Every MTD deadline: 2026, 2027 and 2028
One page with every Making Tax Digital for Income Tax date — who joins when, when each quarterly update is due, and a live countdown to the next one.
Until the next MTD quarterly update deadline
When MTD becomes mandatory for you
| Gross income (turnover) | MTD mandatory from | First quarterly update due | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000+ | 6 April 2026 — already in force | 7 August 2026 | 2024/25 tax return |
| £30,000 – £50,000 | 6 April 2027 | 7 August 2027 | 2025/26 tax return |
| £20,000 – £30,000 | 6 April 2028 | 7 August 2028 | 2026/27 tax return |
| Under £20,000 | No start date announced yet | ||
Thresholds are gross income (turnover before expenses) from self-employment and property combined. HMRC decides using the tax return shown in the last column — so your 2024/25 return, filed by 31 January 2026, determined whether you were in the first wave.
Quarterly update deadlines (every year)
| Quarter (standard) | Update due by |
|---|---|
| 6 April – 5 July | 7 August |
| 6 July – 5 October | 7 November |
| 6 October – 5 January | 7 February |
| 6 January – 5 April | 7 May |
You can choose calendar quarters (1 April – 30 June and so on) in your software. The deadlines stay the same — 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, 7 May — so you get about five extra days after each quarter ends.
More detail — including what is actually in an update — on the quarterly deadlines page.
The yearly wrap-up: final declaration
The four updates are running totals, not returns. After the tax year ends you submit a final declaration by 31 January — that is where other income, reliefs and adjustments go, and where your tax bill is confirmed. The first one under MTD (for 2026/27) is due 31 January 2028.
Miss a deadline?
Late updates collect penalty points; four points is a £200 fine. See how MTD penalties work and what to do if you've already missed one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MTD threshold for 2026?
Over £50,000 gross qualifying income (self-employment plus property turnover, before expenses) on your 2024/25 tax return. If that is you, MTD has applied since 6 April 2026 and your first quarterly update is due 7 August 2026.
What is the MTD threshold for 2027?
Over £30,000 gross qualifying income, measured on your 2025/26 tax return. MTD becomes mandatory for this group on 6 April 2027, with the first quarterly update due 7 August 2027.
What is the MTD threshold for 2028?
Over £20,000 gross qualifying income, measured on your 2026/27 tax return. MTD starts for this group on 6 April 2028.
When is the first MTD quarterly deadline?
7 August 2026 — covering the quarter 6 April to 5 July 2026. It applies to everyone mandated from April 2026 (£50,000+ income).
Do the tax payment deadlines change under MTD?
No. You still pay by 31 January (and 31 July for payments on account). MTD changes how and how often you report, not when you pay.
Get NippyTax when it launches
We are building the simplest possible way to do MTD quarterly updates — no accounting suite, no jargon. Join the waitlist and be first in when it launches.