Filing before the next MTD deadline
The first MTD quarterly deadline (7 August 2026) has passed and the next is 7 November 2026 — start here if you are catching up or getting ready.
- How to file MTD: 3 stepsThe three steps to file your MTD — and how we can do it for you.
- MTD deadline: 7 August 2026What the first quarterly update deadline means and who it affects.
- Your first quarterly updateWhat your first MTD update covers and how to submit it.
- Who can file my MTD?Yes, an agent can file for you — here's how it works.
- How much does it cost?Our MTD registration and filing fees explained.
- Last-minute MTD helpNot set up with the deadline close? We can help fast.
- Missed the deadline?What happens if you're late and how to get back on track.
- Does the deadline apply to me?Check whether you're in the first MTD wave for 2026.
- Is the deadline being delayed?MTD is confirmed for April 2026 — don't count on a delay.
- What to do before the deadlineYour step-by-step checklist for the 7 August deadline.
- MTD deadline for sole tradersWhen sole traders must file, based on turnover.
- MTD deadline for landlordsWhen landlords must file, based on gross rents.
Making Tax Digital basics
Start here if you're new to MTD — what it is, who it affects and how to get ready.
- What is Making Tax Digital?A plain-English overview of HMRC's MTD programme and why it exists.
- HMRC Making Tax DigitalHMRC's MTD programme explained, and what changes in 2026.
- MTD requirementsDigital records, software, digital links and quarterly updates.
- HMRC MTD loginHow to sign in to HMRC for MTD, and where filing actually happens.
- Who needs Making Tax Digital?Check whether MTD for Income Tax or VAT applies to your situation.
- When does MTD start?The phased MTD ITSA start dates for April 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- How to prepare for MTDA step-by-step checklist to get your records and software ready.
- How to register for MTDSigning up for MTD ITSA or MTD VAT through HMRC.
- MTD readiness checklistA practical checklist to confirm you're MTD-ready before the deadline.
- MTD rules & complianceThe core MTD requirements: digital records, digital links and submissions.
Rules, thresholds & deadlines
The numbers and dates that decide when and how MTD applies to you.
- MTD qualifying incomeHow the income and turnover thresholds for MTD ITSA and VAT work.
- MTD deadlines 2026Key dates for the first MTD ITSA wave (£50,000+ income).
- MTD deadlines 2027Key dates for the second wave (£30,000+ income).
- MTD deadlines 2028Key dates for the third wave (£20,000+ income).
- MTD exemptionsWho can apply for an exemption and how the HMRC process works.
- Can you opt out of MTD?HMRC's opt-out rules, the three-year test and what happens to your updates.
- Main agent vs supporting agentWhat each agent role can do and how to authorise an agent.
- MTD penaltiesHMRC's points-based late submission penalty regime explained.
- MTD quarterly updatesWhat each quarterly update contains and when it's due.
Income Tax (ITSA), sole traders & landlords
How MTD for Income Tax changes things for the self-employed and property owners.
- MTD for Income Tax explainedHow MTD ITSA works for sole traders and landlords.
- MTD ITSA explainedWhat Income Tax Self Assessment looks like under MTD.
- MTD year-end tax returnAdjustments, other income and the 31 January return after your fourth update.
- MTD for sole tradersA step-by-step walkthrough for self-employed sole traders.
- MTD for the self-employedA broad guide for anyone with self-employment income.
- MTD for freelancers & contractorsHow MTD affects freelancers, contractors and consultants.
- MTD for landlordsMTD ITSA for UK landlords with property income.
- MTD for rental incomeBuy-to-let and property income under MTD.
VAT
Making Tax Digital for VAT — mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses.
Software
Choosing and using the right HMRC-recognised MTD software.
- MTD software guideAn overview of Making Tax Digital software options.
- Xero vs QuickBooks vs Sage vs FreeAgentA side-by-side comparison of the leading MTD packages.
- Best MTD softwareThe top HMRC-recognised MTD-compatible tools.
- Free MTD softwareFree and low-cost options for sole traders and landlords.
- Do I need MTD software?When compatible software is required versus optional.
- MTD bridging softwareUsing spreadsheets with bridging software to stay compliant.
- Can I use spreadsheets?How spreadsheets fit into MTD via bridging software.
Limited companies & Companies House
Accounts, Corporation Tax and Companies House compliance for micro companies, single-director companies and owner-managed businesses.
- Limited companies hubEvery filing a UK limited company must make, in one place.
- What are statutory accounts?The annual financial statements every company must prepare.
- When are company accounts due?The 9-month rule, first-year deadlines and how to check yours.
- Late filing penaltiesThe £150–£1,500 automatic penalty scale and how appeals work.
- Micro-entity accountsWho qualifies as a micro-entity and what FRS 105 accounts involve.
- What is a confirmation statement?The annual CS01 filing explained: deadlines, fees and PSCs.
- Corporation Tax deadlinesPayment at 9 months + 1 day, CT600 at 12 months — explained.
- Dormant companies explainedWhat dormant means and the filings a dormant company still makes.
- Director responsibilitiesYour legal duties as a director, from filings to record-keeping.
- Companies House vs HMRCWhich filings go to which body — and why both charge penalties.
- Limited company accountant feesPublished UK price ranges, what drives the cost and how fixed fees compare.
- How to choose an accountantRegisters, anti-money laundering supervision, insurance and fees to check.
- Complete guide to Companies HouseEverything you must file, plus fees, penalties, PSCs and strike-off.
- Complete guide to Corporation TaxRegistration, rates, deadlines, the CT600 and reducing the bill.
- People with significant controlWho counts as a PSC, the five conditions and what to register.
