The one-line summary
MTD for Income Tax replaces the annual Self Assessment tax return with four quarterly updates plus a final declaration, and requires you to keep digital records in compatible software. The tax you pay doesn't change. The deadlines to pay don't change. What changes is how often you report and where the records live.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Current Self Assessment | MTD for Income Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Who's affected | All UK sole traders + landlords with self-employment or property income above the reporting thresholds | Same population, but only if qualifying income > £50k (from 2026/27), £30k (from 2027/28), £20k (from 2028/29) |
| Frequency | One annual tax return | Four quarterly updates + one final declaration |
| Records | Any format (paper, spreadsheet, software) | Digital records required (spreadsheet + bridging software allowed) |
| Filing tool | HMRC online portal (Self Assessment) | MTD-compatible software or bridging software |
| Return deadline | 31 January (online) | 31 January (final declaration) |
| Tax payment deadline | 31 January + 31 July POAs | 31 January + 31 July POAs (unchanged) |
| Quarterly deadlines | None | 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, 7 May |
| What quarterly updates contain | N/A | Totals for income + expenses per SA103 category — cumulative from start of tax year |
| What the final declaration contains | Full tax return | Additions to the quarterly totals: other income (employment, dividends, interest), reliefs (pension, Gift Aid, Marriage Allowance), adjustments |
| Late submission penalty | £100 flat + daily fines | Points-based → £200 at threshold (4 points mandated, 2 volunteer) |
| Late payment penalty | 5% at day 30, 5% at 6 months, 5% at 12 months | 3%/4% tiered at 15/30 days + 10%/year daily after 30 days (see detail) |
What actually stays the same
- Income tax rates and bands — unchanged. MTD doesn't affect what you pay.
- National Insurance (Class 2 and 4) — unchanged.
- Personal allowance, taper, and reliefs — unchanged. All applied in the final declaration.
- Payments on account — still applies for tax bills over £1,000. Same 31 January and 31 July dates.
- What counts as an allowable expense — same HMRC "wholly and exclusively" rules. Same SA103 categories.
- Home office, mileage, capital allowances — same rules.
What actually changes
- How often you report to HMRC — quarterly instead of annually.
- How records must be kept — digital, in compatible software (spreadsheet + bridging counts).
- Where you file from — MTD-compatible software or bridging software, not the HMRC portal directly.
- The penalty regime — points system replaces flat penalties; new tiered late-payment regime.
- Cash-flow rhythm — quarterly updates give you (and HMRC) an in-year estimated tax bill; you're less likely to be surprised in January.
Which regime am I in?
Use our MTD Income Tax Checker — enter your qualifying income for the relevant tax year. Rough guide:
- Qualifying income > £50,000 in 2024/25 → MTD from April 2026 (already live)
- Qualifying income > £30,000 in 2025/26 → MTD from April 2027 (12 months away)
- Qualifying income > £20,000 in 2026/27 → MTD from April 2028 (~24 months away)
- Below £20,000: staying on standard Self Assessment for now
HMRC decides based on your previous tax year's return. If you cross a threshold, HMRC writes to you before the tax year starts.
What to actually do
- Check if you're in scope — use the checker
- If yes, decide your record-keeping route: spreadsheet + bridging software (cheapest) or full accounting software (easier for higher volume)
- Sign up on gov.uk before the tax year you're first in scope (you need to be Self Assessment-registered and have filed in the last 2 years)
- Diary the quarterly deadlines — 7 August / 7 November / 7 February / 7 May
- Set up a bookkeeping rhythm — the freelancers who report smoothly are the ones doing 15-30 minutes weekly, not the ones doing it all in July