How to register for Making Tax Digital: MTD sign up guide 2026

GuideBy Daniel Hart·9 March 2026·8 min read

If you're a sole trader or landlord earning over £50,000, you need to sign up for Making Tax Digital before April 2026. MTD registration is done through HMRC's GOV.UK portal and takes around 15 minutes. This guide walks you through every step — from checking eligibility to authorising your software.

Important: HMRC registration for MTD for Income Tax is separate from MTD for VAT. If you already have MTD for VAT, you still need to sign up for MTD for Income Tax.

Step-by-step: how to sign up for MTD with HMRC

Check if you need to register

You must register for MTD for Income Tax if your gross qualifying income from self-employment and/or property exceeds £50,000 (from 6 April 2026). This includes total turnover before expenses — not profit. Use HMRC's eligibility checker if you're unsure.

Get your Government Gateway credentials

You need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you already file Self Assessment online, you have one. If not, you'll need to create an account on GOV.UK. Keep your National Insurance number and UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) to hand.

Sign up for MTD on GOV.UK

Go to HMRC's MTD sign-up page and follow the steps. You'll need to:

Log in with your Government Gateway account
Confirm your National Insurance number
Select the income sources to be covered (self-employment, UK property, or both)
Choose your accounting period start date

Choose HMRC-compatible MTD software

HMRC maintains an official list of MTD-compatible software. You need software that:

Connects to HMRC via their MTD APIs
Keeps digital records of income and expenses
Submits quarterly updates and final declarations

Regulas is built from the ground up for MTD for Income Tax — with free and paid tiers starting from £5.99/month.

Authorise your software with HMRC

Once signed up, open your MTD software and follow the authorisation flow. This uses HMRC's secure OAuth 2.0 process — you'll be redirected to GOV.UK to grant permission. Your Government Gateway password is never shared with the software provider.

Start keeping digital records from 6 April 2026

From the start of the 2026–27 tax year, all income and expenses must be recorded digitally. Your first quarterly update (Q1: 6 April – 5 July) is due by 5 August 2026.

What happens after you register?

Once registered and linked to MTD-compatible software, you're ready to go from 6 April 2026. Your obligations are:

Keep digital records of all income and expenses from day one
Submit quarterly updates to HMRC (deadlines: 5 Aug, 5 Nov, 5 Feb, 5 May)
File an End of Period Statement confirming annual figures
Submit a final declaration by 31 January — replaces your Self Assessment return

Read our quarterly updates guide for full details on what to submit and when.

Agents and accountants

If you use an accountant, they can manage your MTD submissions through their Agent Services Account. They'll still need you to either:

Authorise them via your Government Gateway account, or
Use a digital handshake process where HMRC sends you a code to share

Many accountants prefer software that supports agent access — Regulas includes multi-client management on the Enterprise tier.

Frequently asked questions about MTD registration

Can my accountant register me for MTD?▾

Yes. If you have an accountant or agent, they can sign you up through their Agent Services Account on GOV.UK. They'll need your authorisation first.

What if I miss the registration deadline?▾

HMRC expects you to be registered before your first quarterly update is due. If you're in scope from April 2026, aim to register by the end of March to avoid last-minute issues. Late compliance can result in penalties under HMRC's point-based system.

Do I need to register separately for MTD for Income Tax and MTD for VAT?▾

Yes. MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax are separate registrations. If you're already registered for MTD VAT, you'll still need to sign up separately for MTD for Income Tax.

I'm a landlord — do I need to register?▾

If your gross rental income (before expenses) exceeds £50,000, yes. This applies to UK property, foreign property, and combined self-employment + property income.

Is MTD registration free?▾

Registering with HMRC is free. You will need MTD-compatible software, which may have a cost — though Regulas offers a free tier for basic record-keeping.

Ready to get MTD-compliant?

Join the Regulas waitlist to be notified when we're live. Free tier available, no credit card required.

Sources: Based on published HMRC guidance on GOV.UK. This is general guidance and not tax advice. Content used under the Open Government Licence v3.0.