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Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax This April

Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax – This April

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Transitioning to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax This April

IMPORTANT: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax officially takes effect from the beginning of April 2026. If you are self-employed, a sole trader, or receive income from property, it’s likely that this will affect you. Today’s guide outlines key dates, the changes, who they affect, how complying with MTD will impact your business — and how Taxfile can help new and existing clients transition quickly and easily.

What’s This About?

(Transitioning to MTD for Income Tax)

Today’s guide is about the need for many people in the UK to transition to Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, the new and regular way of reporting income digitally to HMRC. For those affected, it replaces the traditional once-a-year tax return with 5 smaller submissions spread out through the year.

Who Does MTD for Income Tax Apply To?

MTD applies to those earning a qualifying income above a certain threshold from self-employment, property, or a combination of the two.

What is the Threshold for Participation?

Those with a qualifying income over £50k will be affected first. However, that £50k threshold for obligatory entry will reduce quite quickly, meaning people with much lower incomes will also soon be affected. Those earning a qualifying annual income as low as £20k will therefore also need to comply with MTD fairly imminently.

When Do People Need to Start Complying?

For those with a qualifying annual income over £50k in the financial year 2024-25, it’s time to get on board with MTD for Income Tax right away — MTD digital record-keeping is required from early April 2026. For them, their first quarter’s digital submission to HMRC is then required no later than 7 August.

Others with lower incomes will soon follow suit, with those receiving qualifying annual incomes over £30k starting in April 2027, and those over £20k in April 2028. It’s anticipated that those in partnerships will also soon need to comply (date TBA).

While this represents a change in how tax information is reported, Taxfile’s goal is to ensure the transition is as easy as possible. We want you to feel free to continue delivering your services to customers as usual, while we handle all the MTD ‘heavy lifting’ for you.

Connect With Us to Get Started

with MTD for Income Tax

Taxfile’s tax agents are currently reaching out to new and existing clients to assist with this transition. Existing clients should expect to hear from their dedicated agent by the 25th of March 2026. If your annual turnover is above £50,000 and you have not heard from your Taxfile agent by that date, or are a new customer looking to begin your MTD journey, please contact us immediately so we can ensure you remain compliant.

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment

(or contact your dedicated tax agent directly if you are an existing client).

What Do You Need to Do?

To keep your records compliant and up to date, we require your financial data in a digital format:

  • Bank Statements: Please provide these as CSV or Excel digital downloads.
  • Cash Transactions: If you handle cash, please provide receipts or a clear digital record.
  • Business Bank Accounts: We strongly recommend using an account purely for business. Having little to no personal transactions therein will make tracking business income and expenditure much easier.

Personal Support & Reassurance from Taxfile

We understand that not everyone is comfortable with new technology. If you do not have a laptop, a home computer, or a banking app that provides downloads, please do not worry. You are more than welcome to sit with us each quarter to go through your records in person.

Ultimately, we will provide HMRC with the necessary transaction list that reflects your taxable earnings and relevant costs. We view this as a simplification; by filing on a real-time basis throughout the year, we all avoid the stress of a single year-end deadline.

Taxfile Fees

Taxfile will not be charging extra fees for this service. We will simply divide our usual annual self-assessment tax return fee into four equal instalments to help manage your cash flow.

Quarterly Deadlines

Please note the following periods and the deadlines by which you must submit your data to HMRC:

Accounting Period*HMRC Submission Deadline
6 Apr – 5 Jul OR 1 Apr – 30 Jun*7 August
6 Jul – 5 Oct OR 1 Jul – 30 Sep*7 November
6 Oct – 5 Jan OR 1 Oct – 31 Dec*7 February
6 Jan – 5 Apr OR 1 Jan – 31 Mar*7 May

* (Your business accounts may be based on dates either from full calendar months e.g. starting from 1 April, or months based on the Financial Year, which starts on 6 April).

