Deadline approaches for first Making Tax Digital quarterly update

More than 864,000 sole traders and landlords signed up to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have just two weeks left before the deadline to submit their first quarterly update.

The update covers income and expenses for the first three months of the tax year. The deadline for submitting it to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is 7 August 2026.

The quarterly update is not a tax return. It is a short summary sent directly to HMRC through recognised software and takes minutes to complete.

• Sole traders and landlords earning more than £50,000 from their self-employment and property must send their first Making Tax Digital for Income Tax quarterly update by 7 August 2026
• The quarterly update covers income and expenses for the first three months of the tax year.
• The update takes minutes through recognised software and is not a tax return.

Customers who have not yet signed up can still do so now by visiting GOV.UK, where they can also find software and access free guidance and webinars. If customers use an agent, they can sign them up instead.

Some software includes digital support tool HMRC Assist, which gives tailored feedback to help customers spot potential errors before submission. Customers remain responsible for ensuring their return is accurate.

After each update, users can see an estimate of their tax bill, helping them to plan ahead.

Craig Ogilvie, HMRC's Director of Making Tax Digital, said:

"This is a landmark moment for the tax system. Hundreds of thousands of sole traders and landlords are now keeping digital records and will be sending their first quarterly update in the coming weeks.

“For those already using software, this should be straightforward and take minutes. If you haven't signed up yet, there is still time - visit GOV.UKand search 'Making Tax Digital for Income Tax' to get started."

Making Tax Digital is now a legal requirement and customers in scope should check now that they are signed up, that their software is compatible and submit their update before the deadline.

It will extend to those earning more than £30,000 from April 2027, and to those earning more than £20,000 from April 2028.

The tax return deadline remains 31 January. Quarterly updates do not replace the tax return – customers will still need to submit their return and pay any taxed owed by the 31 January 2027.

HMRC Press Release

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