?
Before. HMRC looks at your gross income — your total turnover and rent received — not your profit after costs. So a sole trader turning over £55,000 but only making £25,000 profit is still measured on the £55,000 figure.
I'm a landlord earning under £50,000 — when do I start?
It depends on the exact figure. Combined property (and any self-employment) income over £30,000 brings you in from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028. £20,000 or under and you don't need to join yet. Pop your figure into the checker for your specific date.
What if I'm below £20,000?
You don't have to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax yet — you carry on as you are for now. The government has said it may extend MTD to people under £20,000 in future, but there's no confirmed date. It's still worth keeping tidy digital records so you're ready if that changes.
Is this checker official?
It's a friendly guide based on HMRC's published thresholds and start dates — not an official HMRC ruling. It covers the common sole trader and landlord situations. Unusual cases (partnerships, trusts, and some other income types) can differ, so treat the result as a very good steer rather than a formal determination.
I know my date — what do I actually do now?
Start keeping your income and expenses in MTD-compatible software so quarterly filing is a non-event when your date arrives. PennyPort is built for exactly this: pop in what came in and what went out (or import a spreadsheet), and it files your quarterly updates and final declaration to HMRC for you — in plain English. It's free while in early access.
See how Making Tax Digital works for your trade