Find the Right MTD Software for Income Tax
Compare 50+ HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital software options for landlords and sole traders. Filter MTD software by income type, features, pricing, and more — or use the quick-start buttons to find software that fits your situation.
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RentalBux
HMRC-recognised MTD for Income Tax software. Supports Sole Traders, UK Property, and Foreign Property for seamless tax compliance and easy filing.
123 e-Filing
Link and e-file your MTD VAT and Income Tax spreadsheet returns with this bridging software. Keep your spreadsheets and submit to HMRC in the required format.
123 Sheets
Spreadsheet and Excel MTD bridging software for VAT and Income Tax. Submit digital records to HMRC while continuing to work in your preferred format.
AbraTax
Submit your HMRC-recognised MTD Income Tax returns today. Designed for the new Self Assessment workflow with straightforward digital submissions.
Absolute Excel Income Tax Filer
An affordable, easy-to-use solution enabling taxpayers to comply with MTD for Income Tax. Ideal if you prefer working in Excel.
Accounting from Sage
MTD-compliant tax software from Sage, offering reliable tools to ensure seamless tax filing and accurate income tax reporting for businesses.
Acorah TaxCalc
MTD Quarterly Filer helps accountants and businesses comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Built for professional practice workflows.
Acxite
Comprehensive self-employed tax software designed to make quarterly MTD reporting effortless. Supports joint ownership and spreadsheet workflows.
Ajaccts
Cloud-based tax-filing software for Corporation Tax, Self-Assessment, VAT and Payroll. MTD-compliant for practice and business use.
Andica Accounting Software
Easy-to-use bookkeeping solution to manage business accounts and submit MTD returns online. Suits sole traders and small businesses.
ApariPro
MTD for Income Tax software offering intuitive tools to manage tax filings and ensure full compliance with HMRC regulations for professionals and businesses.
Bright
MTD-compliant accounting software for sole traders and landlords, offering digital records, bank feeds, invoicing and streamlined tax submissions to HMRC.
Capium MTD for IT
Digital software for MTD so you can remain compliant with the rules and serve your clients better than ever. Practice-focused MTD for Income Tax.
CCH iFirm MTD for Income Tax
Bridging software for practices to submit clients' income tax digitally to HMRC, with spreadsheet import and quarterly updates support.
Clear Books
HMRC-recognised MTD software for income tax filing, providing businesses and individuals with a straightforward solution to ensure timely and accurate tax filings.
!Coconut
!Coconut's MTD ITSA software streamlines workflows and helps manage a high volume of smaller clients efficiently. Invoicing and expense management for sole traders and landlords.
Dext Solo
Receipt and expense capture with bank feeds and AI-powered categorisation. Creates digital records and submits quarterly updates for MTD income tax.
Digita Personal Tax
Practice-focused bridging software for personal tax returns, supporting sole traders, UK and foreign property income, and MTD submissions.
Forbes MTD
Forbes MTD bridging solutions let you transmit data prepared in Excel, Sage or VT Transaction to HMRC. Keep your existing workflows.
FreeAgent
MTD-compatible accounting software that lets you submit returns directly to HMRC. Ideal for freelancers, contractors and small businesses.
GetGround
GetGround is HMRC recognised for Making Tax Digital for landlords. Stay confidently compliant with digital record-keeping and quarterly submission.
#GoFile
Stress out. Efficiency in. MTD software that works for you. Streamlined submissions for sole traders and property income.
Hammock for landlords
Game-changing digital tools built specifically for landlord clients. Property analytics, compliance tracking and MTD submissions in one platform.
IRIS Accountancy Suite
Professional accountancy suite with MTD support for income tax, bridging software features and practice workflows for UK practices.
Kletta
MTD for Income Tax software offering tax filing solutions with seamless integration to manage taxes for individuals, businesses, and sole traders in compliance.
Landmark KEYInfinity
Landmark's MTD-compliant software designed for businesses and property managers, ensuring efficient and accurate Income Tax filings with seamless compliance.
Landmark KEYPrime
KEYPrime's MTD-compliant software for businesses and property managers, offering seamless tax filing solutions and ensuring tax reporting accuracy.
MTD Assist
Bridging software for spreadsheet-based records. Submits quarterly updates and tax returns to HMRC for sole traders and property income.
My Tax Digital Free
Free MTD software for self-assessment tax filing, offering simple and efficient solutions for businesses and individuals to ensure tax compliance.
