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In this article, we have collated useful articles, free downloadables, and additional resources on Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Landlords.
Written by
Ben Luxon
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 11, 2024
We have collated useful articles and free resources on Making Tax Digital for Landlords.
Making Tax Digital is a shake-up of the UK taxation system. This will impact all landlords when it is rolled out. In this section, you’ll find our popular Making Tax Digital report which will help you get up to speed on the changes to come.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is part of the UK government’s effort to modernise the tax system, aiming to make it more efficient and easier to get your tax right. Under MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), landlords will soon be required to switch from traditional annual tax returns to submitting quarterly digital updates to HMRC.
Starting in April 2026, landlords with an annual income of over £50,000 will need to comply, followed by those earning over £30,000 from April 2027. This shift may feel like a big change, particularly for landlords not used to digital tax reporting, but preparing now can help ensure a smooth transition.
Learn more about MTD for Landlords and how you can get prepared here.
Part of being MTD ready is moving away from outdated software to new efficient solutions like Landlord Studio, so you can keep accurate digital records ready for MTD submissions.
Depending on the size of your rental business and whether you have or haven’t incorporated the deadline for being MTD ready varies.
Whether you employ an external or internal account, making sure you are both aware of your MTD for VAT obligations will help avoid any issues once you start reporting digitally.
Get MTD registered with the HMRC so that you can start submitting your VAT digitally by the
deadline. Head over the the Government Gateway website to register.
As part of the MTD change landlords and self-employed individuals will need to send quarterly updates to the HMRC along with a Final EoY Declaration. You have a month after the period end date to send your quarterly update, eg. for the first quarter, 6 April to 5 July, the filing date would be the 7 August.
These updates are cumulative over the tax year – so you can correct errors or make adjustments to previous submissions in your next update.
The HMRC has delayed the introduction of MTD until 2026, increased the income threshold, and will be introducing a phased implementation.
How HMRC is making it easier for individuals and businesses to get their tax right and keep on top of their tax affairs.
Testimonies from businesses on how Making Tax Digital and digital record keeping has worked for them.
Information for VAT businesses and other VAT entities on what they need to do to prepare for Making Tax Digital.
A series of videos exploring how Making Tax Digital works and why this new plan is being implemented.
You can see a list of all HMRC approved software here.
The new MTD rules are being phased in. Already, most VAT registered businesses need to be using MTD software.
Yes, we have plans to directly integrate with the HMRC''s system and will be HMRC approved before the 2026 deadline.
Digital records means you must keep records of all your transactions ina digital format.
The easiest solution is to adopt a cloud accounting software like Landlord Studio that allows you to track all your income and expenses on the go. This will also help ensure you can submit all your updates in a timely fashion, you will need to have systems in place to keep up to date books.
Keeping digital records is necessary so that the records can be sent to the HMRC either from the approved software you’re using or through a bridging software.
All businesses within MTD for ITSA will have to provide quarterly updates of their income and expenses. These quarterly updates will be cumulative and cover the following periods, with the respective deadlines, regardless of the accounting period end of the busines.
Alternatively, businesses can make a 'calendar quarter election,' which allows them to draw up quarterly updates to the end of the previous month. Where this election is made, the quarterly updates will be as follows.
The first quarterly updates under MTD for ITSA will therefore be due for filing by 7 August 2026 and will cover either the quarter ended 5 July 2026, or 30 June 2026 (where a calendar quarter election is in place).
Separate quarterly updates will be required for each trade or property business carried on by an individual. There is no requirement to make tax or accounting adjustments to the information provided in quarterly updates.
If you are currently using spreadsheets you can continue to use them. However, business records must be kept digitally to be compliant.
If you are using spreadsheets, the spreadsheets must be formatted to be able to submit the required data to HMRC digitally through third-party briding software.
Using a spreadsheet then is allowed however, the new rules will mean you’ll have to employ a bridging software anyway and it may be easier for you to find a landlord specific solution suitable for your needs and HMRC compliant.
Certain exemptions may be made for those taxpayers unable to use digital tools due to their religion, age, or disability.
HMRC will decide if you meet exemption criteria so check with them directly and don’t just assume you meet the criteria, you don’t want to end up with a penalty.
You can find out more about exemptions and apply for an MTD exemption here.
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Landlord Studio is an easy to use MTD compliant property management and accounting software designed for UK landlords.
Track income and expenses, run reports,, find and prescreen tenants, manage property maintenance, and more.
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