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What is Signing up for MTD for Income Tax?
Last verified 23 October 2026
Signing up is the step that moves you onto Making Tax Digital for Income Tax with HMRC. You do it online using the same sign in details you use for Self Assessment, or your agent does it for you.
Why it matters to landlords
Before you start, check whether you are exempt, choose software that works with Making Tax Digital, and have your business or letting start date to hand. You must already be registered for Self Assessment. You may be asked to confirm your identity, which can involve a mobile app and your passport or driving licence. Each self-employment and property income source must be included, so add any that are missing.
HMRC says it would start signing up people who need to use Making Tax Digital for 2026 to 2027 but have not signed up from September 2026, using information it already holds, which may be out of date. If you volunteer part way through a year, you must send any quarterly updates you have missed. You still submit a normal Self Assessment return for the tax year before you start.
Example
A landlord whose qualifying income was £52,000 for 2024 to 2025 signs in with their Self Assessment user ID, confirms their UK property income source and their software, and completes the service. Their first quarterly update for 2026 to 2027 covers 6 April to 5 July.
Related terms
- MTD for Income Tax (MTD ITSA)
- Government Gateway
- Agent services account
- MTD compatible software
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)