MYT
MYT's MTD-compliant software offering seamless tax filing solutions and easy-to-use features for businesses, sole traders, and self-employed professionals.
Neevii
MTD for Income Tax software offering simple, user-friendly solutions for individuals and businesses to ensure accurate tax filings and full compliance with HMRC.
Nomi
Nomi's MTD-compliant software provides seamless income tax filing solutions, ensuring full tax reporting compliance for businesses, freelancers, and sole traders.
Otis Tax
MTD-compliant software for easy Income Tax filing and management, helping businesses, self-employed individuals, and accountants ensure accurate tax reporting.
PaTMa Property Manager
MTD for Income Tax software designed for property managers, offering simple and effective tools for filing income tax on rental income and business expenses.
Provestor for Landlords
Landlord-focused MTD software for UK property income. Creates digital records, supports joint ownership and submits quarterly updates.
QuarterSEND
MTD-compliant software designed for efficient income tax filings, providing businesses and freelancers with seamless tax reporting and compliance tools.
QuickBooks (Intuit)
HMRC-recognised MTD for Income Tax software. Supports Sole Trader, UK Property.
QuickFile Accounting for MTD IT
QuickFile's MTD-compliant software offering seamless and efficient tax filing solutions for businesses and freelancers, ensuring full compliance.
Qyon Software Ltd
MTD for Income Tax software providing efficient tax filing solutions and ensuring seamless reporting for businesses and professionals to meet HMRC requirements.
Self Assessment Direct
MTD-compliant software offering direct self-assessment Income Tax filings, ensuring accurate tax reporting and compliance with HMRC regulations.
SmartPropertyManager.com
MTD-compliant property management software, ideal for landlords managing tax filings and ensuring seamless reporting and income tax compliance.
Starling
MTD-compliant tax software offering simple and efficient Income Tax filing solutions for self-employed individuals and small businesses to ensure full compliance.
StrideBooks
Accounting software for sole traders and landlords with bank feeds, invoicing and MTD-compliant submissions to HMRC.
@Taxd MTD
MTD for Income Tax software offering seamless tax filing tools and ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations for businesses and individuals.
TaxHeaven
TaxHeaven's MTD-compliant software offers an easy and efficient way to file taxes with accurate reporting and full income tax compliance.
TaxNav
MTD-compliant software offering seamless tax reporting and filing solutions for Income Tax, ensuring compliance for businesses and self-employed individuals.
Untied
MTD-compliant tax filing software for self-assessment returns, offering easy-to-use features and seamless reporting for freelancers and small businesses.
VitalTax
VitalTax's MTD-compliant software simplifies Income Tax filing and reporting for individuals, businesses, and accountants to ensure efficient tax compliance.
Xero
Xero's MTD-compliant software for Income Tax filing provides seamless tax management and reporting for small businesses, ensuring full compliance with HMRC.
Zoho
Zoho's MTD for Income Tax software offering seamless tax reporting and filing solutions for businesses, freelancers, and professionals to ensure tax compliance.
Disclaimer
This MTD finder tool is based on our analysis of publicly available information. Whilst we have taken reasonable care to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee completeness.
Software providers who identify missing or incorrect information may contact us at info@rentalbux.com with supporting evidence for review.
This tool is for general guidance only. Users should verify details with software providers before making decisions. We accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this information.
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See how RentalBux works for MTD for Income Tax. Book a short demo and we’ll show you the features that matter for landlords and sole traders.
Book a Demo →MTD Software — Complete Guide
Compare 50+ HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital software options for landlords and sole traders. Use the MTD Software Finder Tool to filter by income type, features, pricing, and more — or read on for a complete breakdown of your options.
What is Making Tax Digital Software or MTD Software?
Making Tax Digital software, commonly called MTD software, is any software or application that connects to HMRC’s systems to submit tax information quarterly in relation to income tax digitally. Under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA), from April 2026, landlords and self-employed individuals with qualifying income above £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. The limit will further reduce to £40,000 and £30,000 from April 2027 and April 2028 respectively. MTD quarterly submission can only be done through HMRC-recognised software.
MTD software falls into two categories. Full accounting software creates and maintains your digital records throughout the year — tracking income, expenses, bank transactions, and generating the reports HMRC requires. Bridging software takes records you’ve kept elsewhere (typically Excel spreadsheets) and submits them to HMRC in the required format using MTD software that supports bridging capability. Both types can be HMRC-recognised, but they serve different workflows.
