Making Tax Digital: your next quarterly update is due 7 November
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Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. If you're in, your second quarterly update is due by 7 November 2026.
The 2026 to 2027 deadlines
| Quarter | Period | Update due |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 April to 5 July | 7 August 2026 |
| 2 | 6 July to 5 October | 7 November 2026 |
| 3 | 6 October to 5 January | 7 February 2027 |
| 4 | 6 January to 5 April | 7 May 2027 |
If you chose calendar quarters instead, your periods end on the last day of the month, but the deadlines are the same. Your tax return for the year is due by 31 January 2028.
Penalties: a soft landing this year
HMRC has confirmed there are no penalties for missing a quarterly update deadline in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. That's not a free pass: you must still keep digital records and send all your quarterly updates before you file your tax return. From 2027 to 2028, each missed update earns a penalty point, and 4 points means a £200 penalty.
Make the quarterly updates easy
- Use MTD-compatible software, such as Xero*, QuickBooks*, FreeAgent* or Sage*. Check it's on HMRC's list for Income Tax.
- Keep business money in a separate account linked to your software. Accounts such as Tide*, ANNA* and Countingup* feed transactions straight in.
- Do your bookkeeping monthly, so each update takes minutes rather than a weekend.
General information only, not professional advice. Correct as at the date shown; rules change, so check GOV.UK or with an accountant before acting.