Below is a clear summary of who is required to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) in the UK, and when the rules will apply, specifically for Sole Traders and Landlords.
Who Must Sign Up from 6 April 2026
You will be required to use MTD for Income Tax if all of the following apply:
- You are an individual registered for Self Assessment (i.e. you currently file an HMRC Self Assessment tax return).
- You receive income from self-employment as a sole trader and/or from property rental.
- Your qualifying income (total gross income before expenses) from self-employment and property combined exceeds £50,000 in a tax year.
Please note that qualifying income does not include PAYE salary, dividends, savings interest, or other investment income. Only self-employment and property rental income are counted for MTD purposes.
Phased Introduction of MTD for Income Tax
The MTD ITSA requirements will be introduced in stages:
- From 6 April 2026
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 must comply with MTD for Income Tax.
- From 6 April 2027
The threshold will reduce to qualifying income over £30,000.
- From around 6 April 2028 (subject to legislation)
The threshold is expected to reduce further to £20,000.
What You Must Do If You Are Required to Sign Up
If you meet the criteria, you will need to:
- Keep digital records using MTD-compatible software.
- Submit quarterly updates of income and expenses to HMRC.
- Submit a final end-of-year declaration through the digital system and pay any tax due.
Before You Can Sign Up
To enrol for MTD for Income Tax, you must:
- Be registered for Self Assessment.
- Have submitted at least one Self Assessment tax return within the last two years.
- If you use an accountant or tax agent, they can sign you up on your behalf.
Key Points to Remember
- The MTD rules are based on self-employment and property income only, not your total income.
- HMRC will not automatically enrol you — you must sign up before you are required to comply.
- You may choose to sign up voluntarily in advance, which can help you prepare for the new reporting requirements.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax