The changes will impact those with an income of more than £50,000 (previously £10,000) and those with an income of £30,000-£50,000 are going to have to become compliant from April 2027.
The government has also announced a review into the needs of smaller businesses, and particularly those under the £30,000 income threshold. The review will consider how MTD for ITSA can be shaped to meet the needs of these smaller businesses and the best way for them to fulfil their Income Tax obligations. It will also inform the approach for any further roll out of MTD for ITSA after April 2027.
1. Find out if MTD ITSA affects your business: Do you have a taxable income of Over £50,000? If yes you will be required to register and use software compatible for the MTD process.
2. Get access to MTD compatible software: Your accountant will be able to help you with this and there are multiple available on the market currently such as QuickBooks, Sage, Xero and Freeagent.
3. Practice your bookkeeping: This is really important as your bookkeeping will be what enables you to submit correct information for each of the MTD ITSA quarters. If you aren’t comfortable doing this get your accountant to do it for you.
4. Once MTD is implemented: Prepare for your quarterly submissions.
Standard quarterly periods and deadlines are:
| Quarterly period | Quarterly deadline |
| 6 April to 5 July | 05-Aug |
| 6 July to 5 October | 05-Nov |
| 6 October to 5 January | 05-Feb |
| 6 January to 5 April | 05-May |
5. Prepare your end of year statement: at the end of the tax year you will need to finalise your business income. This is when you will make any accounting adjustments, claim any tax relief and confirm the information you have collated and sent is correct. Once submitted you’ll then see the tax calculation on the software and your HMRC account. The deadline for submitting tax still stands at 31st January so you’ll be awarded a late penalty if not done by this time as normal ruling states.
