Why It’s Time to Get Serious About Making Tax Digital


Let’s be honest, no one gets excited about HMRC deadlines. But Making Tax Digital (MTD) is coming, and it’s not something to ignore or leave until the last minute.

From April 2026, MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) will apply to most self-employed people and landlords earning over £50,000 a year. 

And by April 2027, that extends to those earning over £30,000. 

That might sound like the distant future, but the reality is this: if you’re still using paper records, spreadsheets, or relying on a mate-of-a-mate who does your books once a year, you’re going to hit a wall. Fast.

So, what is Making Tax Digital?

MTD is HMRC’s way of modernising the tax system. Instead of one big tax return at the end of the year, you’ll need to:

• Keep digital records
• Use HMRC-compliant software
• Send quarterly updates of income and expenses to HMRC

It’s not about more tax. It’s about better accuracy, fewer mistakes, and staying on top of things all year round.

Why this matters now

Plenty of people are still burying their heads in the sand. But ignoring it won’t make it go away. In fact, relying on old-school methods or accountants who haven’t invested in the right software could leave you exposed, and potentially non-compliant.

The good news? You don’t have to panic. You just have to act.

“The whole ethos behind MTD is to eliminate the old-fashioned, traditional ways of accounting and bookkeeping and put the focus on smarter, digital-first working,” says Craig. “That’s exactly what we provide at Honest Accounting, digital tools that work, and a team of real people to support you.”

How Honest Accounting can help

We’re not about jargon. We’re not about selling you something you don’t need. We’re just here to make sure your tax returns are sorted, your records are compliant, and you’ve got someone in your corner who knows what they’re doing.

• The tech side? We’ve got it covered.
• The support? Always human, always helpful.
• The peace of mind? It comes as standard.

So tick this off your to-do list today

If you’re unsure whether you’re MTD-ready, we can tell you. If you need help switching to digital software, we’ll set it up. And if your current accountant’s idea of “cloud software” involves printing PDFs and filing them in a cabinet… it might be time for a change.

Get in touch with the team today and let’s get the ball rolling. 

Future you will thank you for it.

07730 514 805
0333 138 0003
craig@honestaccounting.co.uk