What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax?

It’s HMRC’s new way for sole traders and landlords to keep digital records and send regular updates instead of doing everything just at year-end. From 6 April 2026 some individuals with qualifying income will have to use it.

Who needs to use it and when?

If you’re a sole trader or landlord and your combined gross income from self-employment and/or property is above the relevant threshold — £50,000+ for 2024/25 tax year (start 6 April 2026); £30,000+ for 2025/26 (start 6 April 2027). Even if you do not receive a letter you must still check your position.

What will I actually have to do under MTD?

You (or your adviser) will need software that can create and store digital records of income and expenses, send a quarterly update for each income source, and submit your tax return via the software by 31 January following the tax year end.

How do the quarterly updates work?

After each quarter ends you have one month to send your update. Standard periods are 6 Apr–5 Jul (due 7 Aug), 6 Apr–5 Oct (due 7 Nov), 6 Apr–5 Jan (due 7 Feb), 6 Apr–5 Apr (due 7 May).

Do I have to keep every record digitally?

You must keep digital records of your self-employment and/or property income and expenses in compatible software. Other income types (such as dividends or pensions) do not need digital records, but your software must still include them when completing your return.

How does the spreadsheet fit in?

Auto Sheets provides a guided spreadsheet that maps your categories to HMRC’s required fields. You record transactions as you go; our system totals the quarter and submits the figures to HMRC via the required digital link.

What if I make a mistake in a quarterly update?

HMRC allows corrections to be reflected in later updates or at year-end; you do not resend the original quarterly update. Auto Sheets guides you how to correct the figures.

What about penalties if I’m late?

HMRC operates a points-based late submission system. The safest approach is to file each quarterly update on time. Auto Sheets provides reminder prompts and makes the process simpler.

Take a seat, suiteSheets

The MTD solution for spreadsheet lovers

Free template

    No monthly subscription
    No complicated software
    Simply spreadsheets

Your spreadsheet for MTD compliance

suiteSheets gives you everything you need to stay on HMRC's good side, without abandoning the tools you know and love.

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Your spreadsheet, our link

Keep using your spreadsheet. We just add the HMRC connection magic.

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Digital link to HMRC

Seamless, secure submissions that tick all the MTD boxes. No faffing about.

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Pay once for all your quarterly updates

No monthly fees draining your account.

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Jargon free

Our community knowledge base makes tax compliance enjoyable, or at least we try.

Peace of mind with suiteSheets

No complicated onboarding. No steep learning curves. Just a straightforward path to compliance.

1

Get set up.

Take a moment and download our Google Sheets template and start tracking your income and expenses. No complex categorisation required. Just separate income from expenses.

Free template included

2

Stay informed.

Join others for interesting articles in our community knowledge base. We break down MTD requirements in plain English so you understand what you are doing.

No jargon zone

3

Submit and relax.

When it is time to submit, we connect your completed Google Sheet to HMRC digitally. You only pay at this point. Simple.

Pay only when you submit

Fancy a seat?

Lets be honest with each other, suiteSheets is not for everyone - and that is okay.

Here is how to know if we are a comfortable fit.

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SOLE TRADERS

While you may be trading solely, you are not alone in the tax game. Our template is built to support you.

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LANDLORD and AIRBnB HOSTS

Multiple properties? No problem. Track income and expenses property by property like a pro.

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CONSTRUCTION and TRADE

You build things properly. Your tax records should be no different. Solid foundations, neat finishes.

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FREELANCE and CREATIVES

Stay free to focus on your craft, not burdensome tax software.

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IT CONTRACTORS

You have mastered complex code - now master your tax returns. Same logical approach.

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ACCOUNTANTS

Serve your spreadsheet loving clients without forcing them into clunky software. Win win.

Is suiteSheets right for you?

suiteSheets is perfect if…

✓ You earn £50k–£90k
✓ You use cash accounting
✓ You love spreadsheets
✓ You want to understand MTD
✓ You hate paying monthly fees
Maybe not the best fit if…

✗ You prefer someone else handles all your taxes.
✗ You want a fully automated accounting system.
✗ You hate spreadsheets with a passion.
No hard feelings - an accountant or full accounting software might serve you better.

Download the free template to get started

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