MTD for Income Tax is now live

Making Tax Digital,
without the headache.

From 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. We handle the software, the submissions and every deadline, so you can get back to running your business.

verified HMRC-recognised software
groups Local Bristol & Weston experts
schedule 20+ years experience
notifications_active Deadline alert: The next quarterly MTD submission is due 7 August. Don't get caught out.
Who is affected

MTD for Income Tax is rolling out in three stages

If your gross income from self-employment or property exceeds the threshold, you must keep digital records and file quarterly with HMRC.

Live now
From 6 April 2026
£50k Gross income threshold

Self-employed individuals and landlords with combined gross income above £50,000 must already comply.

Next stage
From 6 April 2027
£30k Gross income threshold

Threshold drops to £30,000. Plan now to avoid a last-minute rush onto compatible software.

Stage three
From 6 April 2028
£20k Gross income threshold

Threshold drops again to £20,000, capturing the majority of UK sole traders and landlords.

What MTD actually means

Four things you'll need to do every year

Annual Self-Assessment is being replaced. Here's what's coming through your letterbox.

01

Digital records

Every transaction recorded in HMRC-recognised software, kept up to date and ready to file.

02

Quarterly updates

Four submissions a year of your income and expenses - we file every one direct to HMRC for you.

03

Final declaration

One annual declaration replacing your old Self-Assessment return, due 31 January.

04

Approved software

You must use HMRC-approved software with digital links: Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and more.

Your new calendar

Four MTD deadlines a year, diarised for you

Every Phinch client gets reminders, prepared submissions and a same-team contact.

Q1 · Period 1
7 August
Covers 6 Apr – 5 Jul
Q2 · Period 2
7 November
Covers 6 Jul – 5 Oct
Q3 · Period 3
7 February
Covers 6 Oct – 5 Jan
Q4 · Period 4
7 May
Covers 6 Jan – 5 Apr
How Phinch helps

End-to-end MTD compliance, handled for you

From software setup to your annual declaration, plus every quarterly update in between, we run it all.

Software setup

You choose the software you're happiest with (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or Sage) and we work to it - set up, configured and your existing records migrated.

Quarterly submissions

We prepare and file every one of your four quarterly updates, properly categorised, properly reconciled, properly on time.

Digital record-keeping

We keep your digital records reconciled, categorised and properly linked, so you stay compliant without lifting a finger.

Annual declaration

Your full final declaration prepared, reviewed and submitted, replacing the old Self-Assessment return entirely.

Tax planning

We don't just file. We advise. Year-round guidance on salary/dividends, allowable expenses and reliefs to keep your tax bill efficient.

Direct contact, year-round

No clock-watching, no call centres. The same Phinch team takes your call from set-up through every quarterly submission.

Why Phinch

Down-to-earth, practical, properly local

Founded in 2016 in Weston-super-Mare. Today we look after individuals and businesses across Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester and beyond.

20+

Years' experience

Trusted with personal & business tax

100%

Fixed-fee pricing

No hourly clock, no surprise bills

364

Days a year on hand

Here all year - we only close Christmas Day

★★★★★

Five-star reviews

From clients across the South West

What our clients say

Real words from real Phinch clients

★★★★★

Phinch is a fantastic company. Especially David Parmenter and Sebastian Hassan-Ally who are responsive, proactive and very good at what they do. I am very pleased I engaged this team.

Mike Herford
Phinch client
★★★★★

Just incredible. So responsive, detailed but without losing you with technical jargon and really answered my questions. Will recommend time and time again! Simply the best!

Rahul Moodgal
Phinch client
★★★★★

Highly professional and approachable, always at the end of the phone if we've had any questions. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

The Pear Orchard Grill
Phinch client
Book your free MTD review

Tell us about your situation. We'll plot the path to compliance.

Pop your details in the form and a member of our team will be in touch within one working day. No obligation, no jargon. Just a clear plan to get you MTD ready.

  • check 30-minute discovery call with a qualified adviser
  • check Fixed-fee quote, no hidden extras
  • check All four quarterly submissions handled for you
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Common questions

MTD for Income Tax: FAQs

MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA) went live on 6 April 2026 for self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
MTD looks at your gross income before expenses from self-employment and property, UK or overseas. Employment (PAYE) income, dividends and savings interest do not count. If you've got a £42,000 trade and £10,000 in rental income, you're already over the £50,000 threshold.
Yes. The MTD obligation sits with you, not your letting agent. Even if rent is collected and managed by an agent, you're still legally responsible for digital records and quarterly submissions if your gross property and self-employment income exceeds the threshold.
Only with HMRC-approved bridging software that creates a digital link from your spreadsheet straight to HMRC. Manual copy-paste isn't allowed. In practice, full MTD-recognised cloud accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage) is far simpler, and we'll set it up for you.
You earn a penalty point. Hit four points (the threshold for quarterly filers) and HMRC issues a £200 fine, plus another £200 for every subsequent missed submission. Late tax payments are charged interest separately. Phinch clients don't miss deadlines, because we file on your behalf.
Possibly. Exemptions apply if your income is below the relevant threshold, if you're "digitally excluded" (HMRC accepts you can't reasonably use software), or in certain religious or insolvency situations. If you think you might qualify, we'll review your circumstances during the free consultation.
We work on a transparent fixed-fee basis. The price reflects the complexity of your affairs (sole trade vs landlord vs both, number of properties, transaction volume etc.). Bundle MTD with Self-Assessment, payroll or VAT and we package it into one preferential monthly fee. Book a free review and we'll give you a concrete number.
Ready when you are

Stop worrying about MTD. Start running your business.

One free 30-minute call. We'll review your situation, recommend the right software and quote you a fixed monthly fee. No pressure, no jargon.