Making Tax Digital will only add an extra layer of bureaucracy for landlords

Making Tax Digital will only add an extra layer of bureaucracy for landlords

0:01 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago 18

Text Size

Making Tax Digital (MTD) could cost landlords hundreds of pounds and add nothing more than “an extra layer of bureaucracy,” experts warn.

According to The Telegraph, nearly one million landlords and freelancers may face up to £480 in additional costs just to comply with the new rules.

The controversial scheme, which applies to Income Tax Self Assessment, will lower the qualifying income threshold for MTD to £20,000 from April 2028, forcing more landlords with modest rental income to keep digital records and file their taxes using MTD-compliant software.

Landlords earning more than £50,000 will need to comply from April 2026, while those earning more than £30,000 will join from April 2027.

Extra layer of bureaucracy with no benefit

HMRC claims the MTD scheme will make it easier for people to keep on top of their tax affairs but as previously reported on Property118, many landlords are struggling to find compliant software.

According to firm Blick Rothenberg, the cheapest software could cost £150 or more.

The Telegraph claims HMRC also estimates that training and transitional costs for small businesses will add up to £330.

Financial experts told The Telegraph the scheme will add an extra financial burden on landlords and self-employed taxpayers.

Ian Cook, chartered financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, told The Telegraph: “I would question the merit of the initiative and why it’s been put in place. It’s an extra layer of bureaucracy with no tangible benefit on either side – not the exchequer nor the self-employed taxpayer.

“People who are self-employed tend to be self-sufficient and doing meaningful work – carpentry, building work, running their own business. More admin will take time out of their busy day which reduces earnings capacity.”

Mired in controversy

Even the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) have questioned MTD, claiming the scheme “is mired in controversy”.

In a letter to HMRC in 2023, the Telegraph reports, the ICAEW claimed the digital drive for tax assessments was “burdensome and not justifiable”.

Despite this, the Labour government has warned landlords must comply with MTD or face fines.


Share This Article


Comments

Reluctant Landlord

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

9:38 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

All done to get more tax and have a reason to fine you more if you are deemed not to be paying what they say you should.

Political extortion. End of.

Martin Thomas

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

10:12 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

This article sums up the situation very well. There is absolutely no benefit for landlords in complying with this ridiculous requirement. All it will do is provide the bureaucrats in the Treasury with slightly more up to date information relating to future tax receipts.
Landlords already have to submit tax returns digitally and we're told we will still have to do that as well. So what is the point of it all?
Nothing at all.
Why don't we start a petition to have this stupid and burdensome requirement put where it belongs? Straight in the bin.

David

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

10:13 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/06/2025 - 09:38
Absolutely and many landlords now classed as a business without the perks.May eventual mean even if you have one small property you will be dragged in to this.Extra work and expense.

Dennis Forrest

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

10:42 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 23/06/2025 - 09:38
I don't think it's just to get more tax but I think also the ultimate aim is to get the tax in sooner.
With CGT at the moment if you sell a property you have to do a CGT return within 60 days and pay the estimated CGT tax soon after. Then again with your annual tax return you do your CGT return again.
So this is how the quarterly digital tax returns might work. Each quarter you pay to HMRC 75% of your net profit for that quarter at a minimum tax rate of 20% within 30 days of the quarter end. At the end of the tax year year when you do your self assessment tax return the tax you have already paid on account will be deducted from your final bill.
I also expect penalties for landlords always well in to the 40% tax bracket trying to 'get away with' only paying the 20% tax rate on account.

Cider Drinker

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

11:06 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

All costs will be passed to the tenant.
My plan is to increase rents by the rate of inflation plus 1%, in line with Social Housing rent increases. However, I will add any and all additional costs to the rent - including a sum for my own time.
Tenants will be advised the reasons for their rents increases.
Dear tenant, your new rent is increasing by £100 because inflation plus 1% adds £60 MTD adds £15, RRB redress scheme adds £15 and RRB database adds £10.

Cider Drinker

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

11:12 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 23/06/2025 - 10:42
The aim is for more and more tax to be raised from the housing market.

SDLT, IHT, Council Tax, taxes on private tenants (via landlords) will account for a more significant portion of the Treasury’s funding.

Gromit

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

11:44 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 23/06/2025 - 10:42
I already make 2 payments on account each tax year (January & July) well in advance of submitting my tax return.

Ryan Stevens

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

11:54 AM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

The main aim seems to be to increase income from fines.

Longer term, it will probably be used to collect tax monthly/quarterly.

Software alone will probably cost £150 minimum a year. If the taxpayer files quarterly returns and a final return an accountant will then need to spend time correcting them, or HMRC will be rubbing its hands with glee. If an accountant prepares them then it is likely to cost a lot more than £480pa!

It is indeed a pointless exercise, with no benefit for taxpayers.

Marcus

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

12:22 PM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 23/06/2025 - 10:42
How will this work with loan interest .. statements of which are only provided annually ?

Ryan Stevens

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!

Sign Up

12:33 PM, 23rd June 2025, About 3 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Marcus at 23/06/2025 - 12:22
You would use an estimate in the quarterly returns and then put a final figure in the final return.

If the mortgage is interest only then you would just use the actual monthly payments. It generally only makes a difference for repayment mortgages.

Then of course there is working out what to do with broker fees, arrangement fees, insurance bundled in with mortgage payments, etc. Most taxpayers will just be left scratching their heads.

1 2

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Automated Assistant Read More