We very much look forward to hearing from — and seeing — our customers more regularly. The Taxfile team is here to support you every step of the way.

Get Started

Get in touch to start your transition to MTD for Income Tax today:

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment

(or contact your dedicated tax agent directly if you are an existing client).

 

Information You Need to Supply for Professional Help with Your Tax Return

Information You Need to Supply for Professional Help with Your Tax Return

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Information You Need to Supply for Professional Help with Your Tax Return

[Updated November 2025]: If you’re self-employed in the UK and earn more than £1,000 after allowable deductions, you need to file a self-assessment tax return each year. It’s not only the self-employed, though. If you are on a higher income* or receive untaxed income from things like property rental, tips, commission, savings, investments, dividends, or foreign income, you also have to submit a return. Partners in business partnerships and those who made a capital gain resulting in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) also need to submit a return. You can check here if you’re not sure.

If you do have to fill in a self-assessment tax return, getting all the tax return fields filled in properly and the figures right can sometimes be difficult. That’s where professional help from companies like Taxfile is worth its weight in gold. But what information will your accountant or tax advisor need from you? In today’s guide, we’ll explain exactly what you’ll need to supply.

* (Those earning more than £100,000 for tax years up to and including 2022-23, or over £150,000 for the tax year 2023-24. Higher earners earning only through PAYE for tax years thereafter only need to submit a tax return if their tax was not collected correctly at source). You can check here if you’re not sure.

What Information Do You Need to Supply for Professional Help with Your Tax Return?

If you’re getting help filling in and submitting your tax return through an accountant or tax advisor like Taxfile, a list of what they will need from you follows below. You’ll need to supply information for the right financial tax year, of course, unless you have a different accounting period.

For the purpose of this post today, let’s assume information will be required for the tax year starting on 6 April 2024 and ending on 5 April 2025.

Here’s what will be needed:

Income-related information if applicable:

  • Copies of all employment income documents (P60s, P45s, and P11ds), as well as any unreimbursed employment expenses.
  • Copies of all pension income documents (P60s, state pension notices, etc.).
  • Details of bank and building society interest.
  • Details of all investment income (interest, dividends, etc.), as well as details of any investments that may qualify for relief, such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
  • Details of any self-employed income and expenses (schedules and paperwork).
  • Details of any rental income and expenses (schedules and paperwork).
  • Details of any assets that were sold (or gifted) and may be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
  • Details of any other income received, including foreign income.

Potential tax relief information:

  • Details of any personal pension contributions made from taxed income.
  • Details of any gifts to charity using Gift Aid.

You’ll also need to confirm if there is any other information that may be relevant to the completion of your tax return.

Personal Information:

If you’re a new client or an existing client who hasn’t supplied them already, you’ll also need to provide the following:

  • A copy of your passport or driver’s licence. This is to comply with ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) and ‘Anti-Money Laundering’ (AML) regulations.
  • Confirmation of any changes to your personal details, such as a change of address.
  • If you or your partner receive Child Benefit, you’ll need to provide details.
  • If you have a student loan, you’ll need to provide details of the amount you paid during the year and the remaining balance as at April 5, 2025.

Once your accountant or tax advisor receives all of your information, they will be in a position to prepare your tax return. Once approved by you, they will be able to submit it to HMRC on your behalf.

Do You Need Help With Your Tax Return?

Taxfile would be delighted to help you with your self-assessment tax return — or any other type of tax return. We prepare and submit hundreds of tax returns every year for our clients as well as offering all the usual accountancy-related services like bookkeeping, VAT returns, end-of-year accounts for limited companies, arranging tax rebates for CIS sub-contractors and others, accounting for capital gains tax (CGT), payroll, auto-enrolment for workplace pensions and much more.  If it involves tax or accounting, we can help!

For help with any tax or accounting matter, call Taxfile on 020 8761 8000 or book your free 20-minute, no-obligation consultation here. Alternatively, send us a message and we’ll come right back to you. We’re tax advisors and accountants in Tulse Hill near Dulwich (SE21) in the South East. We are open 6 days a week during December and January!

