Jointly owned property and Making Tax Digital
The single most common MTD question from couples: “our rent is over £50,000 — are we both caught?” The answer depends on one rule that surprisingly few people know.
Only your share counts — and each owner is tested separately
The MTD threshold is tested per person, not per property. If you own a property 50/50, half the gross rent counts towards your threshold and half towards your co-owner's. Each of you is then measured against the thresholds independently: over £50,000 mandated from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027, over £20,000 from April 2028.
Three worked examples
- £60,000 rent, owned 50/50, no other income. Each of you has £30,000 of qualifying income — neither is in the April 2026 wave, and you both join from April 2028 (the over-£20,000 wave). One property, two start dates later than you feared.
- £60,000 rent owned 50/50, but you also have £25,000 of self-employment turnover. Your qualifying income is £30,000 + £25,000 = £55,000 — you are mandated from April 2026. Your co-owner, with £30,000, joins in April 2028. Same property, completely different obligations.
- £120,000 rent across a 50/50 portfolio. £60,000 each — you are both in the first wave, and you each file your own quarterly updates: eight submissions a year between you, plus two final declarations.
Married couples: the 50/50 default
For married couples and civil partners, HMRC treats income from jointly held property as split 50/50 by default, regardless of who actually banks the rent — unless you have made a formal declaration (Form 17) reflecting a different beneficial ownership split. If your ownership isn't 50/50 and you haven't told HMRC, the default applies to your MTD position too. This is one of the genuine edge cases where advice from a qualified adviser is worth it.
If you're both mandated, you don't need two of everything
Both owners file their own updates, but the underlying records — the rent in, the repairs out — are shared. Our Custom plan covers jointly owned property: one set of shared digital records, both owners' quarterly updates and final declarations filed. Contact us for a quote or see all plans.
Work out your own position
The checker asks about joint ownership and uses only your share — run it once each and you'll both have your dates.
Do you receive your rental or business income through a limited company?
Takes about a minute. No jargon, no obligation.
This is general guidance, not tax advice — beneficial ownership and Form 17 declarations in particular deserve professional advice. More questions answered here.