Insights for UK landlords & self-employed
Tax, MTD, property management and accounting articles to help you stay compliant and save time.
Short, timely articles on Making Tax Digital, property tax and landlord accounting.
The Archive
Results
34 blog found· Page 1 of 3

MTD for Transport and Logistics: What Delivery Drivers and Hauliers Need to Know
MTD replaces annual tax returns with digital records and quarterly reporting for self-employed drivers and hauliers. If your gross income crosses HMRC thresholds, you must comply or face a points-based penalty system. Set up MTD software early and keep records up to date to stay compliant and avoid fines.

MTD Soft Landing Period 2026 to 2027: What It Means and What You Still Must Do
The MTD soft landing for 2026 to 2027 only pauses penalty points for late quarterly updates. It does not remove the legal duty to file, protect late Final Declarations, or stop late payment penalties and interest from applying. Taxpayers should use this first year to build proper digital record keeping and reporting habits.

Excel and Making Tax Digital: A Complete Guide for UK Landlords
Excel can be used for Making Tax Digital, but only when paired with bridging software that creates a compliant digital link to HMRC. Manual processes like copy-paste or direct entry break MTD rules and can lead to non-compliance. As your property portfolio grows, relying solely on spreadsheets becomes inefficient and increases the risk of reporting errors.

Making Tax Digital for Farmers: The Complete Guide to MTD for Agriculture (2026)
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax applies to farmers from April 2026 if gross income exceeds £50,000. It replaces annual tax returns with quarterly updates and a final declaration using HMRC-compatible software. Farmers must maintain digital records, meet strict deadlines, and understand new penalty rules to stay compliant.

Making Tax Digital for Construction Workers: The CIS Subcontractor Guide 2026
MTD for Income Tax will fundamentally change how CIS subcontractors report tax from April 2026. Quarterly updates, digital records, and a final declaration will replace the traditional annual return. Understanding qualifying income, deadlines, and penalties is essential to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.

Allowable Expenses for Landlords: What You Can and Cannot Claim
Allowable expenses for landlords are the costs of running a residential letting business that HMRC permits as deductions from rental income, reducing the amount of profit on which tax is charged. To qualify, a cost must meet the wholly and exclusively test, meaning it must have been incurred purely for the purpose of the letting business.

MTD Quarterly Updates Explained: What Landlords Need to Submit and When
MTD for Income Tax becomes mandatory for landlords earning over £50,000 from April 2026, requiring quarterly updates. Landlords must submit income and expense totals digitally, with updates due every 3 months. No penalties for late updates in the first year, but compliance is required for the Final Declaration by January 31.

Do I Need MTD? The Gross Income vs Net Profit Confusion Explained
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is based on gross income, not profit, which is where many landlords get confused. This means HMRC looks at your income before expenses are deducted, not what you actually keep after costs. Understanding this difference is essential if you want to know whether MTD will apply to you from April 2026.

HMRC MTD Letter: What It Means and What To Do Next
Received an HMRC MTD letter? It’s not a penalty, but a notice that your tax reporting is changing from April 2026. Learn why you received it and what steps you need to take next. Understand your obligations before the deadline approaches.

Residential BTL: The Complete Guide to MTD for Landlords 2026
Making Tax Digital will fundamentally change how UK buy-to-let landlords report rental income and manage tax compliance. From April 2026, landlords above the income threshold must maintain digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.

Serviced Accommodation: Tax & Management Guide for Landlords
Serviced accommodation can deliver higher income than buy-to-let while offering potential tax advantages through FHL status. However, VAT rules, the 28-day rule and MTD reporting create compliance risks if not structured properly. Success depends on correct tax planning, the right VAT scheme and strong operational systems.

How Does MTD Apply in Cases of Jointly Owned Properties Requiring Profit Splits?
Under MTD, each joint property owner is treated as a separate taxpayer with individual reporting obligations. Each co-owner must maintain digital records, submit quarterly updates, and file their annual tax return independently, regardless of shared ownership. This ensures that each owner’s income and expenses are accurately reported, preventing errors and penalties.
Guides
From our long-read Guides
Prefer to learn a subject end-to-end? Browse our step-by-step guides for UK landlords and sole traders.
