Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
If you’re a sole trader or make money from property, the way you send us information about your income is changing.
It’s called Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. For some people that change starts from April 2026.
On this page, we’ll also explain what Making Tax Digital for Income Tax means for you, when you might need to start using it, and how you can get ready.
When do you need to start?
To make sure everyone has time to get ready, we’re rolling out Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in stages. Your start date will depend on your total ‘turnover’ from any self-employment and money from any property. Turnover is the money your business makes, before you pay any expenses or tax.
The Making Tax Digital for Income start dates are:
- if your turnover is above £50,000, you’ll start from 6 April 2026
- if your turnover is above £30,000, you’ll start from 6 April 2027
- if your turnover is above £20,000, you’ll start from 6 April 2028
Key thing to remember:
We’ll work out your start date based on your last tax return and let you know when you need to sign up. You can find out more about getting ready for it on our Making Tax Digital for Income Tax website.
Making Tax Digital spreads out your admin
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax means you won’t fill out your tax return all at once. Instead, you’ll split and spread the admin throughout the year.
You’ll use compatible software, like an app on your phone or computer, to:
- record your income and expenses from self-employment and property
- send us updates four times a year (that’s every three months, or ‘quarterly’)
- add any other income you get that year (you only need to do this part once)
- send us your tax return
Although you’ll send us more regular updates, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is designed to make the whole process simpler in the long run.
3 key things to remember
The quarterly updates aren’t tax returns. They’re just quick snapshots of how your business is doing
You’ll need to use software that works with the new system
You’ll still send us a tax return and pay your bill at the end of the year. But now your software creates a summary to make this process simpler
Our Making Tax Digital for Income Tax website has all the info you need to get up to speed. Learn more about how it all works and choosing the right software for you.