MTD for Income Tax starts 6 April 2026 for the self-employed and landlords with £50k+ income. Plan early to stay compliant and avoid disruption.

MTD represents one of the most significant overhauls to the self-assessment regime since its introduction in 1997. This includes new requirements to keep digital records, using MTD-compatible software, and submitting quarterly updates of income and expenses to HMRC.

From April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords with annual qualifying business or property income over £50,000 will be required to comply with the MTD for Income Tax rules. Qualifying income includes gross income from self-employment and property before any tax allowances or expenses are deducted.

This first rollout of MTD for Income Tax will affect approximately 780,000 taxpayers, with the next stage following in April 2027, extending the rules to those earning between £30,000 and £50,000. A further expansion, announced during the Spring Statement 2025, will apply MTD obligations to those with income over £20,000 from April 2028. The government is still considering the best approach for individuals earning below this lower threshold.

HMRC is asking some eligible taxpayers to sign up to its MTD testing programme on GOV.UK. This provides an opportunity to get comfortable with the new process before it becomes mandatory. Importantly, penalties for late submissions will not apply during the testing phase.

This move follows the rollout of MTD for VAT, which according to an independent report prepared for HMRC has helped over two million businesses improve accuracy and reduce errors.

As the deadline approaches, it is important to start planning in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new way of reporting Income Tax.