Is 50,000 profit or turnover?

Turnover: gross income before any expenses, with self-employment and property added together. A landlord-freelancer with 30,000 of each crossed the 2026 line even though neither activity alone did.

What actually changes when MTD catches me?

Digital records in recognised software, four quarterly updates a year and a final declaration, replacing the single Self Assessment return. The amounts and payment dates stay the same.

I am just over the line. Can I ignore the first year?

No; HMRC notifies you based on your last return and the obligation is automatic. Penalties for missed quarterly updates are points-based, so the cheap move is picking software early and starting the bookkeeping habit before your April.

United Kingdom

Making Tax Digital date checker

Since April 2026, sole traders and landlords are being moved onto quarterly digital reporting in waves, by gross income, not profit. Enter yours and get the April that catches you.

Your income

Gross annual income

Turnover before expenses: self-employment plus property, combined.

Your start date

Quarterly reporting from6 April 2027

Over £50,000: 6 April 2026
Over £30,000: 6 April 2027
Over £20,000: 6 April 2028

Estimate

workingfigures.com/uk/mtd-checker

How the test works

The threshold looks at GROSS income (turnover, not profit) from self-employment and property combined, as reported on the last filed return. Over 50,000 → April 2026; over 30,000 → April 2027; over 20,000 → April 2028.

Assumptions

Sole traders and landlords. Partnerships and companies follow later under separate plans. Once in, you keep digital records and send quarterly updates through recognised software, plus a final declaration; the tax itself does not change.

Waves verified 2026-08-21 (gov.uk)

FAQ

Is 50,000 profit or turnover?: Turnover: gross income before any expenses, with self-employment and property added together. A landlord-freelancer with 30,000 of each crossed the 2026 line even though neither activity alone did.
What actually changes when MTD catches me?: Digital records in recognised software, four quarterly updates a year and a final declaration, replacing the single Self Assessment return. The amounts and payment dates stay the same.
I am just over the line. Can I ignore the first year?: No; HMRC notifies you based on your last return and the obligation is automatic. Penalties for missed quarterly updates are points-based, so the cheap move is picking software early and starting the bookkeeping habit before your April.