{"id":1170,"date":"2026-03-30T07:59:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T07:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1170"},"modified":"2026-04-03T10:59:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T10:59:04","slug":"not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Not Ready for MTD Yet? Here\u2019s What You Should Do Before April 6\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;a sole trader or landlord in the UK, the shift to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/making-tax-digital-income-tax-sole-traders-landlords-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>making tax digital for income tax&nbsp;self assessment<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is no longer something to plan for later. It starts&nbsp;on&nbsp;April 6, 2026, and for many people, that deadline has come around faster than expected.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;feeling behind, confused, or unsure where to begin,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not alone. A lot of business owners and landlords are in the same position right now. The key thing to understand is this: you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;need to be perfect before the deadline, but you do need to start taking the right steps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide breaks everything down in simple, practical terms so you can move forward with clarity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Making Tax Digital for Income&nbsp;Tax?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/making-tax-digital-income-tax-sole-traders-landlords-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Making tax digital for income tax<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is a new system introduced by HMRC to&nbsp;modernise&nbsp;how tax is reported.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Instead of:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Filing one tax return at the end of the year&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You will now:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep your records digitally&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Send updates every 3 months&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Submit a final declaration at the end of the year&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This applies to both&nbsp;self-employed&nbsp;individuals and&nbsp;<strong>making tax digital for landlords<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of it as moving from a&nbsp;once-a-year&nbsp;task to a more regular,&nbsp;organised&nbsp;way of managing your finances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who Needs to Act Before April 6, 2026?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need to&nbsp;act&nbsp;now if:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are&nbsp;self employed&nbsp;(sole trader)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You earn income from property (landlords)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your total income is more than \u00a350,000&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If this applies to you, then&nbsp;<strong>making tax digital for income tax&nbsp;self assessment<\/strong>&nbsp;becomes mandatory from April 6, 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;slightly below this threshold,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;worth preparing early because:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The threshold drops to \u00a330,000 in 2027&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Then \u00a320,000 in 2028&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why So Many People Feel Unprepared Right Now<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s&nbsp;be honest. Most people&nbsp;didn\u2019t&nbsp;ignore MTD on purpose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common reasons include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It felt too far away&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The rules sounded complicated&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You were busy running your business&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your current system \u201cworked fine\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But now the deadline is&nbsp;close, and the pressure is real.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is you can still get on track quickly if you focus on the essentials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/What-You-Should-Do-Before-April-6-Step-by-Step-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/What-You-Should-Do-Before-April-6-Step-by-Step-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/What-You-Should-Do-Before-April-6-Step-by-Step-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/What-You-Should-Do-Before-April-6-Step-by-Step-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/What-You-Should-Do-Before-April-6-Step-by-Step.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What You Should Do Before April 6 (Step by Step)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Check If&nbsp;You\u2019re&nbsp;Affected<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by confirming your income level from your last tax return.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;over \u00a350,000, you need to act now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This step avoids unnecessary stress or false assumptions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Move Away from Paper and Spreadsheets<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest changes is that manual records are no longer enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you&nbsp;currently:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep receipts in a folder&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Update spreadsheets&nbsp;once in a while&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sort everything at year end&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This approach will not work under&nbsp;<strong>making tax digital for income tax<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need a system that is:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Digital&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to date&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Easy to maintain&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Choose Making Tax Digital Software<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To&nbsp;comply, you must use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/find-software-that-works-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>making tax digital software<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;that connects with HMRC.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When choosing software, keep it simple:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Easy to use&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tracks income and expenses&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Allows direct submission to HMRC&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t&nbsp;spend too long comparing dozens of options.&nbsp;The best software is one you\u2019ll actually use regularly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Start Recording Your Income and Expenses Digitally<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the most important habit to build.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Make sure you record:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All income coming in&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All business expenses&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dates and categories&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For landlords, this includes:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rental income&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Repairs and maintenance&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Letting agent fees&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For sole traders:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sales&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tools and materials&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Travel and running costs&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aim is to avoid missing information later.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Understand Quarterly Updates (Without Stress)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest worries is the move to quarterly reporting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s&nbsp;a simple explanation:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You will&nbsp;submit:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>4 updates during the year&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1 final declaration&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each update is just a summary of your income and expenses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is not as complicated as a full tax return.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your records are&nbsp;organised, this becomes a routine task.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Get Your Current Records in Order<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before April starts, try to:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Organise&nbsp;your recent transactions&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Separate personal and business finances&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure your numbers are&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting with clean records will make everything easier going forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7.