Questions, answered plainly

It depends on your gross income — the total before any expenses — from rental property and self-employment combined.

If that total was over £50,000 in the 2024/25 tax year, MTD applies to you from 6 April 2026. If it was over £30,000 (up to £50,000), you join from 6 April 2027. Over £20,000 (up to £30,000), from 6 April 2028. At £20,000 or under, you are not currently scheduled to join, though thresholds may change.

The quickest way to find out is our free checker — it takes about a minute and tells you your exact start date.

Only your share of the rent counts towards your threshold. If you own a property 50/50 and it brings in £30,000 a year, £15,000 counts for you and £15,000 for your spouse.

Each of you is tested separately. If you are both over the threshold, you are both mandated, and each of you files your own quarterly updates. Our Custom plan covers jointly owned property — both owners' filings from one set of shared records, so you don't need two separate subscriptions. Contact us for a quote.

Yes. Non-resident individual landlords with UK property income are in scope, at the same thresholds as everyone else. Living abroad does not exempt you.

One timing nuance: HMRC has confirmed that anyone who filed the non-residence pages (SA109) with their 2024/25 tax return is automatically exempt until April 2027 — so most non-resident landlords join a year after UK residents with the same income. It is a deferral, not an opt-out: the thresholds are unchanged, and getting your records in order now makes the switch painless.

This is exactly the situation our service is built for. Everything is remote: you forward statements by email, we keep the records and file to HMRC, wherever in the world you are. No UK visits, no posting paperwork.

Yes. MTD applies to you at the same thresholds — it covers self-employment income as well as property income.

We file for sole traders too: plans start at £59/month (up to 50 transactions a month), with a higher-volume plan for established businesses. Run the checker to get your exact start date, then enquire on the pricing page.

A quarterly update is a summary of your income and expenses for a three-month period, sent digitally to HMRC. The standard quarters run 6 April–5 July, 6 July–5 October, 6 October–5 January and 6 January–5 April, due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.

It is not a tax return and there is no tax to pay with it — think of it as keeping HMRC up to date through the year. After the four updates, a final declaration (due 31 January after the tax year ends) confirms the full picture, replacing the old Self Assessment return.

No. Payment dates are unchanged: 31 January and 31 July, exactly as now.

The quarterly updates change how you report, not when you pay. Nothing about your payment schedule moves.

HMRC uses a points-based penalty system: late filings collect points, and enough points triggers a fine.

For the first year (2026/27) there is a soft landing — no penalty points for late quarterly updates. But all four updates must still be filed before your final declaration can go in, and penalties for a late final declaration or late payment apply in full.

If you are with us, deadlines are our job. We file every update on time — that is the deadline guarantee in every plan.

Very little. Forward your bank statements by email each month, and snap a photo of any paper receipts on your phone.

We do the rest: categorise every transaction, keep the digital records HMRC requires, file each quarterly update and your final declaration, and send you a plain-English summary each quarter so you always know where you stand.

No. Everything on this site is general guidance, and our service is record-keeping and filing — we prepare and submit your MTD updates from the information you give us.

If your affairs need judgement calls — complex reliefs, capital gains planning, residency questions — you should speak to a qualified tax adviser. We are happy to work alongside one.

Yes, any time — plans are monthly and there is no lock-in. If you cancel, we hand over your digital records in full so you (or your next accountant) can carry straight on.

If you have prepaid for the year and change your mind, we refund the unused full months.

No. MTD for Income Tax applies to individuals — landlords and sole traders. Limited companies pay corporation tax and carry on exactly as now.

One nuance: if you also have property or trading income in your own name, outside the company, that personal income can still be in scope. The checker covers this case.