About MTD Ready

MTD Ready exists because the three questions every sole trader and landlord asks about Making Tax Digital — does it apply to me, what are my dates, and what happens if I am late? — were never answered together in one fast, free tool. So we built one: a checker, a personal deadline calendar and a penalty estimator on a single page.

How we source our figures

Every threshold, start date, deadline and penalty rule on this site comes from GOV.UK / HMRC guidance — the only authority on Making Tax Digital. Nothing is copied from other calculator sites, and where third-party sites disagree with GOV.UK, GOV.UK wins. All sources below were checked on 30 Oct 2026.

• GOV.UK — Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

  Mandation waves and thresholds: over £50,000 in 2024/25 → from 6 April 2026; over £30,000 in 2025/26 → from 6 April 2027; over £20,000 in 2026/27 → from 6 April 2028.

  Checked 30 Oct 2026

• GOV.UK — Work out your qualifying income for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

  Qualifying income is total self-employment + property income before expenses (turnover). PAYE, partnership profit share, dividends and pensions do not count. GOV.UK worked example: £25,000 rent + £27,000 self-employment = £52,000.

  Checked 30 Oct 2026

• GOV.UK — Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Send quarterly updates

  Standard update periods and deadlines: to 5 July → 7 August; to 5 October → 7 November; to 5 January → 7 February; to 5 April → 7 May. Each update is cumulative from 6 April. Calendar periods (1 April–31 March) share the same deadlines.

  Checked 30 Oct 2026

• GOV.UK — Penalties for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

  Points-based late submission: 1 point per missed deadline, threshold 4 points, £200 at the threshold and £200 per further missed deadline. One point per deadline maximum. No penalty points for late quarterly updates in 2026/27. Tax return and payment deadline: 31 January after the tax year ends.

  Checked 30 Oct 2026

• GOV.UK — Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

  You must be registered for Self Assessment and have submitted a tax return in the last 2 years to sign up. Qualifying income is the amount before expenses, based on the tax return submitted in the previous year.

  Checked 30 Oct 2026

Important limits

• This is a free information tool, not tax advice. Your exact position can depend on exemptions, ceased income sources, joint ownership shares and other details this checker does not ask about.
• HMRC tests your qualifying income against a specific earlier tax return (2024/25, 2025/26 or 2026/27 depending on the wave). Enter the income from the relevant year for the most accurate result.
• Not receiving a letter from HMRC does not mean you are out of scope — GOV.UK states it remains your responsibility to check.
• Always confirm your position with HMRC or a qualified accountant before acting.

MTD Ready is an independent tool and is not affiliated with HMRC or GOV.UK.