How to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

1. Confirm which service and year you need

This is registration for MTD for Income Tax, for sole traders and landlords. Use the start-date checker and check exemptions before enrolling. If you must use it in 2026 to 2027, HMRC says to sign up now. Voluntary entry has its own conditions; do not treat it as a consequence-free software trial.

Basis: Find out if and when you need MTD · Sign up for MTD for Income Tax

2. Choose software before registering

Check support for your income sources, update periods and full annual return. If using multiple products, confirm how they work together. Agree with your accountant who will register, maintain records and submit.

Compare software features or read the spreadsheet and bridging guide. MTD Scope does not collect your HMRC credentials or register you.

Basis: Choose the right software

3. Gather your business details

Prepare the intended start tax year and the start date of your business or property income if it began within the last two tax years. Sole traders also need the business name, address and trade. Check every self-employment source and property business in the service and add missing ones.

Basis: Sign up for MTD for Income Tax

4. Open the official sign-up service

Follow GOV.UK’s sign-up page to the service. Use your Self Assessment sign-in details. HMRC may ask for further identity checks; use its support route if you cannot complete them. Registration and identity checks take place on HMRC’s service.

Basis: Sign up for MTD for Income Tax

5. Check the account and prepare submissions

Confirm that MTD appears in your HMRC online account and check its income sources, obligations and due dates. Then follow your provider’s connection instructions. An authorisation screen is not proof that a quarterly update has been received.

Check a submission’s receipt separately and use the deadline calendar for the reporting periods.

Basis: Check MTD in your HMRC account · Using MTD for the first time

Already enrolled, or joining part-way through a year?

HMRC began enrolling people required for 2026 to 2027 who had not registered themselves from September 2026. Check what to do if that applies. Voluntary registration for the current year requires any missed quarterly updates for that year; confirm the year you are choosing before proceeding.

Basis: Sign up for MTD for Income Tax