Call for landlords not to be punished over Making Tax Digital
3 months ago | 5 comments
Google searches for Making Tax Digital hit record high
12:01 AM, 9th March 2026, 1 month ago
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Searches for Making Tax Digital have surged ahead of the April deadline, according to new research.
Under the controversial scheme, from April 2026, landlords earning more than £50,000 will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using authorised MTD-compliant software.
Landlords earning between £30,000 and £50,000 will join the scheme in April 2027.
614% increase in search term
Analysis of Google Trends by Censuswide, commissioned by software platform Coconut, shows that interest in the term “Making Tax Digital” peaked on 10 February 2026, reaching an index score of 100, the highest level ever recorded in the UK, and a 614% increase compared with 10 December 2025.
In recent weeks, the government has ramped up its campaign for Making Tax Digital with the government publishing guidance to help landlords find the right software for MTD, including a list of approved software providers.
Alongside this, a new online search tool has been launched, which asks a series of questions tailored to sole traders and landlords, before generating a personalised list of compatible MTD software options.
However, as previously reported by Property118, despite the government claiming Making Tax Digital will help landlords, an accountant says this is not the case.
Simon Misiewicz previously told Property118: “There’s no real benefit beyond maybe streamlining some of the work you already do,” he says. “Does it help with tax returns and submissions? The truth is, I can’t see how.
“There’s no advantage for the individual in submitting quarterly returns, because HMRC doesn’t do anything with them until the end of the year. You don’t pay your taxes any earlier, and there is no real cash-flow benefit for the government”.
The government admitted in the Making Tax Digital impact assessment that landlords earning £50,000 could incur an average transitional cost of £285 and an average annual additional cost of £115.
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Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 48
9:51 AM, 10th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Has anyone found a simple & cheap method of using their spreadsheets to MTD? Every option I look at wants £££ a year – and as a partnership I will need to do it all twice, so looking for a cost effective option.
Not interested in a full property managment system, just a bridge for spreadsheet.
Thanks
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 175
7:02 PM, 12th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Same here. They said there would be free bridging software but I haven’t seen one.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 236
6:29 AM, 13th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Sue P at 10/03/2026 – 09:51
Take a look at mytaxdigital co.uk
I’m on hols at the moment but that’s my plan when I get back. There are others – 123sheets etc
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 120
7:28 AM, 14th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Sue P at 10/03/2026 – 09:51
My understanding Sue is 1. to determine if you need to submit quarterly reports of income & expenses from 01.04.26, HMRC will be using your 2024/25 self assessment to work out if your qualifying income from your gross self-employed & property income exceeds the £50K threshold, 2. gross income threshold of £50K is Turnover before deduction of business expenses. It is not your Net Relevant Earnings after deduction of business expenses. Therefore if your s/e + property income “turnover” is over £50K even if your taxable income is only for example £30K, you need to submit Q returns from 01.04.26 BUT 3. If your properties are in true tax partnership & you submit a Partnership Tax Return (SA800), even though your property partnership gross income in 2024/25 when added to your self-employed income takes you over £50K before the deduction of expenses, my understanding is that this property income doesn’t count towards the £50K qualifying income for MTD purposes.
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 120
7:47 AM, 14th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Sue P at 10/03/2026 – 09:51
Free versions – see link https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/find-making-tax-digital-income-tax-software/software-results
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 120
7:48 AM, 14th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Slooky at 12/03/2026 – 19:02
Bridging software – see link https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/find-making-tax-digital-income-tax-software/software-results
Member Since April 2023 - Comments: 175
8:07 AM, 14th March 2026, About 1 month ago
I will have another look at the HMRC site but last time I looked the “free” software was either only free for the first year or it was only free if you had one income stream or only free if the number of your transactions were below a certain number. Basically there wasn’t one available. I will be looking at the MTD one suggested above.
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 120
8:29 AM, 14th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Useful Links:
Sign up voluntarily for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-up-your-business-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax
Penalties for Income Tax Self Assessment volunteers
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/penalties-for-income-tax-self-assessment-volunteers
Find software that works with MTD for Income Tax
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-thats-compatible-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax
Find out if and when you need to use MTD for Income Tax
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax
Use MTD for Income Tax
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax
MTD for Income Tax for individuals: step by step
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-for-businesses-step-by-step
Work out your qualifying income for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-your-qualifying-income-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax
Follow us on X
https://x.com/HMRC
How to identify HMRC related scams
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/identify-hmrc-related-scam-phone-calls-emails-and-text-messages