Can sole traders and landlords still use spreadsheets for Making Tax Digital?

Yes. HMRC allows spreadsheet-based record-keeping combined with HMRC-recognised bridging software for submissions. You do not need full accounting software. With suiteSheets, you either download our free pre-built .xlsx template (which has the Overview sheet built in and opens in Excel or Google Sheets), or you add our Overview sheet to your existing spreadsheet using our instructions. The Overview sheet is required for suiteSheets to read your figures and submit to HMRC. This is a one-time setup step - after that, you continue recording income and expenses as you normally would. suiteSheets does not provide advice on whether this approach is suitable for your circumstances. Speak to a qualified accountant if you are unsure.

Can I submit MTD returns directly from Excel or Google Sheets?

No. Excel and Google Sheets cannot submit MTD returns directly to HMRC. Two things are needed. First, the suiteSheets Overview sheet must be present in your spreadsheet - provided by suiteSheets as a one-time setup step. It creates the required digital link within your records by automatically calculating cumulative totals from your income and expense data. The structure of the Overview sheet must be kept intact - your records feed into it, but the sheet itself should not be modified. Second, the suiteSheets platform is the bridging software that handles the submission. When a submission is due, you upload your spreadsheet to suiteSheets, verify the figures read from your Overview sheet on screen, and suiteSheets transmits them to HMRC. Both are required. Your underlying records and your spreadsheet stay under your control throughout.

What is MTD bridging software?

Bridging software connects your spreadsheet to HMRC for Making Tax Digital submissions. With suiteSheets, you can either use our free pre-built template or add our Overview sheet to your existing spreadsheet. Each quarter, you upload your spreadsheet. suiteSheets reads the totals from your Overview sheet, checks the format, and securely sends those figures to HMRC. We do not calculate or adjust your numbers - all figures come from your spreadsheet and remain your responsibility.

Do I need accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks for Making Tax Digital?

No. HMRC recognises bridging software as a valid alternative to full accounting software for spreadsheet users. suiteSheets is HMRC-recognised bridging software costing £20 per tax year for one income source, £10 for each additional income source - compared to £120 to £360 or more per year for accounting software subscriptions. suiteSheets has no monthly fees, no forced features you do not need, and no lock-in contracts. If you can use a spreadsheet, you can use suiteSheets. suiteSheets does not provide advice on whether this approach is suitable for your circumstances. Speak to a qualified accountant if you are unsure.

What is the cheapest way to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Yes. HMRC recognises bridging software as a valid alternative to full accounting software for spreadsheet users. suiteSheets is HMRC-recognised bridging software costing £20 per tax year for one income source, £10 for each additional income source - compared to £120 to £360 or more per year for accounting software subscriptions. suiteSheets has no monthly fees, no forced features you do not need, and no lock-in contracts. suiteSheets does not provide advice on whether this approach is suitable for your circumstances. Speak to a qualified accountant if you are unsure.

Can I use Excel for Making Tax Digital?

Yes. The suiteSheets template is a standard .xlsx file - you can open it directly in Excel and use it there. You can also add our Overview sheet to your existing Excel file using our instructions. Excel cannot directly connect to HMRC's Making Tax Digital system. The Overview sheet and suiteSheets platform together provide the MTD solution. When a submission is due, you upload your Excel file to the suiteSheets platform, suiteSheets reads your Overview sheet and displays your cumulative totals for you to verify, then transmits them to HMRC. It is your responsibility to determine when submissions are due. suiteSheets does not provide advice on submission timing. Check your obligations with HMRC directly or speak to a qualified accountant.

Can I use Google Sheets for Making Tax Digital?

Yes. The suiteSheets template is a standard .xlsx file - you can upload it directly to Google Sheets and use it there. You can also add our Overview sheet to your existing Google Sheets file using our instructions. Google Sheets cannot directly connect to HMRC's Making Tax Digital system. The Overview sheet and suiteSheets platform together provide the MTD solution. When a submission is due, you download your Google Sheets file and upload it to the suiteSheets platform, suiteSheets reads your Overview sheet and displays your cumulative totals for you to verify, then transmits them to HMRC. It is your responsibility to determine when submissions are due. suiteSheets does not provide advice on submission timing. Check your obligations with HMRC directly or speak to a qualified accountant.

When does Making Tax Digital for Income Tax start?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has started for some sole traders and landlords from April 2026, with further groups following from April 2027 and later. The income thresholds and start dates that determine who must comply with Making Tax Digital are set by HMRC. Check your own obligations with HMRC directly or speak to a qualified accountant. suiteSheets does not provide advice on whether or when you are required to use MTD.

Can construction workers and sole traders in trade use suiteSheets?

