MTD for Income Tax pilot now live

HMRC’s pilot scheme for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is now live.

Accountants, agents and individuals are able to sign up to the pilot and test the programme out. The pilot aims to assess the MTD for ITSA reporting environment, with an initial focus on those who are self-employed and landlords with annual income exceeding £50,000. Signing up to MTD for ITSA will become mandatory for individuals with income in excess of this threshold from 6 April 2026.

Those signing up to the pilot will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates on their income and expenditure to HMRC via MTD-compatible software so that HMRC may test and develop the system.

However, after HMRC revised its list of software products that support MTD for ITSA only five are available for the private beta testing of MTD for ITSA.

These are:

  • 1 2 3 Sheets Ltd
  • Intuit QuickBooks Online
  • Sage Accounting
  • SE reports
  • self assessment direct.

Chosen software must be able to create and store digital records of business income and expenses, send quarterly updates, receive information from HMRC and make your final declaration by 31 January as part of the submission of tax returns.

HMRC recommends checking with the software providers when choosing software to ensure it suits businesses’ needs.

Caroline Miskin, Senior Technical Manager at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), said:

‘Choosing the right software is a critical decision. Software products do need to comply with HMRC’s minimum functional standards but these are quite minimal. This means there will be very significant differences between products.

‘Cost is obviously a major consideration. The list includes some free products, but it is important to check the terms and conditions as well as what functionality is offered. It is disappointing that a wider range of software is not yet available.’

Internet link: GOV.UK

a beautiful light up building

Murphy Thompson Moore LLP

Why choose us?

25yr innovative years of successful business leadership

MTM are specialist, small business accountants, with an office on King Street in Manchester, known for their leadership in electronic filing, and who are trusted by many long-term clients as their key financial advisors.

Specialist advisors to Owner/Managed Businesses

MTM provide services exclusively to owner/managed businesses. Our typical clients employ from 5 to 25 people, are likely to be in the service sector.

At your side throughout the year. Not just year-end.

We meet with you regularly (usually via video call) to explain the work we have done, go through the reports and deal with any matters of current concern in the business. These calls can be 1 to 1 or with members of your team.

No billing suprises and an afordable, monthly fee.

Your engagement with us is based on a single fee to cover all your requirements throughout the year for both the business and your personal tax affairs. We operate a “no surprises” policy that you can rely on.

Contact us for information
about how we can tailor our services to your objectives.

   0161 835 2080

   enquiries@mtmllp.co.uk

   Murphy Thompson Moore LLP
      3rd Floor, 82 King Street, Manchester
      M2 4WQ

*We (Murphy Thompson Moore Ltd) would like to contact you by post with relevant service updates and occassionally, exclusive offers for Clients. We won’t send these often and you can request that we don’t send updates or offers at any time. If you’d like to opt-out of these updates, please let us know within your message. We would also like to contact you by phone and email to respond to your message in order to provide the best service for you (which may include communicating particular offers available at the time). By giving us your details below, you agree you’re happy to receive these messages. We’ll look after your information. Your details will only be used as described in our privacy policy.