Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) Resource Hub

Welcome to your QuickBooks Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Resource Hub.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) is a new HMRC regulation that changes how some self-employed individuals and landlords report their income. Starting 6 April 2026, the annual Self Assessment tax return is being replaced by a system of digital record-keeping and quarterly updates for some taxpayers.

This hub provides everything you need to set up in QuickBooks, understand your new obligations, and submit your updates with confidence. By using QuickBooks Online or Sole Trader Plus you can automate your record-keeping and ensure you are using compatible software for HMRC requirements.

Getting started: Your mandatory start date

The first step is knowing if and when you need to join. HMRC looks at your qualifying income (total turnover from sole trade or landlord income before expenses) to determine your start date.

• April 2026: Mandatory if your qualifying income is over £50,000 in your 2024/25 tax return.
• April 2027: Mandatory if your income is over £30,000 in your 2025/26 tax return.
• April 2028: Mandatory if your income is over £20,000  in your 2026/27 tax return.

See: Official HMRC guidance on eligibility and thresholds.

Before you start

• Making Tax Digital for Income Tax vs. VAT: Understand the difference between these two separate digital obligations.
• Moving to digital record-keeping: Learn about "digital links" and why manually typing figures from spreadsheets is no longer compliant.
• Set up MTD for IT in QuickBooks: A step-by-step guide to configuring your tax settings and the HMRC "digital handshake."

Guides for your business type

MTD for IT requirements can change depending on how you earn your income. Choose the guide that best fits your situation:

• Sole traders: Managing your single business.
• Hybrid trades: How to manage your obligations when you have both a self-employed and UK property business.
• Multi-trade: Running several sole trade businesses under one National Insurance number.

Filing and submissions

Learn how to navigate the new five-part annual reporting cycle.

• How to send your quarterly updates: A walkthrough of the new three-month reporting rhythm.
• Check your deadlines and obligations: How to view your specific HMRC dates in the QuickBooks Tax app.
• Annual tax return: How to finalise your figures, claim tax reliefs, and account for non-trade income.

Resources and FAQs

• Common questions and troubleshooting: What to do if you make a mistake or miss a deadline.
• Accountant FAQs: Guidance for tax professionals managing client MTD for IT submissions.
• Switching from QuickBooks Self-Employed or Sole Trader: How to move to our MTD-compatible platforms.

Get expert support

• QuickBooks Community: Making Tax Digital (MTD) Drop-In Q&A Session
• Expert Support: If you need to speak to a person, find out more about how and when to contact QuickBooks Online support.
• Digital Assistant: Need quick answers while you work? Chat with our Digital Assistant 24/7 by selecting Help (?) within your QuickBooks account.