TaxYearSheetsWho needs MTD for Income Tax, and when
| Qualifying income over | In tax year | Use MTD from |
|---|---|---|
| £50,000 | 2024/25 | 6 April 2026 |
| £30,000 | 2025/26 | 6 April 2027 |
| £20,000 | 2026/27 | 6 April 2028 |
Source: GOV.UK – Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. You must be registered for Self Assessment. Some people are exempt – see exemptions on GOV.UK.
MTD quarterly update deadlines 2026/27
| Update | Standard period (cumulative) | Calendar period (cumulative) | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 Apr – 5 Jul 2026 | 1 Apr – 30 Jun 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| 2 | 6 Apr – 5 Oct 2026 | 1 Apr – 30 Sep 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| 3 | 6 Apr 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 | 1 Apr – 31 Dec 2026 | 7 February 2027 |
| 4 | 6 Apr 2026 – 5 Apr 2027 | 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
Source: GOV.UK – Send quarterly updates. You must still send an update for a period with no transactions. Updates need HMRC-recognised software; spreadsheets need bridging software.
Related: Self Assessment late penalty calculator · £1,000 property allowance or expenses · mileage calculator (55p a mile)
Questions
When are the MTD quarterly deadlines for 2026/27?
7 August 2026, 7 November 2026, 7 February 2027 and 7 May 2027. Each update is cumulative – it covers the tax year to date. The return for 2026/27 is due by 31 January 2028.
Do I need Making Tax Digital if I earn under £30,000?
Not from April 2027, but the threshold drops to £20,000 based on 2026/27 income, with a start date of 6 April 2028. The threshold uses qualifying income: gross self-employment and property income added together, before expenses.
Can I keep my MTD records in a spreadsheet?
Yes, GOV.UK says spreadsheets are allowed if you use them with bridging software that is compatible with MTD for Income Tax. The spreadsheet itself can't send updates to HMRC.
Are there penalties for late MTD quarterly updates in 2026/27?
GOV.UK says HMRC will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026 to 2027 tax year. You still need to send them, and penalty points still apply to late tax returns.
What is the difference between standard and calendar update periods?
Standard periods follow the tax year (6 April to 5 July, and so on). Calendar periods end on the last day of a month (1 April to 30 June, and so on). The deadlines are the same. You can't change your choice for a tax year once you've sent an update.