Making Tax Digital Software Setup

Making Tax Digital does not allow purely manual record-keeping or typing figures straight into an HMRC portal. You must use software that HMRC recognises as MTD-compatible to store digital records and transmit quarterly updates. HMRC maintains separate recognised-software lists for MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax, and the right choice depends on your circumstances.

We are independent and do not take commission from software vendors, so our recommendation is based on fit, not sales. When choosing, we look at:

• Whether you are a sole trader, landlord, or both
• Your transaction volume and number of income sources or properties
• Whether you are VAT-registered and need MTD for VAT too
• Whether you prefer full accounting software or a lighter tool
• Your budget, including free and low-cost options where suitable

• Selection of the most appropriate MTD-compatible software for your situation
• Account creation and configuration
• Connection and authorisation with your Government Gateway account
• Import or migration of your existing bookkeeping records
• Chart of accounts and category setup aligned to HMRC
• A short training session on day-to-day use

If you already use software or spreadsheets, we can move your records across cleanly so you do not lose history or start the tax year from scratch. We reconcile the opening position so your first MTD quarterly update is accurate from day one.

If you currently use spreadsheets to manage your records, you may be able to keep using them alongside MTD-compatible bridging software that formats and transmits the required data to HMRC. We can assess whether bridging software is right for you and set it up if so.

Can I use spreadsheets for MTD? →

Call 0114 327 1480 or email shjenquiry@msc-g.com and we’ll get you MTD-ready. Not sure whether MTD applies to you yet?

Start with a free MTD check →