Yes. suiteSheets is suitable for sole traders in construction and trade who track income and expenses in Excel or Google Sheets. You add our Overview sheet to your existing spreadsheet or use our free template. suiteSheets reads your cumulative totals and handles the submission to HMRC. Spreadsheets are allowed for records, but submissions must go through HMRC-recognised software like suiteSheets. Whether you need to comply with MTD, and when, depends on your individual circumstances. Check your obligations with HMRC directly or speak to a qualified accountant.

Is suiteSheets an alternative to Xero or QuickBooks for MTD?

Yes. HMRC recognises bridging software as a valid alternative to full accounting software for spreadsheet users. suiteSheets is HMRC-recognised bridging software designed specifically for people who want to keep their existing Excel or Google Sheets workflow. suiteSheets costs £20 per tax year for all four quarterly submissions for one income source, with no monthly subscription - compared to £120 to £460 per year for typical accounting software.

Do I need an accountant for Making Tax Digital?

HMRC allows individuals to manage their own MTD submissions using recognised software, without using an accountant. suiteSheets is designed for people who are comfortable managing their own records and want to handle submissions themselves. Whether you need an accountant depends entirely on your own circumstances and how complex your tax affairs are. suiteSheets does not provide tax, legal, financial, or accounting advice. If you are unsure, speak to a qualified accountant.

Can an accountant recommend suiteSheets to their clients?

Yes. suiteSheets is suitable for accountants whose clients prefer to manage their own records in spreadsheets. It allows those clients to submit quarterly updates without adopting new accounting software. suiteSheets is for personal use by the individual taxpayer and is not available for agents to file on behalf of clients.

Common MTD software errors explained

8 Jul

Written By Stacey Grigolava

Making Tax Digital Guide

30-second answer

Software error messages will generally appear when there is a problem getting the right information from HMRC.

Connecting software to HMRC and signing up for Making Tax Digital are two different steps.

- You need to register your self-employment or property income for MTD with HMRC.
- You also need to create a link to your Government Gateway account via your software provider.

If you haven't registered your income source before the link is created, the software may show messages such as:

No obligations available
Unable to retrieve obligations
No filing periods found
Access denied

This guide is most relevant if you are:

A sole trader or landlord
Setting up MTD for the first time
Seeing error messages when connecting software to HMRC
Troubleshooting MTD connection errors

suiteSheets character checking an MTD error

This guide covers

Why a successful HMRC connection still doesn't workWhy software access and MTD sign-up are separate Two separate HMRC stepsSign-up and software authorisation Why your software says "No Obligations Available"Quarterly updates and obligations What "Unable To Retrieve Obligations" meansWhen HMRC does not return expected information Why no filing periods or quarterly updates are showingMissing filing periods and quarterly updates What an HMRC 403 error meansAccess denied and forbidden responses Whether changing software will fix the problemWhen the issue sits with HMRC setup Who should fix the problem?HMRC or your software provider ChecklistWhat to check first FAQsCommon MTD error questions HMRC guidanceOfficial sources used for this page

This guide is provided for general information only and is based on HMRC guidance available at the time of writing.

Why are error messages so common when setting up MTD?

⌄

Error messages are one of the most common Making Tax Digital setup problems because two separate HMRC steps feel like one process.

Many people connect their software to HMRC, see a successful connection message, and assume they are ready to submit quarterly updates.

However, HMRC treats software connection and Making Tax Digital sign-up as separate processes. This means your software can connect successfully while still being unable to retrieve filing periods and obligations, or to submit updates.

In short

A successful software connection doesn’t always mean your self-employment and/or property income has been registered for Making Tax Digital.

Two separate HMRC steps required

⌄

HMRC requires customers to both sign up for MTD and to authorise compatible software before they begin submitting through their quarterly updates.

This means that signing up for MTD, and giving your chosen software permission to share information with HMRC, are two separate steps.

1. Sign up for Making Tax Digital

This is done through your Government Gateway account and is where you register your self-employment income and/or property income for Making Tax Digital.

This means your income source is registered (or signed up) for Making Tax Digital.

It does not give your chosen software permission to share information with HMRC.

2. Authorise your software

This is done through your chosen software.

Typically, they will redirect you to HMRC where you sign in with your Government Gateway account details and approve the software connection to HMRC.

This gives your chosen software permission to share information with HMRC on your behalf.

It does not automatically sign you up for Making Tax Digital.

In short

Signing up for Making Tax Digital registers your income with HMRC. Authorising your software allows it to communicate with HMRC. You need both before you can submit quarterly updates.

Why does my MTD software say "No Obligations Available"?

