Do I need MTD? Free checker and deadline calendar
Short answer
Add your self-employment turnover and your rent, before expenses. Over £50,000 in 2024 to 2025 means you start on 6 April 2026, over £30,000 in 2025 to 2026 on 6 April 2027, and over £20,000 in 2026 to 2027 on 6 April 2028.
Check your start date
Fill in the years you know. Enter turnover, not profit. Your figures stay in your browser: nothing is sent or stored.
Download your deadlines
A calendar file with two tax years of quarterly updates and tax returns, each with a reminder 14 days before. It works with Google, Apple and Outlook calendars.
Every date, by the year you start
The same deadlines apply if you use calendar update periods (1 April to 31 March). GOV.UK
| Deadline | Start April 2026 | Start April 2027 | Start April 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First update | 7 August 2026 | 7 August 2027 | 7 August 2028 |
| Second update | 7 November 2026 | 7 November 2027 | 7 November 2028 |
| Third update | 7 February 2027 | 7 February 2028 | 7 February 2029 |
| Fourth update | 7 May 2027 | 7 May 2028 | 7 May 2029 |
| Tax return for that year | 31 January 2028 | 31 January 2029 | 31 January 2030 |
HMRC gives no penalty points for late quarterly updates in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. Late tax returns still get points.
Four worked examples
The people are made up. The rules are HMRC's.
| Income in 2025 to 2026 | Qualifying income | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sole trader: £24,000 turnover, £15,000 expenses. Rent: £9,600 | £33,600 | In from 6 April 2027. Expenses do not reduce it, although the trading profit is only £9,000 |
| Employee on £40,000 PAYE. Rent: £12,000 | £12,000 | Not in on these figures. PAYE wages do not count |
| Half owner of a flat with £30,000 rent a year | £15,000 | Not in on these figures. Only your share counts |
| Director with £60,000 in dividends. Rent: £8,000 | £8,000 | Not in on these figures. Dividends do not count |
If you only receive your share of joint rent after expenses, HMRC uses that net figure.
What this checker leaves out
- Exemptions. At £20,000 or less you are exempt automatically. Other exemptions are on the exemptions page.
- Rarer income types. Foreign property counts if you were UK tax resident. Your share of partnership profit as a partner does not count. What counts as qualifying income has the full list.
- Falling income. HMRC checks each year. Ask your adviser or HMRC if your income drops after you have joined.
What to do next
- Read the MTD guide for who is in and what you have to do.
- Use the software test to check a product against your own income sources.
- Check HMRC's software finder.
Octobooks is not on HMRC's list of compatible software yet. Until it is listed, send your updates and your return through a product that is on the list.