Making Tax Digital for Income Tax checker
Use gross income (before expenses), added together across all self-employments and properties.
Thresholds: more than £50,000 from April 2026, more than £30,000 from April 2027, more than £20,000 from April 2028. HMRC uses the income of the earlier tax year, so check the current guidance on GOV.UK.
- Your threshold bandOver £30,000
- Start date6 April 2027
- Quarterly updates7 Aug, 7 Nov, 7 Feb, 7 May
- Final declaration31 January
Your position
From 2027
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How does the making tax digital checker work?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to sole traders and landlords with gross qualifying income over £50,000 from 6 April 2026, over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. You must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC through compatible software.
How it works
What counts as qualifying income
Add together your gross self-employment income and gross property income, before expenses, across all your businesses and properties. Employment income and dividends do not count towards the threshold.
What you must do
Keep digital records of income and expenses, send HMRC an update every quarter, and file a final declaration instead of the traditional Self Assessment return. Compatible software connects to HMRC directly.
The quarterly rhythm
Standard quarters end on 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April, with updates due a month later on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. The final declaration is due 31 January.
Rates used, 2026/27
- From 6 April 2026Income over £50,000
- From 6 April 2027Income over £30,000
- From 6 April 2028Income over £20,000
- Quarterly update deadlines7 Aug, 7 Nov, 7 Feb, 7 May
Last checked November 2026 against GOV.UK: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. General information, not tax advice.
A worked example
A landlord with £28,000 rent and a sole trader income of £14,000 has £42,000 qualifying income, so MTD applies from 6 April 2027.
Questions about this calculator
Does it apply to limited companies?
No. Companies pay Corporation Tax and are outside MTD for Income Tax, although VAT-registered companies already follow MTD for VAT.
Which tax year's income does HMRC look at?
HMRC uses your qualifying income from the tax year before the MTD start date, so check your own figures against the current guidance on GOV.UK.
Can I be exempt?
Some people can apply for an exemption, for example if it is not reasonable for them to use digital tools because of disability, age or location.
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