The shift to MTD means that for the first time, your choice of accounting software directly affects your ability to file taxes. Software that isn’t recognised by HMRC simply cannot submit the required quarterly updates, whether it be full software with digital records or just Excel spreadsheets. This makes choosing the right MTD software one of the most consequential decisions landlords and sole traders face before the April 2026 deadline.
Use the MTD Software Finder Tool to filter HMRC-recognised software by income type, features, and price — or read on for a complete breakdown of your options.
HMRC-Recognised MTD Software for Income Tax: A Complete List (2026)
HMRC maintains an official list of software recognised as compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA). The following providers have been tested and approved by HMRC to submit quarterly updates and maintain compliant digital records. We’ve verified each entry against HMRC’s published list and added key details from the relevant software websites to help you compare.
RentalBux
RentalBux is an all-in-one MTD and property accounting software built by practising accountants. Despite its focus on landlords, it’s one of the few providers recognised by HMRC for all three MTD income types: UK property, foreign property, and self-employment. Beyond quarterly updates, RentalBux handles tax return submission and automatically maps your accounts to Self-Assessment boxes.
The platform combines full accounting functionality with dedicated property management — property tracking, tenant tracking, mortgage management, and compliance reminders for gas safety certificates and EPC renewals. Its standout feature is advanced joint ownership support, handling custom profit-sharing ratios that most software struggles with.
Pricing starts free for single-property landlords (permanently), with paid plans from £4.50/month for larger portfolios.
QuickBooks
Intuit QuickBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform used by millions of small businesses worldwide. It’s HMRC-recognised for UK property income and self-employment, making it suitable for sole traders and landlords who also run a business. It does not support foreign property income. QuickBooks offers comprehensive accounting features including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and bank feeds. While powerful for general business accounting, QuickBooks lacks dedicated property management features.
Pricing starts at £12/month after introductory discounts expire.
Xero
Xero is a popular cloud accounting platform known for its clean interface and extensive app marketplace. It’s HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income, with strong multi-currency support. Like QuickBooks, Xero is built for general small business accounting rather than landlords specifically. Foreign property income isn’t currently supported.
Pricing starts at £15/month for the Starter plan.
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is cloud accounting software designed for freelancers and small businesses, owned by NatWest Group. It’s HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income. The standout feature is that it’s free for customers of NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Ulster Bank business accounts. However, it lacks property-specific features and doesn’t support foreign property income.
Free with select bank accounts; otherwise £19.50/month.
Sage Accounting
Sage is one of the UK’s longest-established accounting software providers. Sage Accounting is HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income, offering bank feeds, invoicing, and cash flow forecasting. However, like other general accounting platforms, Sage lacks dedicated landlord features. Foreign property income isn’t supported.
A free basic plan is available; paid plans start from £12/month.
Clear Books
Clear Books is UK-developed accounting software with a strong free tier offering core bookkeeping features at no cost. It’s HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income, with AI-powered transaction categorisation. The free plan includes bank feeds and basic reporting. Property-specific features are limited.
Core features free; paid plans from £13/month.
QuickFile
QuickFile offers free accounting software for small businesses, including MTD submissions. It’s HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income, with a model that’s free up to 1,000 ledger entries per year. There’s no property management functionality, but for budget-conscious landlords who want free MTD compliance with basic accounting, it’s a viable option.
Free up to 1,000 entries; £45/year unlimited.
123 Sheets
123 Sheets is bridging software that lets you continue using spreadsheets for your records while submitting to HMRC in the required format. It’s HMRC-recognised for all three income types. If you have a spreadsheet system that works and don’t want to migrate to new accounting software, 123 Sheets provides the bridge to MTD compliance.
From £5/month.
TaxNav
TaxNav offers completely free MTD software with no paid tiers. It’s browser-based, HMRC-recognised for UK property and self-employment income. Features are minimal — this is for users who want the simplest possible path to MTD compliance. No bank feeds, no advanced reporting, no property management. But for the price (nothing), it delivers what’s required.
Completely free.
Forbes MTD
Forbes MTD provides bridging software for businesses that want to keep using existing systems like Excel, Sage, or VT Transaction+. It’s HMRC-recognised and supports all three income types. The software bridges your existing records to HMRC without requiring you to change your bookkeeping approach.
From £10/month.
Other Recognised Providers
HMRC’s list includes additional providers such as Coconut (mobile-first, free with Zempler Bank), Self Assessment Direct (free, basic), and several others. Use the MTD Software Finder Tool to explore all options, or visit HMRC’s official software list for the complete register.
