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.

Create a FREE suiteSheets account

6 Jul

Written By Christine Gibson

suiteSheets Guide

30-second answer

Creating a suiteSheets account is designed to be straightforward.

You use your email address to create your account, choose a password and access your suiteSheets dashboard.

To submit figures to HMRC, you will also need to connect suiteSheets to your HMRC account so your Making Tax Digital obligations can appear in your dashboard.

Once connected, you can upload your spreadsheet, review the figures and submit to HMRC through suiteSheets.

This guide is most relevant if you are:

A sole trader or landlord
New to suiteSheets
Ready to create your suiteSheets account
Preparing to connect suiteSheets to HMRC
Using Excel or Google Sheets for your records

suiteSheets character holding a welcome sign

This guide covers

Create your accountEmail, password and dashboard access Connect to HMRCAuthorising suiteSheets securely Your dashboardWhere your obligations appear Submitting your spreadsheetUpload, review and submit Your responsibilityChecking figures before submission HMRC guidanceOfficial sources used for this page FAQsCommon account questions

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

Create your suiteSheets account

⌄

Creating a suiteSheets account is designed to be simple.

You use your email address to create your account and choose a password.

Once your account is created, you can access your suiteSheets dashboard. This is where you manage your Making Tax Digital submissions.

Create Free Account

Connect suiteSheets to HMRC

⌄

To submit figures to HMRC, you need to authorise your suiteSheets account to connect with HMRC.

HMRC requires people to authorise compatible software before it can connect to their Making Tax Digital services.

In practice, this means signing in with the HMRC details linked to your Making Tax Digital for Income Tax account and giving permission for suiteSheets to connect securely.

You need your National Insurance number and HMRC login details as part of this process.

In short

suiteSheets needs permission to connect to HMRC before it can display MTD requirements or submit figures.

Your suiteSheets dashboard

⌄

Once suiteSheets is connected to HMRC, your business MTD requirements appear in your suiteSheets dashboard.

This helps you see what needs to be submitted and when.

The dashboard is also where you upload your spreadsheet when you are ready to make a submission.

Submitting your spreadsheet

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When you are ready to submit, upload your spreadsheet to your suiteSheets account.

suiteSheets reads the totals directly from your Overview sheet, displays them clearly on screen and asks you to confirm that everything looks correct.

Once you are happy, you can submit the figures straight to HMRC.

No retyping numbers. No complicated steps. Just a quick check and a straightforward submission.

Your responsibility

⌄

suiteSheets is designed to help spreadsheet users prepare and submit information to HMRC.

Your spreadsheet remains your record of truth, and you stay in control of your data.

suiteSheets reads the totals from your Overview sheet and transmits them to HMRC, but it does not verify the accuracy of those figures.

You are responsible for keeping accurate records, checking figures before submission and meeting HMRC deadlines.

In short

You stay in control of your records and remain responsible for the figures submitted to HMRC.

HMRC guidance used for this page

⌄

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

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 signing up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, choosing software and authorising compatible software.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax MTD for sole traders and landlords Sign up for MTD Choose MTD software Find software that works with MTD Authorise software for MTD

Frequently asked questions

⌄

Do I need a suiteSheets account to submit to HMRC?

⌄

Yes. You need a suiteSheets account to upload your spreadsheet, review your figures and submit to HMRC through suiteSheets.

Is suiteSheets HMRC recognised?

⌄

Yes. suiteSheets is HMRC recognised bridging software.

Do I need to connect suiteSheets to HMRC?

⌄

Yes. To submit figures to HMRC, you need to authorise suiteSheets to connect to HMRC on your behalf.

What details do I need?

⌄

You need your email address to create your suiteSheets account. To connect to HMRC, you need your National Insurance number and HMRC login details.

Does suiteSheets store my spreadsheet data?

⌄

Your spreadsheet remains your record of truth. suiteSheets reads the totals needed for submission from your Overview sheet and displays them for review before submission.

Can I use Excel or Google Sheets?

⌄

Yes. suiteSheets is designed for spreadsheet users and works with Excel or Google Sheets, provided your submission figures are available in the required Overview sheet format.

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

Create your account, connect to HMRC and manage your Making Tax Digital submissions from your suiteSheets dashboard.

No complicated setup. Just spreadsheets made MTD-ready.

Free Account

Christine Gibson

Create a FREE suiteSheets account

30-second answer

This guide is most relevant if you are:

This guide covers

Create your suiteSheets account

Connect suiteSheets to HMRC

In short

Your suiteSheets dashboard

Submitting your spreadsheet

Your responsibility

In short

HMRC guidance used for this page

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a suiteSheets account to submit to HMRC?

Is suiteSheets HMRC recognised?

Do I need to connect suiteSheets to HMRC?

What details do I need?

Does suiteSheets store my spreadsheet data?

Can I use Excel or Google Sheets?

Try the FREE suiteSheets template

Open a FREE suiteSheets account

Related MTD guides

How to use suiteSheets OVERVIEW sheet

What is MTD Bridging Software?