The long awaited Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax has finally arrived. From April 2026, sole traders and landlords with gross income above £50,000 are in scope. For many, the question has moved on from ‘what is MTD?’ to something more practical: what software do I need, and how do I select the right one for me?

The answer to these questions largely hinges on how you currently handle your finances, but most people have more options available to them than they realise.

Who needs to act, and when

The £50,000 threshold is based on 2024-25 turnover, not current-year income. It drops to £30,000 in 2027 and £20,000 in 2028, so even those who are not yet in scope will be before long.

It must be made clear that the 2025-26 self assessment tax return, due 31 January 2027, must be filed under the current system. The date that actually matters is 7 August 2026, the due date for the first quarterly submission for the period 6 April 2026 – 5 July 2026.