Skip to main content Making Tax Digital: what you need to know to get it done
Doing starts with knowing. Here you’ll find clear answers on who’s affected by the legislation, when the key deadlines are and what to do next.
Accountant or bookkeeper? Visit our MTD information hub for a range of resources.
What is it and when is it happening?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s initiative to implement a fully digital tax system in the UK for Income Tax and for VAT (MTD for VAT arrived in 2022). Taxpayers will need to keep digital records and use MTD-compatible software to make their tax submissions electronically.
April 2022
MTD for VAT applies to all VAT-registered businesses
April 2026
MTD for Income Tax will apply to most self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000
April 2027
MTD for Income Tax will apply to most self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £30,000
April 2028
MTD for Income Tax will apply to most self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £20,000
Helpful guides to Making Tax Digital
Get up-to-speed with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax with our library of guides.
MTD for Income Tax: qualifying income explained
Guide
Learn what counts as qualifying income and how HMRC uses it to decide whether you need to follow the new rules.
How do I sign up for MTD for Income Tax?
Guide
Learn who’s eligible to sign up for MTD for Income Tax, what to consider before you commit and how the signup process works.
MTD for Income Tax: what landlords need to know
Guide
Find out everything landlords need to know about Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.
MTD for Income Tax: what does it mean for you?
Guide
Learn what’s changing under MTD for Income Tax and find out what the new rules mean for you.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: 10 common myths busted
Blog
Urban legends aren’t going to help you prepare for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, but we can.
Making Tax Digital for VAT: a guide to the penalties
Guide
Find out what penalties you might face if you fail to comply with HMRC’s MTD for VAT legislation.
Making Tax Digital jargon buster
Guide
We’ve put together a handy glossary of MTD terms to help you understand the language of digital tax legislation.
Events and webinars
MTD for Income Tax: your questions answered
On-demand webinar
Learn the MTD for Income Tax essentials - what it is, who it impacts and when, plus some of the trickier topics - in this pre-recorded, interview-style webinar.
Sole traders: get MTD done with FreeAgent
21st October 2025, 12pm
In this webinar for sole traders we’ll de-mystify how you’ll have to submit your information to HMRC and show what MTD for Income Tax will look like in FreeAgent.
Landlords: get MTD done with FreeAgent
23rd October 2025, 12pm
In this webinar for landlords we’ll de-mystify how you’ll have to submit your information to HMRC and show what MTD for Income Tax will look like in FreeAgent.
Latest MTD for Income Tax news
2 September 2025
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: your questions answered by our expertFreeAgent’s Chief Accountant answers our customers' big questions about MTD for Income Tax.
Tips, news and inspiration for every small business
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FreeAgent can help you prepare for Making Tax Digital
FreeAgent’s powerful automation features can help get your accounts in order for digital filing with minimal hassle. Check out all the other ways FreeAgent can help you stay on top of your business finances.
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