Free tool
MTD for Income Tax quarterly update dates
Pick a tax year and see all four quarterly update deadlines and the final declaration date. No sign-up, and nothing is stored.
Standard tax-year quarters, ending 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April.
Quarterly updates for 2026/27
Period to 5 Jul 2026
Due 7 Aug 2026
Period to 5 Oct 2026
Due 7 Nov 2026
Period to 5 Jan 2027
Due 7 Feb 2027
Period to 5 Apr 2027
Due 7 May 2027
Final declaration
31 Jan 2028
Due by 31 January after the end of the tax year, in place of the Self Assessment return.
HMRC says there are no penalties for missing a quarterly update deadline in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. From 2027 to 2028 each missed update earns a penalty point, with a £200 penalty at 4 points.
Five MTD deadlines per client, every year
Mark a client as in MTD for Income Tax in FilingKeeper and all four updates and the final declaration appear with their other deadlines, each reminded separately.
How the MTD quarterly dates work
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026. Sole traders and landlords in scope keep digital records and send HMRC a quarterly update from compatible software, then a final declaration after the tax year ends — five deadlines a year for each client.
The standard quarters end on 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April, and each update is due one month and seven days later: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. The final declaration is due by 31 January after the tax year, the date the Self Assessment return used to fall on.
Frequently asked questions
When are MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates due?
On 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May — one month and seven days after the standard quarters ending 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April.
When is the MTD final declaration due?
By 31 January after the end of the tax year. For 2026/27 that is 31 January 2028.
Who has to use MTD for Income Tax?
Sole traders and landlords by qualifying income: over £50,000 from 6 April 2026, over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Qualifying income is gross self-employment and property income, before expenses.
Are there penalties for a late quarterly update?
HMRC says there are no penalties for missing a quarterly update deadline in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. From 2027 to 2028 each missed update earns a penalty point, and at 4 points there is a £200 penalty, plus £200 for each later missed deadline.
Do quarterly updates replace the tax return?
They are summaries of income and expenses sent from compatible software, not tax returns. The tax position is settled in the final declaration after the tax year ends.
Sources: GOV.UK, “Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax” and “Penalties for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax”. This tool is general guidance, not tax advice.