MTD deadline calendar and checklist
Every Making Tax Digital date for the next year, in your own calendar, with a reminder a week before each one.
The dates
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| 7 November 2026 | MTD quarterly update due (6 April to 5 October) |
| 31 January 2027 | Self Assessment deadline for 2025 to 2026 |
| 7 February 2027 | MTD quarterly update due (6 April to 5 January) |
| 6 April 2027 | MTD starts if over £30,000 in 2025 to 2026 |
| 7 May 2027 | MTD final quarterly update due (6 April to 5 April) |
| 7 August 2027 | MTD quarterly update due (6 April to 5 July) |
The file works with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook. Each date is an all-day event with a reminder seven days before. Sources: HMRC: send quarterly updates (opens in new tab), HMRC: when you need MTD (opens in new tab), GOV.UK: Self Assessment deadlines (opens in new tab). Checked 2026-10-16.
Your MTD checklist
- Check if and when you need MTD. It depends on your qualifying income, which means self-employment and property income before expenses. Use our checker or HMRC's tool (opens in new tab). If you didn't get a letter, it's still on you to check.
- Check you can sign up. You need to be registered for Self Assessment and to have sent a tax return in the last 2 years. HMRC (opens in new tab).
- Choose compatible software. It must handle every income source you have. Compare all 158 HMRC-recognised products in the finder. HMRC doesn't recommend any of them.
- Sign up with HMRC and authorise your software. HMRC: sign up (opens in new tab).
- Keep digital records of your income and expenses as you go.
- Send a quarterly update by each deadline. Each one covers the tax year so far, not just the last three months. If you had no income or expenses, you still send one. HMRC (opens in new tab).
- Know the penalty rules. HMRC won't give penalty points for late quarterly updates in 2026 to 2027, but you must send them before you can file your tax return. From 2027 to 2028, four points means a £200 penalty. HMRC (opens in new tab).
- File your tax return through your software by 31 January after the tax year. HMRC (opens in new tab).
General information, not tax advice. If you have an accountant, check with them which update periods to use.
Get a nudge before each deadline
One short email before each quarterly deadline. Or add the dates straight to your calendar with our free MTD deadline calendar.
Frequently asked
Do I have to send a quarterly update if I earned nothing?
Yes. HMRC says you must still send your quarterly update if you had no income or expenses in the period. HMRC (opens in new tab).
Will I be fined for a late quarterly update in 2026 to 2027?
No penalty points for late quarterly updates in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, but you still need to send them before you can submit your tax return. Late tax returns still get points. HMRC (opens in new tab).
Are the deadlines different for calendar update periods?
No. The update periods differ, but the deadlines are the same: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. HMRC (opens in new tab).