First MTD Quarterly Update Due by 7 August
HMRC reminds 864,000 sole traders and landlords in Making Tax Digital that their first quarterly update, covering April to July 2026, is due by 7 August.
HMRC has issued a reminder to over 864,000 sole traders and landlords now in Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: the first quarterly update is due by 7 August 2026.
This is the first deadline since MTD launched on 6 April 2026 for those with qualifying income over £50,000. The update is a summary of income and expenses for the first three months — HMRC stresses it is not a tax return and typically takes minutes to complete through MTD-compatible software.
Key Points
- The update covers 6 April to 5 July 2026 (or 1 April to 30 June if you chose calendar quarters).
- It is submitted through MTD-compatible software, not the HMRC website.
- Some software includes HMRC Assist, which flags potential errors before you submit, and you get an estimate of your tax bill after each update.
- There are no penalties for late quarterly updates during the first year. From year two, each missed deadline earns a penalty point — four points trigger a £200 fixed penalty.
- Your Self Assessment return is still due by 31 January 2027 as usual.
What to Do
- Categorise your income and expenses for the first quarter in your software and review the summary it generates.
- Submit before 7 August 2026 and keep the HMRC confirmation.
- Not signed up yet but within scope? You can still sign up on GOV.UK.
Related Guides
- Your First MTD Quarterly Update: What to Submit by 7 August 2026
- Making Tax Digital for Self-Employed: What You Need to Do Now
- Making Tax Digital for Landlords: Deadlines, Thresholds & Setup
Information accurate as of 25 July 2026. Verify current details on GOV.UK.
Official Sources
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