Making Tax Digital 2026: the guide for the self-employed in the UK

What is Making Tax Digital?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is HMRC's reform that requires self-employed people and landlords to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software, instead of a single yearly Self Assessment.

Who is concerned and when

MTD for Income Tax becomes mandatory in phases:

6 April 2026 : qualifying income over £50,000.

April 2027 : over £30,000.

April 2028 : over £20,000.

Income here means your gross self-employment and property income before expenses.

What you must do

Keep digital records of income and expenses.

Send quarterly updates to HMRC.

Submit a final declaration after the tax year.

Use HMRC-recognised software for the submissions.

How to get ready

Check your income against the thresholds and your start date.

Go digital now: stop using paper or scattered spreadsheets.

Pick your tools: invoicing to get paid + HMRC-recognised software for submissions.

What about Robi AI?

Robi AI helps you on the front line: create professional invoices by voice or text in seconds, get paid faster with online payments and automatic reminders, and keep a clean digital record of what you bill. For the MTD quarterly submissions themselves, use HMRC-recognised software. Together, you stay organised and compliant.

Conclusion

MTD is coming in phases from April 2026. Know your threshold, move to digital records now, and pick tools that make invoicing and reporting effortless.