If you're self employed or a landlord in the UK, you've probably heard the term "Making Tax Digital" (MTD) floating around. From April 2026, it stops being background noise and becomes something you actually need to act on.

Here's a plain English breakdown of what's changing and what it means for you.

Who Does This Apply To?

From 6 April 2026, if you're self-employed or renting out property (or both) and your combined income from these sources is over £50,000, you're now required to use MTD for Income Tax.

Don't fall under that threshold yet? It's worth keeping an eye on the calendar -  from April 2027, the bar drops to £30,000, bringing more people into the system.

So What Actually Changes?

In short, three things:

1. Digital record keeping. You'll need to keep your income and expense records digitally, using HMRC recognised software - no more shoeboxes of receipts or a single annual spreadsheet update.

2. Quarterly updates. Instead of one big tax return at the end of the year, you'll send HMRC a summary of your income and expenses four times a year.

3. A final declaration. At year end, instead of the traditional Self Assessment return, you'll submit a final declaration to confirm your total tax position.

When Are the Deadlines?

If you're within MTD for the 2026/27 tax year, here's your calendar at a glance:

Date	What's Due
6 April 2026	Start keeping digital records
7 August 2026	1st quarterly update
7 November 2026	2nd quarterly update
7 February 2027	3rd quarterly update
7 May 2027	4th quarterly update
31 January 2028	Final declaration + payment of 2026/27 tax

 Does This Change When You Pay Your Tax Bill?

No, and this is the part that trips people up. MTD changes how and when you report, not when you pay. Your actual tax bill for 2026/27 is still due by 31 January 2028, just like under the old system.

One Thing to Watch: Don't Mix Up Your Tax Years

If you're still finishing up your 2025/26 Self Assessment return, that deadline hasn't moved  it's still 31 January 2027. MTD only kicks in for the tax year after that, so make sure you're not applying MTD rules to the wrong year's return.

The Bottom Line

MTD means more frequent reporting, but it doesn't mean more frequent tax bills. You'll need compatible software to handle the quarterly submissions, but your actual payment schedule stays roughly the same as before  - just with a lot more visibility for HMRC along the way.

If you're not sure whether you fall within the £50,000 threshold, or you want help getting set up with compliant software, now's a good time to check,  the first quarterly deadline (7 August 2026) comes round faster than you'd think.

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