⌄

Some software use the word ‘obligations’ because that’s the term used within HMRC systems – it is basically the quarterly updates HMRC expects you to submit.

‘No Obligations Available’ usually means your software can’t find the quarterly updates, filing periods or submission information expected.

This often happens because:

Your Making Tax Digital sign-up incomplete.
HMRC is still processing your registration.
You're signed into the wrong Government Gateway account.
Your Government Gateway account isn't showing the correct MTD obligations.
The software is authorised for a different HMRC account.

Next steps:

Confirm you've signed up for Making Tax Digital.
Check you're using the correct Government Gateway account.
Check your Government Gateway account shows the correct MTD obligations.
If you've recently signed up, allow HMRC time to complete the registration before trying again.

What does "Unable To Retrieve Obligations" mean?

⌄

Some software use the word ‘obligations’ because that’s the term used within HMRC systems – it is basically the quarterly updates HMRC expects you to submit.

‘Unable to Retrieve Obligations’ usually means the software has contacted HMRC, but HMRC has not returned the quarterly updates, filing periods or submission information expected.

This often happens because:

Your Making Tax Digital sign-up incomplete.
HMRC is still processing your registration.
You're signed into the wrong Government Gateway account.
Your Government Gateway account isn't showing the correct MTD obligations.
The software is authorised for a different HMRC account.

Next steps:

Confirm you've signed up for Making Tax Digital.
Check you're using the correct Government Gateway account.
Check your Government Gateway account shows the correct MTD obligations.
If you've recently signed up, allow HMRC time to complete the registration before trying again.

Why can't my software find my filing periods?

⌄

Filing periods are the date ranges for your quarterly updates.

If HMRC does not return those periods to the software, the software may show a message such as

"No Filing Periods Found",
"No Quarterly Updates Found",
"No Obligations Available" or
"Unable To Retrieve Obligations".

Although the wording differs between software providers, the underlying cause is often the same — HMRC hasn't made the filing periods available for your account.

This often happens because:

Your Making Tax Digital sign-up incomplete.
HMRC is still processing your registration.
You're signed into the wrong Government Gateway account.
Your Government Gateway account isn't showing the correct MTD obligations.
The software is authorised for a different HMRC account.

Next steps:

Confirm you've signed up for Making Tax Digital.
Check you're using the correct Government Gateway account.
Check your Government Gateway account shows the correct MTD obligations.
If you've recently signed up, allow HMRC time to complete the registration before trying again.

I signed into HMRC through my chosen software, so why is it still not working?

⌄

Signing into HMRC through your chosen software typically authorises that software to communicate with your Government Gateway account.

It doesn’t automatically register your income for Making Tax Digital.

It's possible to have a successful software connection while still seeing error messages because your self-employment and/or property income hasn't yet been registered with HMRC or the registration is still being processed.

Next Steps

Have you completed the HMRC Making Tax Digital sign-up?
Are you using the same Government Gateway account for both sign-up and software authorisation?
Does your Government Gateway account show the correct MTD obligations?
Has HMRC confirmed your registration is complete?

Will changing software fix errors?

⌄

Not necessarily.

If HMRC is blocking access because the Making Tax Digital income registration is incomplete, linked to the wrong account or still being processed, the same issue will likely appear in any other software you try.

Before changing software:

Check your HMRC sign-up.
Check your Government Gateway account.
Review any messages you've received from HMRC.
Confirm your software is authorised against the correct account

What does a 403 error mean?

⌄

Most people will never see the words 403 error. The software company may hide the technical message and show something clearer instead but basically a 403 error message means access is forbidden

This usually means HMRC understands the request, but access is not allowed for that person or business.

In the MTD setup journey, that often points to a sign-up or authorisation issue rather than a problem with your spreadsheet or the software itself.

Some common examples include:

You haven't signed up for Making Tax Digital yet.
Your HMRC Making Tax Digital sign-up is still being processed.
You're signed into the wrong Government Gateway account.
Your Government Gateway account isn't showing the correct MTD obligations.
Your software hasn't been authorised to access the correct HMRC account.
You're trying to access an MTD service that isn't available for that person or business.

Next steps

Confirm you've completed your Making Tax Digital sign-up.
Check you're using the correct Government Gateway account.
Check your Government Gateway account shows the correct MTD obligations.
Re-authorise your software if necessary.
If you've only recently signed up, allow HMRC time to activate your registration.

Who should fix the problem?

⌄

One of the most frustrating parts of Making Tax Digital setup is working out who to contact.

Contact HMRC if:

You haven't completed your Making Tax Digital sign-up.
Your registration is still being processed.
Your income source isn't showing after you've signed up.
You believe there's a problem with your MTD registration.

