Making Tax Digital – Dead Simple Has You Sorted

Let’s walk you through what Making Tax Digital means — whether it applies to you, what the deadlines are, and exactly what you need to do. And of course, we’ll be here to help every step of the way.

What is Making Tax Digital?

It’s the government’s plan to drag tax into the 21st century — by keeping digital records and using software to send your tax info to HMRC. No more paper records. No more hassle.

When Is It Happening?

April 2022

All VAT-registered businesses now have to follow MTD rules.

April 2026

MTD for Income Tax will apply to self employed individuals and landlords with income over £50,000

April 2027

MTD for Income Tax will apply to self employed individuals and landlords with income over £30,000

April 2028

MTD for Income Tax will apply to self employed individuals and landlords with income over £20,000

To follow the Making Tax Digital rules, you’ll need to keep digital records and file your tax info using HMRC-approved software.

But don’t stress — at Dead Simple Accounting, we’ve already tested the best options out there.

On our site, you’ll find our honest breakdowns of what’s best, from ease of use to pricing and features.

We’ll help you find the right fit — whether you’re a side hustler, landlord, or full-time self-employed

Choose Your MTD Support Plan

All packages include your self-assessment tax return

Most Popular

🌒

Crescent Moon

£25pm

Self-assessment tax return included
Setup on HMRC-recognised MTD Software
We file your quarterly MTD submissions on time, using the figures you provide
FreeAgent included (save £330 / year)
Best for: clients confident their bookkeeping is accurate without checks

Add to cart

🛰️ MOST POPULAR 🛰️

🌓

Half Moon

£55pm

Everything in Crescent Moon, plus:
Self-assessment tax return included
We review & correct your bookkeeping before filing to HMRC, so you stay fully compliant
Quarterly compliance checks built in
FreeAgent included (save £330 / year)
Best for: peace of mind with our MTD expert checks before filing

Add to cart

Most Popular

🌕

Full Moon

From £85pm

Everything in Half Moon, plus complete peace of mind:
Self-assessment tax return included
Full bookkeeping handled by us
Full bank reconciliation included
FreeAgent included (save £330 / year)
Best for: clients wanting a complete hands-on service from our team

Add to cart

What Software Should I Use?

	Preferred
Price	Free if you bank (or switch) with NatWest, RBS, or Mettle	£7p/m but likely have a discounted period	£10p/m but likely have a discounted period
Ease of Use	Excellent	Excellent	Pretty good
HMRC-recognised	✅	✅	✅
Invoices you can send a month	Unlimited	10, then you have to upgrade	Unlimited
Mobile app	Excellent	Excellent	Pretty good
Support	Excellent – in app chat, email, telephone	Good – see our review	Not good – see our review
Our verdict	🥇	🥈	🥉
Review	Read our Review	Read our Review	Read our Review

We’re tested FreeAgent, Xero & QuickBooks & with us as your accountant sidekick, you’re in very safe & capable hands.

We firmly believe FreeAgent is the best MTD accounting software out there, & better still, it’s Free

Download our Making Tax Digital Guide

We’ve collaborated with FreeAgent to put together this handy guide on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Download

What Are the MTD Deadlines?

Reporting Income & expenses for*

Deadline to submit to HMRC

Quarter 1

6th April to 5th July

7th August

Quarter 2

6th July to 5th Oct

7th November

Quarter 3

6th October to 5th Jan

7th February

Quarter 4

6th Jan to 5th April

7th May

*There’ll be an option to change it to 30 June, 30 September, 31 December & 31 March if that’s simpler for you

What Is the Self-Assessment Deadline?

This remains 31 January after the end of the tax year – so no change!

Making Tax Digital Guides

MTD Penalties: What Happens If You Miss a Deadline?

Be sure to head over to our Making Tax Digital hub, full of guides, software reviews, important dates and more. ⚠️ Whether you’re VAT … Read more

Making Tax Digital: The Jargon Buster (Dead Simple Edition)

Be sure to head over to our Making Tax Digital hub, full of guides, software reviews, important dates and more. Agent That’s us, baby … Read more

MTD for Income Tax: What Landlords Need to Know

Own a rental property or two? From 2026, HMRC wants you to go digital with your tax. Here’s what that really means – minus … Read more

MTD for Income Tax: 10 Myths Busted (No-Nonsense Edition)

There’s loads of confusion out there about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Let’s cut through it. Here’s what’s true, what’s rubbish – and … Read more

MTD for Income Tax: What It Actually Means for You

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (formerly MTD for ITSA – catchy name, right? 😅) is HMRC’s next big step in dragging tax into … Read more

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) has been floating around for a while now – and if you’re self-employed or a landlord, there’s a new version … Read more

Making Tax Digital FAQs

HMRC says it’s all about helping businesses get their tax right. The main reason they’re doing this? Too much tax gets lost each year because of simple mistakes and errors. Going digital should fix a lot of that.

Right now, every business that’s registered for VAT has to be MTD compliant. That’s already happening.

For Income Tax, it’s coming for self employed people and landlords based on their turnover:

From April 2028: if you make over £20,000
From April 2026: if you make over £50,000
From April 2027: if you make over £30,000

If you meet the requirements, then no, it’s mandatory. But there are some exemptions:

If you’re digitally excluded because of age, disability or living somewhere remote
Religious societies get an exemption
If you’re insolvent
If you’re registered as providing qualifying care (like foster carers)

When you’ve got the right software and process in place, MTD actually makes things easier:

You can see all your tax obligations clearly
Everything’s online in one place
You and your accountant can work together more easily
Planning and budgeting becomes much simpler

VAT businesses are already doing it. Any new VAT registrations automatically get signed up.

For Income Tax, the dates depend on your income:

April 2026 if your turnover is over £50,000
April 2027 if it’s over £30,000
April 2028 if it’s over £20,000

For Income Tax, you don’t have to wait until 2026. You can actually volunteer to start from April 2025 as part of HMRC’s testing phase. Just go to:

www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-up-your-business-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax

If you’re registering for VAT, you’ll automatically be signed up for MTD. Nothing extra needed.

You’ll need accounting software that can keep your records digitally and send quarterly updates directly to HMRC.

The good news? If you’re with Dead Simple Accounting, FreeAgent comes free with all our packages. That saves you £330 a year right there. We’ve tested all the main options and FreeAgent consistently comes out on top for being easy to use and HMRC approved.

No, HMRC won’t be giving out free software. They suggest talking to your accountant or bookkeeper about what works best for your business. You can check out HMRC’s website for a list of approved options, but honestly, with FreeAgent free through Dead Simple Accounting, you’re already sorted.

For now, yes. HMRC wants to bring in MTD for partnerships and limited companies eventually, but they haven’t announced when that’s happening yet.