MTD for Income Tax: Key Dates & Deadlines
A complete timeline of when Making Tax Digital for Income Tax takes effect and the quarterly submission deadlines you need to know.
MTD Rollout Dates
| Date | Who is affected | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | Self-employed & landlords with gross income over £50,000 | Mandatory — starts in days |
| 6 April 2027 | Self-employed & landlords with gross income over £30,000 | Confirmed |
| 6 April 2028 | Self-employed & landlords with gross income over £20,000 | Confirmed |
| TBC | Self-employed & landlords with gross income below £20,000 | Not yet announced |
Quarterly Update Deadlines — 2026/27 Tax Year
For the first year of MTD (tax year 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027), these are the quarterly update deadlines. Each update covers income and expenses for the preceding quarter.
| Quarter | Period covered | Submission deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 April – 5 July 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| Q2 | 6 July – 5 October 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| Q3 | 6 October 2026 – 5 January 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| Q4 | 6 January – 5 April 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
Note: HMRC allows one month and two days after the quarter end to submit each update. If the deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the deadline moves to the next working day.
Annual Deadlines — 2026/27 Tax Year
| Deadline | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 5 April 2027 | Tax year ends | End of the 2026/27 tax year |
| 31 January 2028 | End of Period Statement (EOPS) | Finalise your business income and expenses for each source of self-employment or property income |
| 31 January 2028 | Final Declaration | Replaces the Self Assessment tax return for MTD users. Confirms total income, claims reliefs, and calculates final tax liability. Tax payment also due. |
Timeline at a Glance
6 April 2026
MTD goes live for income >£50K
7 August 2026
Q1 quarterly update deadline
7 November 2026
Q2 quarterly update deadline
7 February 2027
Q3 quarterly update deadline
6 April 2027
MTD extends to income >£30K
7 May 2027
Q4 quarterly update deadline
31 January 2028
EOPS + Final Declaration + tax payment due
6 April 2028
MTD extends to income >£20K
Late Submission Penalties
Points-based system: You receive 1 penalty point per late quarterly update. At 4 points, you receive a £200 penalty — and £200 for every subsequent late submission until you reset your points.
To reset: you must submit all updates on time for 12 consecutive months. Late payment penalties also apply separately — starting at 2% of outstanding tax after 15 days, increasing to 4% after 30 days. Interest is also charged on late payments from the due date. HMRC has confirmed that the first year of MTD will have a lighter-touch approach to penalties, giving taxpayers time to adjust to the new system.
Understanding the quarterly update process
Each quarterly update is a summary of your business income and expenses for that quarter. You do not need to submit individual invoices or receipts — your MTD-compatible software will compile the totals and submit them to HMRC via their API. The quarterly updates give HMRC a running picture of your income throughout the year, rather than waiting until January for your annual return.
The quarterly periods follow the tax year, not the calendar year. The first quarter runs from 6 April to 5 July, the second from 6 July to 5 October, and so on. You have one month and two days after each quarter ends to submit your update. If the deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, it moves to the next working day.
What you need to submit each quarter
Each quarterly update must include:
- Total income for the quarter — all sales, fees, rental income, and other business receipts
- Total expenses for the quarter — categorised by type (e.g. office costs, travel, stock, professional fees)
- Any adjustments — such as private use adjustments for items used partly for business and partly for personal use
If you have multiple sources of self-employment or property income, you may need to submit separate quarterly updates for each source. Your MTD-compatible software will guide you through this process. Most cloud accounting tools (FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) automate the submission with a few clicks once your records are up to date.
End of Period Statement and Final Declaration
After the tax year ends on 5 April, you need to submit two further items:
- End of Period Statement (EOPS) — This finalises your business income and expenses for each self-employment or property source. It is your opportunity to make year-end adjustments, such as capital allowances, and confirm that your quarterly figures are accurate. Due by 31 January after the tax year ends.
- Final Declaration — This replaces the income tax sections of your Self Assessment return. It brings together all your income sources (including any PAYE employment, dividends, savings interest, and capital gains), applies personal allowances and reliefs, and calculates your final tax liability. Also due by 31 January. Your tax payment is due on the same date.
Use our self-employed tax calculator to estimate what your final tax liability might look like for 2026/27, and our tax calendar for a complete view of all UK tax deadlines.
Payments on account under MTD
MTD does not change the payment schedule for income tax. If you currently make payments on account (two advance payments towards next year's tax bill), you will continue to do so under MTD. The payment dates remain:
- 31 January — First payment on account (plus any balancing payment for the previous year)
- 31 July — Second payment on account
The quarterly updates under MTD are reporting obligations only — they do not change when or how much tax you pay. However, because HMRC will have more up-to-date income data, they may in the future adjust payments on account more accurately based on your quarterly figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the MTD quarterly update deadlines for 2026/27?
For the 2026/27 tax year, the quarterly update deadlines are: Q1 by 7 August 2026, Q2 by 7 November 2026, Q3 by 7 February 2027, and Q4 by 7 May 2027. Each deadline is one month and two days after the quarter ends.
When is the MTD Final Declaration due?
The Final Declaration for the 2026/27 tax year is due by 31 January 2028. This replaces the income tax sections of your Self Assessment return. Your End of Period Statement (EOPS) is also due by this date.
What happens if I miss an MTD quarterly deadline?
You receive one penalty point for each late quarterly update. Once you accumulate 4 points (the threshold for quarterly obligations), you receive a £200 penalty. Every subsequent late submission also incurs £200 until you reset your points by meeting all deadlines for 12 consecutive months.
Can I change my MTD quarterly reporting dates?
The standard quarterly periods follow the tax year quarters (April-July, July-October, October-January, January-April). However, HMRC may allow calendar quarter reporting in some cases. Check with your MTD-compatible software provider and HMRC for the options available to you.
When does MTD extend to those earning over £30,000 and £20,000?
MTD extends to self-employed individuals and landlords with income over £30,000 from 6 April 2027, and to those with income over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Both dates have been confirmed by HMRC.
Do I still need to pay tax by 31 January under MTD?
Yes. MTD does not change when your tax is due. You still need to pay your income tax by 31 January after the tax year ends (and make payments on account by 31 January and 31 July if applicable). MTD changes how and when you report your income, not when you pay.
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