by Asim Abbas
11 November 2026 
MTD quarterly updates: what to send, when and how
MTD quarterly updates: what to send, when and how
If you joined Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in April 2026, you’re now sending quarterly updates to HMRC from compatible software.
- Updates due 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, 7 May
- Each update is a cumulative summary of income and expenses
- No tax is paid with quarterly updates
- A tax return is still due by 31 January
Quarterly updates are simpler than many people fear. They’re summaries of income and expenses, not mini tax returns, and no tax is paid with them.
This guide explains the deadlines, what goes into an update and how the year-end process works.
Quarterly deadlines
| Quarter | Period | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 April to 5 July | 7 August |
| 2 | 6 April to 5 October | 7 November |
| 3 | 6 April to 5 January | 7 February |
| 4 | 6 April to 5 April | 7 May |
You can elect to use calendar quarters ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March instead. The deadlines stay the same.
What goes in an update
- Your income for each self-employment and property business
- Expenses grouped into HMRC’s standard categories
- Turnover under £90,000 can send just total expenses
- Updates are cumulative, so corrections flow into the next one
Each business is updated separately. A landlord who also freelances sends two updates each quarter.
Self Assessment tax calculator
Estimate your annual bill.
Digital records
You must keep a digital record of each transaction, either in MTD software or a spreadsheet linked through bridging software. Bank feeds, receipt apps and categorisation rules make this much quicker. Records don’t need individual receipts scanned, but you must keep them.
Sam, a plumber with £62,000 turnover, joined MTD in April 2026. His software pulls in bank transactions and he categorises them weekly. On 7 August 2026, he submitted Q1 showing £15,400 income and £4,200 expenses. HMRC’s app then showed an estimate of his tax for the year so far.
Fixed-fee accountancy support
Transparent monthly packages for sole traders, landlords and limited companies. Fixed fees agreed upfront, VAT included.
Get a fixed-fee quoteCall 0161 531 4179The end of the year
After the fourth quarter, you finalise your figures, add accounting adjustments, other income such as employment or savings, and reliefs, then submit your tax return through MTD software by 31 January. For 2026/27, that’s 31 January 2028. You pay tax on the same dates as now.
Penalties
Late updates earn points under the points-based system, with a £200 penalty at four points. HMRC has said it won’t issue points for late quarterly updates in 2026/27 for people joining in April 2026, but returns and payments still need to be on time. See our guide to penalty points.
Practical tips
- Use a separate business bank account
- Categorise transactions weekly, not quarterly
- Diary all four deadlines
- Let an agent submit updates for you
Read HMRC’s guidance on using MTD for Income Tax. Our MTD packages start at £25 a month for Essentials, including VAT.
What should I do next?
Or bridging for spreadsheets.
Saves hours.
7th of Aug, Nov, Feb, May.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are MTD quarterly updates due?
7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.
Do I pay tax with quarterly updates?
No. Payment dates are the same as Self Assessment.
Do I still file a tax return under MTD?
Yes, through MTD software by 31 January.
Can I use a spreadsheet for MTD?
Yes, with bridging software to submit updates.
Will I get a penalty for a late update?
Late updates earn points, but HMRC won’t issue points for 2026/27 updates for April 2026 joiners.
Need help with this? Wingate Accountants offers fixed-fee online accountancy support across the UK. Call 0161 531 4179 or request a quote at wingateaccountants.co.uk.
About the Author
Asim Abbas
I’m Asim Abbas, founder of Wingate Accountants and a Chartered Certified Accountant. I help sole traders, landlords and directors stay on top of their tax with fixed fees and plain-English advice.