&nbsp;Don\u2019t&nbsp;Rely on the 12 Month Soft Landing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC is offering a&nbsp;12 month&nbsp;transition period with relaxed penalties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But this does not mean you can delay everything.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you ignore MTD now,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;likely face:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bigger problems later&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More stress&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Possible penalties&nbsp;once the transition ends&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this time to build good habits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Mistakes to Avoid<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the deadline approaches, avoid these mistakes:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Waiting until the last minute&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Setting up software but not using it&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Not understanding how updates work&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Assuming your accountant will handle everything&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking responsibility early will save you time and stress.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Simple Plan If You Feel Overwhelmed<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If everything feels too much, follow this basic plan:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 1: Check if MTD applies to you&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 2: Choose your software&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 3: Set it up&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 4: Start recording transactions&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Day 5: Learn how updates work&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;need to do everything perfectly. You just need to start.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Making Tax Digital Can Help You<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although it feels like extra work at first,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/making-tax-digital-for-self-assessment-dual-guide-for-landlords-sole-traders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>making tax digital for income tax<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;has benefits:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You always know your financial position&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Less stress at tax time&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fewer errors&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Better control over your business&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you get used to it, many people find it easier than the old system.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Need Help Understanding Your Next Step?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;unsure about your situation, software, or how&nbsp;<strong>making tax digital for landlords<\/strong>&nbsp;or sole traders applies to you, getting the right guidance now can save you time and prevent mistakes later.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call us at 0207 183 5956 or visit&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.bsassociate.co.uk<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not ready yet,&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;panic. But&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;ignore it either.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/making-tax-digital-for-self-assessment-dual-guide-for-landlords-sole-traders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>making tax digital for income tax self assessment<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;long-term&nbsp;change. The sooner you start, the easier it becomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focus on:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Getting set up&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keeping records regularly&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understanding the basics&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small steps now will prevent bigger problems later.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213724265\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>1. What is making tax digital for income tax\u00a0self assessment?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It is a new HMRC system that requires you to keep digital records and\u00a0submit\u00a0updates every quarter instead of filing one annual tax return.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213740941\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>2. Do landlords need to follow MTD rules?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes,\u00a0<strong>making tax digital for landlords<\/strong>\u00a0applies if your rental income contributes to a total income above \u00a350,000.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213758260\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>3. Do I have to use software for MTD?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, you must use\u00a0<strong>making tax digital software<\/strong>\u00a0that is approved and compatible with HMRC systems.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213780490\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>4. Are quarterly updates the same as tax returns?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No, they are simpler. They are just summaries of your income and expenses, not full tax calculations.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213795997\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>5. What happens if I miss the deadline?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There is a\u00a012-month\u00a0soft landing period, but you should still aim to comply early to avoid future penalties and stress.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213805205\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>6. Can my accountant handle everything for me?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">They can help, but you still need to\u00a0maintain\u00a0proper digital records throughout the year.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775213825919\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>7. What if my income is below \u00a350,000?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You may not need to comply in 2026, but you will\u00a0likely be\u00a0included in later phases as thresholds reduce.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;a sole trader or landlord in the UK, the shift to&nbsp;making tax digital for income tax&nbsp;self assessment&nbsp;is no longer something to plan for later. It starts&nbsp;on&nbsp;April 6, 2026, and for many people, that deadline has come around faster than expected.&nbsp; If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;feeling behind, confused, or unsure where to begin,&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not alone. A lot of business owners and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[50,49,51],"class_list":["post-1170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-making-tax-digital","tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-2","tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-self-assessment","tag-making-tax-digital-software"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Not Ready for MTD Yet? 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Discover what UK landlords and sole traders must do before April 2026 to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BS Associates Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/brayanandspenceruk\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-30T07:59:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-03T10:59:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/MTD-2026.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pat Sharma FCA, ACCA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@brayanspenceruk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@brayanspenceruk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pat Sharma FCA, ACCA\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pat Sharma FCA, ACCA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9bdce0b26bd5202673c3ea5073ad533f\"},\"headline\":\"Not Ready for MTD Yet? 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What is making tax digital for income tax\u00a0self assessment?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It is a new HMRC system that requires you to keep digital records and\u00a0submit\u00a0updates every quarter instead of filing one annual tax return.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/#faq-question-1775213740941","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/#faq-question-1775213740941","name":"2. 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Do I have to use software for MTD?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, you must use\u00a0<strong>making tax digital software<\/strong>\u00a0that is approved and compatible with HMRC systems.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/#faq-question-1775213780490","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.bsassociate.co.uk\/blog\/not-ready-for-mtd-what-to-do-before-april-6\/#faq-question-1775213780490","name":"4. Are quarterly updates the same as tax returns?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No, they are simpler. 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