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Making Tax Digital

MTD accountantsDo I need MTD?Tax calculatorMileage calculatorDeadline calendarMTD for Income TaxSelf-employedLandlordsSoftwareSign upPenalties and exemptionsSmall business accountants

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Guide · Software

MTD software, spreadsheets or an accountant?

The short answer

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax needs software that HMRC recognises. HMRC does not supply its own, but free products exist for simple tax affairs, and bridging software lets you keep using spreadsheets. Or an accountant can supply the software and do the submissions for you.

Compare accountantsAbout Making Tax Digital →

Prefer to talk? Call 0330 057 7175

An accountant talking a client through her figures at a meeting table

1 product

per submission: you cannot split one update across two products

£0
free products exist for simple tax affairs (HMRC)
3 routes
full software, bridging software or an accountant
4
quarterly updates a year, plus a tax return
5 years
to keep digital records after the deadline

Your options

Three ways to handle MTD

  • Full MTD softwareRecord income and expenses, link your bank and send updates and your return from one product.
  • Bridging softwareKeep your spreadsheet. The bridging tool reads the figures and sends them to HMRC.
  • An accountantThey supply or work in the software and send everything for you as your agent.
  • Free softwareAvailable for simple tax affairs, though free products may have limits.

Choosing

What to check before you choose

HMRC lists every recognised product in its software finder. It does not recommend any one product. Use the filters to check the software:

  • supports all your income sources, such as self-employment, UK property and overseas property
  • lets you make every submission: the quarterly updates and the tax return
  • fits your accounting period: the tax year, or calendar quarters to 31 March
  • works with your accountant, including more than one agent if you have them
  • covers your VAT too, if you are VAT registered
  • has HMRC Assist built in, which flags likely errors in your return

Spreadsheets

Can I use spreadsheets for MTD?

Yes. You keep your records in the spreadsheet and bridging software sends the totals to HMRC. Your figures must move between products digitally, for example through linked cells, a CSV file or an automatic transfer.

Once a figure has been sent to HMRC in an update, you must not retype it by hand into other software. Keep your original receipts and invoices too.

A sole trader reading a tax letter at his kitchen table

Software is only half the job

Software sends the figures, but you still have to get the categories, adjustments and deadlines right. Many people find an accountant who includes the software in a monthly fee is simpler. We will match you with up to 4 local MTD accountants.

Compare accountants

Software or accountant

Doing it yourself or using an accountant

Do it yourselfUse an accountant
CostFree to a monthly subscriptionA monthly fee, often including software
Your timeRecords, four updates and the returnUsually just sending receipts
DeadlinesYou track themThey track them for you
SuitsOne simple income sourceSeveral sources, property or a busy diary

Published accountant prices we found run from about £25 to £200 a month, with £45 to £150 typical. The MTD for Income Tax guide covers the rules either way.

A restaurant owner standing in his dining room

The dates that matter

  1. 6 Apr 2026Started for qualifying income over £50,000 (2024-25 return)
  2. 7 Nov 2026Second quarterly update due for the April 2026 group
  3. 6 Apr 2027Starts for qualifying income over £30,000 (2025-26 return). Penalty points for late quarterly updates begin
  4. 7 Aug 2027First quarterly update due for the April 2027 group
  5. 31 Jan 2028First MTD tax return and payment due for 2026-27
  6. 6 Apr 2028Starts for qualifying income over £20,000 (2026-27 return)

Questions people ask

MTD software: your questions

Does HMRC provide free MTD software?

No. HMRC does not supply its own software. You or your agent use commercial software, and free products are available for people with simple tax affairs. Source

What is bridging software?

Software that connects to records you already keep, such as a spreadsheet, and sends the figures to HMRC. Source

Can I use two different products?

You can only use one product for each separate submission you make to HMRC. Source

Which MTD software is best?

HMRC does not recommend any product. Use its software finder to check a product supports all your income sources, your accounting period and every submission you need to make. Source

Can I copy and paste figures between products?

Records must move between products digitally. Once a figure has been sent in a quarterly update, you must not move it by hand. Source

Will my accountant provide the software?

Many accountants include MTD software in their monthly fee and work in it with you. Ask each firm you compare.

Guides

MTD for Income Tax explainedWho is in, the dates, quarterly updates and what it costs.Making Tax Digital for the self-employedWhat changes for sole traders from April 2027.Making Tax Digital for landlordsRental income, joint ownership and overseas property.Self-employed tax calculatorHow much tax and NI to set aside each quarter.Self-employed mileage calculatorThe 55p rate or actual costs: which claims more.MTD deadline calendarEvery update and payment date, added to your calendar.Do I need to use Making Tax Digital?Check your qualifying income and start date.How to sign up for Making Tax DigitalSigning up yourself, or letting an accountant do it.MTD penalties and exemptionsPenalty points, late payment and who is exempt.Accountants for small businessWhat they do, what to ask and what they cost.MTD for builders and CIS subcontractorsHomeowner and contractor work, CIS and the reverse charge.MTD for plumbers and electriciansDeposits, van stock, scheme fees and card payments.MTD for taxi and delivery driversSeveral apps, platform reports and car costs.MTD for hair and beautyRent-a-chair, tips, products and mobile work.MTD for cleaners and carersMany small clients and travel between them.

Sources

Written by the Compare Advantage team, Chorley. Facts checked against GOV.UK on 3 November 2026.

Compare Advantage is an introduction service. We are not an accountancy firm and do not give tax advice. We will contact you to introduce a local accountant who handles Making Tax Digital, and we tell you which firm before we pass on your details. Firms may pay us for the introduction. Guidance on this page is general and based on the GOV.UK sources linked on each page.