Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – What You Need to KnowFrom April 2026, the biggest change to Self Assessment in over 25 years begins with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.
Rather than submitting one tax return each year, many self-employed individuals and landlords will need to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software.

At Jude Rose Accountancy, we’ll help our clients through the transition, but it’s useful to understand the key dates and your responsibilities.

​Who Will Be Affected?You will be required to join MTD if your qualifying income exceeds the relevant threshold.
Qualifying income is your gross (before expenses):

• Self-employment income
• UK property income
• Overseas property income

It does not include:

• Employment income (PAYE)
• Dividends
• Pension income
• Savings interest
• Capital gains

Implementation Timetable 

Who is affected

6 April 2026
Self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000

6 April 2027
Qualifying income over £30,000

6 April 2028
Qualifying income over £20,000

Quarterly Filing Deadlines
For clients joining from April 2026, the standard quarterly deadlines are:

Submission Deadline

Quarter 1
6 April – 5 July 2026
7 August 2026

Quarter 2
6 April – 5 October 2026
7 November 2026

Quarter 3
6 April – 5 January 2027
7 February 2027

Quarter 4
6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027
7 May 2027

Following the fourth quarterly update, an End of Period Statement (EOPS) and Final Declaration will also be required to finalise your tax position.

Your ResponsibilitiesUnder MTD you will need to:

• Keep digital accounting records.
• Use HMRC-compatible software.
• Submit quarterly updates on time.
• Review and correct information where necessary.
• Complete the annual End of Period Statement and Final Declaration.

How Jude Rose Accountancy Can HelpThe move to MTD doesn’t need to be daunting. We can help by:

• Identifying whether MTD applies to you.
• Recommending suitable accounting software.
• Setting up digital record keeping.
• Preparing and submitting your quarterly updates.
• Completing your annual tax submissions.
• Providing ongoing advice throughout the year—not just at tax return time.

Planning AheadAlthough the first mandatory submissions begin in August 2026, now is the ideal time to review your current record-keeping.
If you’re unsure whether you’ll be affected, or would like to prepare before the new rules take effect, we’d be delighted to help.

Need advice?

Contact Jude Rose Accountancy today for a friendly, no-obligation discussion about how Making Tax Digital may affect you and your business.

Small Companies: Will You Still Hide Your Profit & Loss Account?From April 2028, small companies and micro-entities will be required to file a profit and loss account with Companies House as part of the reforms introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
The government has now confirmed that, although profit and loss accounts will need to be filed, smaller companies will be able to opt out of having those accounts published on the public register.
This raises an interesting question for business owners:
If an opt-out is available, will you still choose to keep your profit and loss account private?
Many small companies have historically valued the ability to file abbreviated information, limiting what competitors, customers, suppliers and employees can see about their financial performance.
Others may decide that transparency helps build trust with stakeholders and demonstrates financial strength.
The reforms will not take effect until 1 April 2028, giving companies more than 21 months to prepare from the start of the first affected accounting period.
Key changes include:
• Small companies and micro-entities will be required to file a profit and loss account with Companies House.
• All companies will need to file accounts using commercial software.
• Smaller technical changes to the accounts filing regime.
• An opt-out will be available to prevent publication of the profit and loss account, although full details are yet to be announced.
The real question is whether businesses will embrace greater transparency or continue to keep their profitability out of the public eye.
What would your company do?