Your MTD For ITSA Questions, Answered

General

We get asked questions about MTD for ITSA. People want to know how MTD for ITSA affects them and they’re trying to figure out how to prepare ahead.

Chances are, you probably have these same types of questions. And you’ve probably even spent some time on blogs, forums and around the web, trying to get answers. Problem is, you keep getting complex or even conflicting answers, right?

So you’re left to sort through the wheat and the chaff.

That’s why we compiled this list of frequently asked questions.

We wanted to make sure you got the right information from a practising qualified accountant. Read on…

Q. What is MTD for ITSA?

MTD for ITSA means Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA). It is a new way for self-employed business owners and landlords to report earnings and pay income tax.

It will replace the current annual self assessment tax returns.

Q. What are the requirements of MTD for ITSA?

Self-employed business owners and landlords need to keep and maintain digital records and use MTD compatible software to send and track updates to HMRC.

A Quarterly Summary Update of the business income and expenditure is required. The period covered by each quarterly update will be cumulative. This implies that the most recent quarterly update will overwrite the preceding one. Therefore, no historic update for amendment on previously submitted quarterly update will be required. A Final Declaration is required per individual to include all other sources of taxable income such as investment income. This is due by 31 January following the end of the relevant tax year. 

In summary, the following are required:

  • Keeping digital records
  • Filing to HMRC using MTD-compliant software
  • 4 Quarterly Submissions per business that are cumulative, with the most recent one being the final
  • 1 Annual Final Declaration submission per individual

The standard quarterly periods are: 6 April to 5 July, 6 July to 5 October, 6 October to 5 January, 6 January to 5 April. 

At a later date, there will be an option to use calendar quarterly periods i.e. 1 April to 30 June, 1 July to 30 September, 1 October to 31 December, 1  January to 31 March. 

The deadlines for submitting the quarterly updates are the same regardless of whether standard quarterly periods or calendar quarterly periods are used.  The deadlines are 5 August, 5 November, 5 February and 5 May.

Q. Who will be affected by MTD for ITSA?

Self-employed individuals and landlords with a total business or property income above £50,000 in the relevant tax year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.

Q. When does MTD for ITSA come into effect?

MTD for ITSA will come into effect from April 2026 for self-employed individuals and property landlords with an income greater than £50,000. For those with income between £30,000 and £50,000, they must comply from April 2027.

Q. How is the threshold determined?

The income threshold is based on the total business or property income in the relevant tax year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.

Q. Are there any exemptions to MTD for ITSA?

There are two categories of exemption:

  • Income Exemption: any self-employed individual or property landlord whose total business or property income does not exceed £50,000 in the relevant tax year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025; or with income between £30,000 and £50,000 from April 2027
  • Specific exemptions will be introduced for foster carers and individuals without a National Insurance number
  • Digital Exclusion: HMRC may permit an exemption for a self-employed individual or property landlord if it can be demonstrated that it is not practical to keep digital records or submit digitally due to age, disability, location, religion or other reason.

There will be relief for landlords of jointly owned property. They can choose to keep less detailed digital records and opt out of submitting expenses within quarterly updates.

In conclusion…

At last, you finally know the FACTS about MTD for ITSA. That means that you can now prepare ahead more confidently if you are in scope, because you’re armed with the knowledge you need. 

MTD for ITSA is a big change as it impacts small business owners and property landlords who may not currently be keeping digital records. At Clarified Accounting, we can support you with simple digital record keeping solutions which are fully compliant with the MTD requirements. Don’t wait till April 2026, contact us today.

Tags :MTD, ITSA, Tax, HMRC

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