HMRC is changing the rules. We’ll make sure you’re ready.
From April 2026, the way sole traders report their income to HMRC is changing. It’s called Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) — and if you earn over £50,000 from self-employment or rental income, it applies to you.
That means more submissions, different software, and a whole new process to get your head around.
Or it means calling Green & Moore and letting us handle all of it.
What’s actually changing
Right now, you submit one self-assessment tax return every January. Under Making Tax Digital, you’ll need to submit quarterly updates to HMRC throughout the year, plus a final declaration at year end.
That’s not as scary as it sounds — the quarterly updates are short summaries of your income and expenses, not full tax returns. But they do mean your records need to be kept up to date all year round, not just scrambled together in January.
You’ll also need to use HMRC-approved software that connects directly to their systems. A spreadsheet and a prayer won’t do anymore.
The key dates:
April 2026 — mandatory for sole traders earning over £50,000
April 2027 — mandatory for those earning over £30,000
April 2028 — planned for those earning over £20,000
Not sure which applies to you? Book a call and we’ll check your position.
The real problem isn’t the rules. It’s the time.
You started your business because you had a mission. Whether you’re a sustainability consultant, a social enterprise founder, or a purpose-driven freelancer — your days are already full.
What you don’t need is another HMRC deadline to manage, another piece of software to learn, or another thing to worry about getting wrong.
That’s exactly why Green & Moore exists. We’re not just here to file your returns — we’re here to take the whole thing off your hands so you can get back to the work that matters.
We have tailored services so if you only want us to do part of the process we can work with you on this.
How we make MTD simple for sole traders
- We check if — and when — you need to comply
- We’ll look at your income position and confirm exactly when MTD applies to you, so there are no surprises.
- We set up the right software for your business
- We work with cloud-based, MTD-compatible software and we’ll set it up, connect it to HMRC, and show you how to use it.
- We keep your records in order throughout the year
- One of the biggest changes with MTD is that you can’t leave everything to January. We’ll work with you to keep your books clean and current — it’s better for your business too.
- We submit your quarterly updates and final declaration
- You focus on running your business. We handle the submissions, track the deadlines, and make sure HMRC has everything it needs.You’ll always know what’s happening with your tax affairs.
Is this right for you?
This service is ideal if you’re a sole trader who:
- Earns over £50,000 in self-employment and/or rental income (or will do soon)
- Wants someone to handle the MTD transition from start to finish
- Runs a purpose-driven, ethical or sustainability-focused business
- Values a personal, responsive service over a faceless online platform
- Is tired of the annual January scramble and wants to manage tax more calmly throughout the year
Your questions answered
Do I definitely need to worry about this
If you’re a sole trader or landlord earning over £50,000 in gross income (before expenses), then yes — MTD for Income Tax applies to you from April 2026. If you’re under that threshold, your deadline is later but preparing early makes sense.
Does this affect my limited company too?
No — MTD for Income Tax only applies to sole traders and landlords, not limited companies. If you have a limited company, that’s a separate conversation. [Find out how we support limited companies)
What software do I need?
We’ll advise you on the best MTD-compatible software for your business and set it up for you. You won’t need to research or compare options yourself.
Will my tax bill change?
MTD changes how and when you report income — not how much tax you owe. But having cleaner, more current records throughout the year can actually help with tax planning.
What if I already have an accountant?
If your current accountant hasn’t mentioned MTD for Income Tax yet, that’s worth asking them about. We’re always happy to have a no-obligation chat if you’re considering a change.
Ready to work with an accountant who shares your values?
Book in an initial chat to talk about how we can support your business—and your mission. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch: