Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA)

Worried about Making Tax Digital?

Don’t be. Honestly.  It’s really not as scary as it sounds. Yes, it’s new. Yes, there are rules. And yes, it can look like a jumble of yet-more income tax, self-assessment HMRC jargon to worry about.

But here’s the good news: we’ve got this, so you don’t have to worry about it at all!

You won’t need to wade through the jargon, or lose sleep over deadlines and changes: that’s our job. You can relax, make a cuppa, and leave the digital tax drama to us.

Take a deep breath. Here’s how easy it is to get MTD sorted:

Want more information?

We know lots of our clients like to have access to all the key information so you can make an informed decision – below we’ve summarised all the main points and dates you need to know about into plain English.

When you’ve had time to give it some thought, give us a call and schedule a meeting – we’ll explain everything as it relates to you and your circumstances and make sure ‘Making Tax Digital’ is one less thing you have to worry about.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment

From April 2026, the way many sole traders and landlords report income to HMRC is changing. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) means eligible taxpayers will need to keep digital records and send simple quarterly updates using MTD-compatible software.

It sounds bigger than it is – but with a bit of planning it quickly becomes a routine part of the year. And the best bit? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Who’s affected?

The change is being rolled out in stages:

  • From 6 April 2026, it applies to those with qualifying trading or property income over £50,000

  • From 6 April 2027, the threshold falls to £30,000

  • The government has also signalled further phased expansion in later years.

If your combined trading and property income is around these figures, now’s the perfect time to get organised and ahead of the curve.

What will you need to do

Don’t worry – this is where we come in. In short, you’ll need to:

  • Keep your business and property records digitally

  • Send quarterly reports to HMRC using MTD-compatible software

  • At the end of the year, complete your accounts and tax return much as you do now.

That means HMRC will receive five submissions a year instead of one – but with the right system in place, it’s far less scary than it sounds.

Practical next steps

To make the transition smooth, it helps to:

  • Review how you currently keep records (paper, spreadsheets, or cloud software)

  • Think about how you’d like to keep them going forward, and how hands-on (or hands-off!) you’d like to be.

How Denton Tavara can help

We will be working with local sole traders and landlords across Northamptonshire to make MTD for ITSA a pain-free change. We’ll chat through your needs, how involved you’d like to be, and then come up with a plan that fits.

That might mean:

  • Passing the whole thing to us for a fixed monthly fee (and waving goodbye to the headaches)

  • Getting set up with the right software so you can manage things yourself, with us on hand whenever you need support

  • Or choosing a hybrid approach somewhere in between.

And if you qualify for an exemption or have unusual circumstances? We’ll explain your options clearly and help with any applications or HMRC correspondence.

Let’s make it simple together

If MTD for ITSA feels overwhelming, don’t panic – we’ll make it straightforward. Book a free, no-obligation call with us. Bring your questions, and we’ll map out a clear, practical plan tailored to you.

Other ways we can help:

Want to know more? Get in touch with us now

Your Local Northants Accountants
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