Am I affected by Making Tax Digital?
Answer three questions and we will tell you whether MTD for Income Tax applies to you, from which April, and what you need to do next. It takes about two minutes and we do not ask for your email to show you the result.
How this works
Your qualifying income is your gross self-employment turnover plus your gross property income, added together, before any expenses are deducted. HMRC compares that figure against the threshold for each phase:
| From | Qualifying income above | Based on your return for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | £50,000 | 2024/25 |
| 6 April 2027 | £30,000 | 2025/26 |
| 6 April 2028 | £20,000 | 2026/27 |
The most common mistake is using profit instead of turnover. A landlord with £34,000 of rent and £26,000 of mortgage interest and costs has £8,000 of profit but £34,000 of qualifying income, and is in from April 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as qualifying income for Making Tax Digital?
Gross self-employment turnover plus gross property income, added together, before deducting any expenses, mortgage interest or capital allowances. Employment income, dividends, savings interest and pensions do not count towards the threshold.
Which tax year does HMRC look at to decide my start date?
HMRC uses a lookback. Your April 2026 start was based on your 2024/25 return, April 2027 is based on your 2025/26 return, and April 2028 on your 2026/27 return.
What if my income goes down after I join MTD?
You generally stay in. You can only leave if your qualifying income falls below the threshold for three consecutive tax years.
Does this checker give me a definitive answer?
It gives you a reliable indication based on the figures you enter. Edge cases, jointly owned property, multiple businesses, partnerships, income that moved between years, can change the answer. A fifteen-minute call with us will confirm it properly.