Contact your software provider if:

You can't authorise the software with HMRC.
You're seeing unexpected software messages after your HMRC setup is complete.
You're unsure how to reconnect or re-authorise your software.

In many cases, the software is working correctly and is simply reporting the information (or lack of information) returned by HMRC.

Checklist: what should I check?

⌄

Before you panic, try the below if your software is showing error messages.

✓ Check 1: Have you signed up for Making Tax Digital?

⌄

Connecting software to HMRC is not the same as signing up for Making Tax Digital.

Confirm that you have completed HMRC's MTD sign-up process for the self-employment and/or property income you are trying to report.

✓ Check 2: Are you using the correct Government Gateway account?

⌄

Make sure you are signing into the HMRC account linked to the tax record you are trying to submit for.

This is particularly important if you have multiple Government Gateway accounts for more than one business.

✓ Check 3: Has HMRC finished processing your sign-up?

⌄

If you signed up recently, HMRC may not yet be ready to return your MTD information to the software.

Ensure your MTD sign-up is active, reconnect the software and try again.

If all three checks are correct and your software still cannot find your MTD information, contact HMRC or your software provider.

Frequently asked questions

⌄

Does connecting software to HMRC mean I am signed up for MTD?

⌄

No. Connecting software gives the software permission to communicate with HMRC. Signing up for Making Tax Digital is a separate HMRC process.

Why does my MTD software say it is authorised but still cannot find my quarterly updates?

⌄

The software may have permission to connect, but HMRC may not have an active MTD sign-up for the income source you are trying to report.

What does "No Obligations Available" mean?

⌄

It usually means the software cannot find the quarterly updates or filing periods HMRC expects you to submit. This may be because your MTD sign-up is missing, incomplete or still being processed.

What is an HMRC 403 error?

⌄

A 403 error means access is not allowed. In an MTD context, this can happen when the software is authorised but the user is not properly signed up for the relevant MTD service.

Why can't I submit my MTD quarterly update?

⌄

One common reason is that HMRC has not returned an active quarterly update period for your account.

Is this my accountant's fault or the software's fault?

⌄

Perhaps neither. Issues often come from the difference between software authorisation and MTD sign-up. The software may be working correctly, but HMRC may not yet allow access to the MTD service.

Should I change MTD software if I get this error?

⌄

Not immediately. First check your HMRC sign-up, Government Gateway account and income source. If the HMRC setup is the issue, the same error may happen elsewhere.

HMRC guidance used for this page

⌄

suiteSheets is software for spreadsheet users. We do not provide tax advice, accounting advice or legal advice. If you are unsure how Making Tax Digital applies to your circumstances, contact HMRC or a qualified adviser.

These HMRC pages provide further context on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, signing up, compatible software and software authorisation.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax MTD for sole traders and landlords Find out if and when you need MTD Sign up for MTD Choose MTD software Find compatible software Authorise software for Making Tax Digital Quarterly updates

Try the FREE suiteSheets template

Want to see what a spreadsheet designed for Making Tax Digital looks like?

Download the free suiteSheets template and explore how income, expenses and totals can be structured for a spreadsheet-based MTD solution.

Free Templates

Open a FREE suiteSheets account

suiteSheets is MTD-compatible software designed for sole traders and landlords who prefer a spreadsheet-based approach to Making Tax Digital.

Open your free suiteSheets account and explore Making Tax Digital made easy.

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Stacey Grigolava

Common MTD software errors explained

30-second answer

This guide is most relevant if you are:

This guide covers

Why are error messages so common when setting up MTD?

In short

Two separate HMRC steps required

1. Sign up for Making Tax Digital

2. Authorise your software

In short

Why does my MTD software say "No Obligations Available"?

What does "Unable To Retrieve Obligations" mean?

Why can't my software find my filing periods?

I signed into HMRC through my chosen software, so why is it still not working?

Will changing software fix errors?

What does a 403 error mean?

Who should fix the problem?

Checklist: what should I check?

✓ Check 1: Have you signed up for Making Tax Digital?

✓ Check 2: Are you using the correct Government Gateway account?

✓ Check 3: Has HMRC finished processing your sign-up?

Frequently asked questions

Does connecting software to HMRC mean I am signed up for MTD?

Why does my MTD software say it is authorised but still cannot find my quarterly updates?

What does "No Obligations Available" mean?

What is an HMRC 403 error?

Why can't I submit my MTD quarterly update?

Is this my accountant's fault or the software's fault?

Should I change MTD software if I get this error?

HMRC guidance used for this page

Try the FREE suiteSheets template

Open a FREE suiteSheets account

Related MTD guides

What Is MTD-Compatible Software?

What is an MTD Quarterly Update?