Free MTD Software — Your Options Explained
Several HMRC-recognised providers offer free MTD software, but “free” means different things across providers. Before choosing based on price alone, understand what each free option actually includes.
Genuinely Free Plans
RentalBux offers a genuinely free plan for landlords with one property or sole traders with one business. This isn’t a trial — it includes full MTD compliance features completely free until April 2028. Paid plans (from £4.50/month) are only needed when you add more properties or businesses.
Clear Books offers a genuinely free plan for self-employed with basic needs. It includes full MTD compliance features. Paid plans (from £5/month) are only needed when you want additional features such as receipt scanning, bank feeds, etc.
Free With Conditions
FreeAgent is free if you hold a business bank account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Ulster Bank. Coconut is free for customers of Zempler Bank. Sage provides a free basic plan with limited functionality.
Free Trials
Most paid providers offer free trials ranging from 14 to 30 days: RentalBux (30-day free trial), QuickBooks (30-day), Xero (30-day). Trials let you test full functionality before committing, but you’ll need to pay or switch before the trial ends.
Which Free Option Should You Choose?
For landlords or landlords with self-employed income, RentalBux’s free plan offers the most functionality if you have just one property or one business. For sole traders with simple needs, TaxNav or QuickFile provide free MTD compliance. For NatWest/RBS customers, FreeAgent is effectively a full-featured free option.
HMRC MTD Software — What “HMRC Recognised” Actually Means
You’ll see MTD software described as “compatible,” “compliant,” and “HMRC recognised.” These terms are often used interchangeably, but there’s a meaningful distinction.
HMRC-Recognised Software
HMRC maintains an official list of software that has been tested and approved for Making Tax Digital submissions. Only software on this list can submit quarterly updates and maintain compliant digital records under MTD for Income Tax. Being “HMRC recognised” means the provider has demonstrated their software meets HMRC’s technical requirements.
“HMRC Approved” vs “HMRC Recognised”
These mean the same thing — the software is on HMRC’s official list. “Recognised” is HMRC’s official terminology.
“In Development” Status
HMRC’s list includes software marked as “in development” — meaning the provider is working toward recognition but hasn’t completed testing. You cannot use in-development software for live MTD submissions.
MTD Compatible Software vs MTD Compliant Software — What’s the Difference?
If you’re researching Making Tax Digital software, you’ll see providers describe themselves as “MTD compatible” or “MTD compliant.” In practice, these mean the same thing.
MTD compatible software can connect to HMRC’s systems and transmit data in the format Making Tax Digital requires. MTD compliant software helps you meet your legal obligations under Making Tax Digital. What matters is whether the software appears on HMRC’s official list and supports the specific income types you need.
How to Choose MTD Software — A Practical Framework
With dozens of HMRC-recognised options, choosing the right MTD software can feel overwhelming. Here’s a systematic approach.
Step 1: Match Your Income Types
Does the software support your income sources? UK self-employment only — most providers support this. UK property only — many support this but most lack property-specific features. UK property + self-employment — many support both. Foreign property income — only a handful of providers. All three income types — very few providers, including RentalBux and some bridging software.
Step 2: Full Accounting or Bridging?
Choose full accounting if you want automated bank feeds and don’t have an existing system. Choose bridging if you have a spreadsheet system that works well and want to change as little as possible.
Step 3: Consider Landlord-Specific Needs
If you own property with others, check how the software handles profit splits. Consider whether you want tenant tracking, rent monitoring, and compliance reminders in the same system.
Step 4: Factor in Price Realistically
Look beyond “starting from” prices. Consider what it costs at your actual scale, whether free tiers meet your needs, and if introductory discounts expire.
Step 5: Check What’s Not Included
Verify: Does it submit tax returns, or only quarterly updates? Is there a mobile app? Can your accountant access it? Use the MTD Software Finder Tool to filter options.
MTD Software by Category
Best MTD Software for Landlords
Top picks: RentalBux — All-in-one property management and MTD compliance. Handles joint ownership, all income types, and tax return submission. Free for one property. Hammock — Landlord-focused with excellent portfolio analytics. UK property only. PaTMa — Property management with MTD capability. Free for one property.
Best MTD Software for Sole Traders
Top picks: RentalBux — Supports self-employment. Ideal if you’re also a landlord. FreeAgent — Full-featured and free with NatWest/RBS accounts. QuickBooks — Established platform with extensive features.
