30 working days until Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax begins – what you should be doing now: from 6th April 2026, mandated taxpayers will have to comply with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rules. This means moving away from traditional annual Self Assessment reporting and adopting a fully digital system..
Published 24th February 2026
With just 30 working days to go, MTD for Landlords starts soon: what you should be doing now
MTD for Landlords starts soon: what you should be doing now
With just 30 working days remaining until Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax begins, landlords and self-employed individuals across the UK are entering the final stretch before one of the biggest changes to tax reporting in decades complete re-write of the tax system that reaches into the way we maintain accounts”.
If you have property income or self-employment income over £50,000, the way you report your tax to HMRC is about to change. Permanently.
With only 30 working days until Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax begins: what you should be doing now: What MTD means for Landlords, Why the next 30 days matter, Are you within scope? What you should be doing now, The bottom line.
What happens in 30 working days?
From 6th April 2026, mandated taxpayers will have to comply with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rules. This means moving away from traditional annual Self Assessment reporting and adopting a fully digital system.
Under MTD, you will need to:
- Keep digital records of income and expenses
- Use MTD-compatible software
- Submit quarterly updates to HMRC
- File an end of year return each tax year
While this may sound like more work, the aim is to create more accurate, real-time tax reporting and reduce errors caused by manual record keeping.
Why acting now matters
Thirty working days may sound like plenty of time, but as MTD is a complete re-write of the tax system that reaches deep into the way we maintain accounts in practice, implementation takes longer than many landlords expect.
Common delays include:
- Learning new systems
- Migrating existing records
- Connecting software to HMRC
- Adjusting bookkeeping habits
Leaving preparation until April risks unnecessary stress and potential compliance issues.
Who needs to prepare?
You will likely be affected if you:
- Are a landlord and/or self-employed with aggregate turnover (that’s gross income excluding expenses) exceeding £50,000
- Currently submit a Self Assessment tax return
Even if you already use spreadsheets or accounting software, these may not meet MTD’s digital link requirements without additional setup.
If you are close to the threshold, it is still sensible to prepare early.
Practical steps to take today
If you haven’t started preparing, focus on these key actions:
- Confirm whether MTD applies to you.
- Choose HMRC-recognised software.
- Begin keeping digital records immediately.
- Speak to your accountant or adviser.
- Register for MTD ahead of the deadline.
Taking action now spreads the workload and avoids a last-minute rush. The key point is that your records must be accurate and compliant from the start of the new tax year.
Final thoughts
With only 30 working days to go, Making Tax Digital is no longer a distant change, it’s imminent. Those who prepare early will transition smoothly. Those who delay may find themselves scrambling to meet new reporting requirements under pressure.
The countdown has begun, now is the time to make sure your systems, records, and processes are ready for the digital future of tax. If you are unsure whether you are ready, now is the right time to review your position and make sure everything is in place before 6th April.
Contact us today to discuss how we can take care of Making Tax Digital for you.
Need help with tax matters? Contact us now
With only 30 working days until Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax begins: what you should be doing now: What MTD means for Landlords, Why the next 30 days matter, Are you within scope? What you should be doing now, The bottom line.
The information contained in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publication. The content of this article is intended to be a brief summary of the principal points of the legislation or proposed legislation only, and it is provided for general guidance only. It may not take into account subsequent changes in the law and of necessity it omits much detail. Taxation is a complicated subject and is subject to change. You should only rely on advice prepared specifically for you. Neither the writer nor Landlords Tax Services Ltd can be held liable for any loss arising from any act or omission by you as a result of your understanding of this article. If the subject matter is of interest you should contact us to see if there is a relevant update, and to take professional advice which takes into account your circumstances.