Who Faces MTD Deadlines in 2026
The April 2026 cohort is sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. They are the first group to begin quarterly digital reporting under MTD for Income Tax.
Q1 Deadline — 7 August 2026
Covers the period 6 April 2026 to 5 July 2026.
Q2 Deadline — 7 November 2026
Covers the period 6 July 2026 to 5 October 2026.
Q3 Deadline — 7 February 2027
Covers the period 6 October 2026 to 5 January 2027.
Q4 Deadline — 7 May 2027
Covers the period 6 January 2027 to 5 April 2027.
Final Declaration Deadline
The final declaration for the 2026/27 tax year is due by 31 January 2028. It finalises your business income for the year, includes all other income and reliefs, and replaces the traditional Self Assessment return.
Final Declaration Deadline
The final declaration replaces the Self Assessment tax return and is due by 31 January 2028 for the 2026/27 tax year.
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline
HMRC operates a points-based penalty system. Each missed quarterly update normally earns a point; accumulating points results in a £200 financial penalty. HMRC has confirmed that for those required to use MTD for Income Tax from 6 April 2026, no penalty points will be applied for late quarterly updates for the first 12 months. Late tax return penalties still apply.