The wait is over: MTD is here

Finally, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) is up and running. However, you don't have to navigate this new challenge alone.

Submitting your self-assessment compliantly could not be easier. Mineral provide a fully managed MTD compliant service at a cost equivalent to £11 per week. This will cover all aspects of your submission, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best in your business.

To help with what is required with MTD, see below:

What is MTD?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a UK government programme to modernise the tax system by requiring digital record-keeping and reporting to HMRC. The aim is to reduce errors and move tax reporting closer to real time. It already applies to VAT and since April 2026, extended to Income Tax for many individuals.

6 April 2026

MTD for Income Tax became mandatory for self-employed people with gross “qualifying income” over £50,000 per year.

Quarterly Reporting Begins

You must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates of income and expenses via MTD-compatible software — not just a single annual tax return.

Typical Quarterly Deadlines (example tax year)

• Quarter 1 (6 Apr–5 Jul): due 7 Aug 2026

• Quarter 2 (6 Jul–5 Oct): due 7 Nov 2026

• Quarter 3 (6 Oct–5 Jan): due 7 Feb 2027

• Quarter 4 (6 Jan–5 Apr): due 7 May 2027

• Final Declaration (full year): due 31 Jan 2028

Who must comply in 2026

MTD for Income Tax applies if all of the following are true:

• You are self-employed

• You file Self Assessment

• Your gross income from self-employment (before expenses) is over £50,000 in the tax year ending 5 April 2025 (used to decide whether you must join in 2026)

Note: This is not net profit — it is total receipts before deducting costs.

Phased expansion beyond 2026

MTD for Income Tax will roll out in stages:

• April 2026: £50,000+ income threshold

• April 2027: Threshold lowers to £30,000

• April 2028: Threshold lowers to £20,000

By 2028 this will bring many more sole traders into the system.

Requirements for Compliance

Under the new rules you must:

• Keep digital records — not just paper or manual spreadsheets.

• Use HMRC-compatible software

• Submit quarterly summaries to HMRC

• Submit a Final Declaration after the tax year ends (replacing the traditional SA return).

If you would like to find out more about our compliant MTD service, contact our team today!