- Companies House identity verificationHow directors and PSCs verify, personal codes and when they're due.
- How to make a company dormantPausing a company: the steps for HMRC, VAT, PAYE and filings.
- How to close a companyStrike-off, MVL and what to do with an insolvent company.
- Complete guide to small company accountsSize thresholds, FRS 105 vs 102, audit exemption and filleted accounts.
- Director's loan accountThe S455 charge, the £10k benefit-in-kind trap and how to clear a loan.
- Appoint or remove a directorForms AP01 and TM01, the 14-day rule and forced removals.
- Issue or transfer sharesAllotments (SH01) vs transfers (J30), pre-emption and stamp duty.
- Restart a dormant companyTrading again: tell HMRC, re-register and switch to full accounts.
- Contractor limited companyIR35, how you pay yourself and what a contractor company files.
- Company car & EV taxBenefit-in-kind, why EVs win, and company car vs mileage.
- When to register for VATThe £90k threshold, the rolling-12-month test and voluntary registration.
- VAT Flat Rate SchemeHow it works, the 16.5% limited-cost trap and whether it pays.
- Hiring your first employeePAYE, insurance, contracts and auto-enrolment — the full checklist.
- Property limited company (SPV)Buy-to-let via a company: Section 24, the trade-offs and what it files.
- Ecommerce limited companyStock, marketplace VAT and cross-border rules for online sellers.
- Change your company year endForm AA01, the shorten/lengthen rules and how deadlines move.
- Business Asset Disposal ReliefReduced CGT on selling or winding up your company, and the rising rate.
- How to reduce Corporation TaxThe legitimate reliefs and timing that cut a company's tax bill.
- R&D tax creditsWhat qualifies, the merged scheme and the new reporting rules.
- EMI share optionsTax-advantaged share options to reward and keep key employees.
- Holding companies & groupsGroup structures, group relief and the associated-company trap.
- Umbrella vs limited companyWhich suits a contractor, and why IR35 status decides it.
- CIS explainedThe Construction Industry Scheme: deductions, returns and gross status.
- VAT reverse charge (construction)When the customer accounts for VAT, and the end-user exception.
- P11D & benefits in kindWhat to report, the 6 July deadline and Class 1A National Insurance.
- Trivial benefits & staff perksThe £50 rule, £300 director cap and the £150 annual event.
- VAT on servicesPlace-of-supply rules, the B2B reverse charge and digital services.
- VAT deregistrationWhen to cancel VAT, the £88k threshold and the deemed-supply charge.
- HMRC tax investigationsWhat triggers a check, your rights and how to handle it.
- Close company rulesWhat a close company is and the loans-to-participators charge.
- How to pay yourselfSalary, dividends, pension, expenses and loans — the efficient mix.
- Sole trader to limited companyHow to incorporate an existing business, and incorporation relief.
- Working from home expensesThe £6-a-week flat rate, actual costs and the rental option.
- What is a CT600?The Company Tax Return explained — form, computations and iXBRL.
- VAT Annual Accounting SchemeOne VAT return a year with predictable instalments.
- Company losses explainedCarry losses forward, back for a refund, or against other profits.
- Employment AllowanceUp to £10,500 off employer NI — and why sole-director firms can't claim.
- Payments on accountWhy the first tax bill feels double, and how to reduce them.
- Director pension contributionsThe most tax-efficient way to take money out: no NI, CT-deductible.
- How to pay Corporation TaxThe deadline, the payment reference that changes, and how to pay.
- VAT Cash Accounting SchemeAccount for VAT when paid — a cash-flow help for slow-paid businesses.
- Change your company nameSpecial resolution, form NM01, and why your company number stays.
- Business bank accountsWhy a company needs its own account and how it feeds clean books.
- Company mileage & travelThe 45p/25p rates, business travel and the 24-month rule.
- The compliance calendarEvery deadline a company faces in a year, in one place.
- Allowable expensesWhat your company can claim against Corporation Tax — and what it can't.
- Salary vs dividendsHow directors pay themselves tax-efficiently, with 2026/27 figures.
- Capital allowancesAIA, full expensing and the special rules for cars, explained.
- Corporation Tax rates19%, 25% and the 26.5% marginal band between — how it works.
- Limited company vs sole traderLiability, tax, admin and MTD — an honest comparison.
- New company checklistJust incorporated? Every step for your first 90 days.
- Your company's first yearThe 21-month rule and why year one needs two tax returns.
- Register for Corporation TaxThe 3-month rule, your UTR and how to register online.
- Registered office rulesThe 'appropriate address' rules, and home vs accountant's address.
Fees, costs & doing it yourself
What company filings cost — government fees, our fixed fees, and when DIY makes sense.
- Our fixed fees & pricesAccounts + CT600 £399, Self Assessment £199, dormant £99 (+VAT).
- Accountant costs comparedMonthly packages vs one-off fixed fees — an honest comparison.
- Cost to file accountsGovernment fees, preparation costs and penalties, itemised.
- Self Assessment costDIY free vs £199 fixed fee — and the cost of missing 31 January.
- Dormant company costThe true annual cost of keeping a company dormant.
- Can I do my own accounts?What DIY really involves and where it goes wrong.
MTD by profession
Situation-specific guidance for common self-employed trades and gig work.
- MTD for tradespeopleBuilders, electricians, plumbers and other trades.
- MTD for delivery driversUber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Amazon Flex.
- MTD for Uber & private hireUber, Bolt and private hire / taxi drivers.
- MTD for Airbnb hostsShort-term lets and holiday rental income.
- MTD for online sellersEtsy, eBay, Vinted, Amazon and Depop sellers.