Best MTD Software for Accountants
Top picks: RentalBux — Agent access with multi-client management. Hammock — Accountant portal for landlord clients. Xero — Practice management tools and widespread adoption.
Best MTD Bridging Software
Top picks: RentalBux — Supports all three income types and spreadsheet import. Free plan available. 123 Sheets — Supports all three income types. From £5/month. Forbes MTD — Works with Excel, Sage, and other systems. From £10/month.
MTD Software Comparison — How the Options Stack Up
Use the MTD Software Finder Tool for detailed filtering, or scan this quick comparison:
| Software | Income Types | Type | Tax Return | Free Option | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RentalBux | UK · Foreign · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✓ (1 property) | Free | Landlords or mixed income |
| QuickBooks | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✗ | £12/mo | General small business |
| Xero | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✗ | £15/mo | Businesses wanting integrations |
| FreeAgent | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✓ (with bank) | Free/£19.50 | NatWest/RBS customers |
| Hammock | UK only | Full | ✗ | ✗ | £8+VAT/mo | UK-only landlords |
| Clear Books | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✓ (basic) | Free | Budget-conscious users |
| QuickFile | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✓ (<1000 entries) | Free | DIY bookkeepers |
| 123 Sheets | UK · Foreign · Self-emp | Bridging | ✗ | ✗ | £5/mo | Spreadsheet users |
| TaxNav | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✗ | ✓ | Free | Minimum viable compliance |
| Sage | UK · Self-emp | Full | ✓ | ✓ (basic) | Free | Brand preference |
Only RentalBux and selected bridging software currently support all three income types. Tax return submission varies — Hammock, TaxNav, and bridging software handle quarterly updates but not your final declaration.
MTD Software — Frequently Asked Questions
What is MTD software?
MTD software is any application recognised by HMRC to submit digital tax records under Making Tax Digital. From April 2026, landlords and self-employed individuals with qualifying income must use HMRC-recognised software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates.
Is there free MTD software?
Yes. Several providers offer free options: RentalBux (free for one property), QuickFile (free up to 1,000 entries), FreeAgent (free with NatWest/RBS accounts), and Clear Books (free basic tier). Each has different limitations — compare them in our MTD Software Finder Tool.
What is the best free MTD software?
For landlords with one property, RentalBux offers the most complete free option — full MTD compliance, property management, and tax return submission at no cost. For NatWest/RBS customers, FreeAgent is effectively free with full features.
What is HMRC-recognised MTD software?
HMRC-recognised software has been tested and approved by HMRC to submit Making Tax Digital returns. Only software on HMRC’s official list can submit quarterly updates. “Recognised,” “compatible,” and “compliant” all indicate the software meets HMRC requirements.
Do I need MTD software?
If you’re a landlord or self-employed with qualifying income above £50,000, you’ll need HMRC-recognised MTD software from April 2026 (or April 2027 for income above £30,000). The software must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.
What is the difference between MTD bridging software and full accounting software?
Full accounting software creates and maintains your digital records — handling bank feeds, categorisation, invoicing, and reporting. Bridging software submits records you’ve created elsewhere (typically spreadsheets) to HMRC. Both can be HMRC-recognised.
Can I use spreadsheets for MTD?
You can keep records in spreadsheets, but you’ll need bridging software to submit them to HMRC. The spreadsheet alone isn’t sufficient. Options include 123 Sheets and Forbes MTD.
What is the best MTD software for landlords?
For landlords with UK property only, Hammock offers a landlord-focused experience. For landlords with foreign property, self-employment, or complex joint ownership, RentalBux is currently the most comprehensive option.
Does MTD software submit my tax return?
Not all of it. Some MTD software only handles quarterly updates. RentalBux, QuickBooks, Xero, and FreeAgent handle both quarterly updates and tax return submission. Hammock and bridging software typically don’t submit tax returns.
Which MTD software supports foreign property income?
Only a handful of providers: RentalBux (full accounting) and bridging software like 123 Sheets and Forbes MTD. Major platforms like QuickBooks and FreeAgent don’t currently support foreign property.
How much does MTD software cost?
Prices range from free to £30+/month. Free options exist (RentalBux for one property, Clear Books, QuickFile). Established platforms like QuickBooks and Xero start at £12–15/month. Use our MTD Software Finder Tool to compare costs.
When do I need MTD software?
The MTD for Income Tax deadline is April 2026 for income above £50,000, and April 2027 for income above £30,000. You should have software in place before your first quarterly submission deadline.