How to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

Written by the Quidtrail team · Facts last checked 18 October 2026

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The short answer: check that you need MTD, choose compatible software first, then sign up on GOV.UK using the same Government Gateway user ID and password you use for Self Assessment. To sign up you must be registered for Self Assessment and have submitted a tax return in the last 2 years. An agent can sign you up instead (GOV.UK; GOV.UK).

Do I have to sign up?

If you need MTD, yes. HMRC says you "should sign up now" if you need it for 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK). From September 2026, HMRC started signing up people it believes need MTD for 2026 to 2027 who hadn't signed up, based on qualifying income over £50,000 in 2024 to 2025 (GOV.UK step by step). If you join from April 2027, HMRC is urging you to sign up and prepare now (GOV.UK news, 5 October 2026).

HMRC's 5 steps

HMRC sets out these steps (GOV.UK step by step):

Step 1: Work out your qualifying income

This is your gross self-employment and property income before expenses. See MTD qualifying income or use our Do I need MTD? checker.

Step 2: Check if and when you need to start

Over £50,000: from 6 April 2026. Over £30,000: from 6 April 2027. Over £20,000: from 6 April 2028 (GOV.UK). Check exemptions too.

Step 3: Choose compatible software

HMRC doesn't provide software, and it says to choose your software before you sign up (GOV.UK). Use HMRC's software finder. See free MTD software, MTD software costs and spreadsheets and bridging.

Step 4: Sign up on GOV.UK

Use the sign-up service. Details below.

Step 5: Use MTD

Authorise your software, keep digital records, send quarterly updates and submit your tax return through the software (GOV.UK).

What you'll need to sign up

From HMRC's sign-up guidance (GOV.UK):

• your Government Gateway user ID and password (the ones from your Self Assessment registration)
• the start date of your business or property income, if it's within the last 2 tax years
• the tax year you'll start using MTD
• sole traders: business name (as on your invoices), business address and nature of trade
• details of every self-employment and property business. Check each one in the service and add any that are missing, including any that have ceased since your last return

You won't be asked about other income, such as salary or savings. You add those in your software before submitting your tax return.

Identity checks

You may be asked for more proof of identity, using an app on your phone to provide details of your passport or driving licence. If you have difficulties, contact HMRC (GOV.UK).

Signing up voluntarily

You can sign up before you have to, for the current or the next tax year. If you join part-way through a year, you'll need to send any missed quarterly updates for that year (GOV.UK). Volunteers don't get penalties for late quarterly updates, but late tax returns still get points. See MTD penalties.

If your income has stopped

If all your self-employment or property income has stopped since your last return, tell HMRC before the start of the next tax year. If you don't, you'll need to use MTD (GOV.UK).

After you sign up

You access MTD through your existing HMRC online account. Select "Making Tax Digital for Income Tax", or add it with "Add a tax to your account". There you can view a tax estimate, check deadlines, see what you owe, add or cease a business, and view penalty points (GOV.UK).

Important: you still submit a normal Self Assessment return for the tax year before you start MTD (GOV.UK).

If your accounting period runs 1 April to 31 March, choose calendar update periods in your software before your first quarterly update, because you can't change it afterwards (GOV.UK).

Related: MTD for Income Tax guide · MTD for landlords · MTD for sole traders · Quarterly deadlines

Last checked against GOV.UK on 18 October 2026. Not tax advice.