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment Contact Us

We Open 6 Days a Week This Week!*

* Mon/Tues: 9 am-6 pm, Weds/Thurs: 9 am-5 pm, Fri: 9 am-3 pm as usual. Saturday 31 January 2026: 9 am-6 pm by appointment only.

 

Do I Need to Register for Self-Assessment?

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Do I Need to Register for Self-Assessment?

by Mohamed at Taxfile.

In today’s guide, we look at the rules around whether or not you need to register for Self-Assessment and submit a tax return to HMRC each year. Let’s take a look.

Reasons to Register for Self-Assessment

You generally need to register for a Self-Assessment tax return if your income isn’t taxed at the source, meaning the tax isn’t automatically deducted from your wages/salary. Here are some common scenarios where you would need to register for self-assessment:

  • You are self-employed — sole traders, freelancers, and consultants typically fall under this category.
  • You receive rental income — if you earn income from renting out a property, you need to register.
  • You have a high income — employees earning over £100,000 per year need to register as their tax calculations may become more complex. (From 2023-24 you are only required to register if your income is above £150,000).
  • You have other income sources — this includes income from abroad, dividends, and partnership profits.

If you are still unsure about registration, please contact HMRC or call Taxfile on 0208 761 8000.

Registering for UK Taxes is Important

Registering for UK taxes is important for a few reasons, as we’ll explain below.

Firstly, it helps you avoid penalties. If you don’t register for Self-Assessment when required, you could face penalties from HMRC. These can be significant, especially if you’ve been earning income for a while without registering.

Secondly, it helps to ensure accurate tax payments. By registering and filing a Self-Assessment tax return, you ensure you’re paying the correct amount of tax. Without it, you might underpay and owe interest, or overpay and have to wait for a refund.

Thirdly, it helps you stay legally compliant. In severe cases, failing to register and pay your taxes can lead to legal action, including prosecution.

Registering also helps you maintain good standing with the Government. Being registered with HMRC shows you’re taking your tax obligations seriously. This can also be important if you’re applying for credit, a mortgage, or a visa.

Do Directors Need to Do a Self-Assessment?

Not all directors need to do a Self-Assessment tax return, but some do. Here’s a breakdown:

Directors with only PAYE income

If your only income from the company is through PAYE (Pay as You Earn), where tax is deducted at source, you generally don’t need to do a Self-Assessment.

Directors with additional income

If you have any other taxable income besides your salary, like dividends, company benefits, or income from another job, you likely do need to do a Self-Assessment tax return in order to report it.

However, even if you aren’t required to register, HMRC might still ask you to file a Self-Assessment return.

Learn more about director self-assessment here.

Why is Payroll Important for a Director?

Payroll ensures compliance with tax regulations. Directors are considered employees for tax purposes, and PAYE is the system used to collect Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from their salary. Running payroll ensures these deductions are made and reported correctly to HMRC.

Payroll creates a clear and accurate record of your director’s salary payments. This is important for tax purposes, but also for things like calculating benefits and pension contributions that might be tied to salary.

Being on payroll allows directors to qualify for certain benefits they wouldn’t get if paid through dividends alone. These can include enrolling in a company pension scheme and accruing National Insurance credits that contribute to your state pension.

Payroll ensures transparency by helping to maintain a clear separation between personal finances and the company’s finances. This is important for legal and accounting reasons.

While there might be tax advantages to structuring some of your director’s income as dividends, payroll remains a vital part of ensuring you’re following regulations and have a clear record of your director’s overall compensation.

Learn more about how to pay yourself as a director here.

Contact Taxfile – Accountants & Tax Advisors

Tax and accountancy help for South Londoners

If you need any accountancy help for your limited company or small business, Taxfile is here to help:

020 8761 8000 Book Appointment Contact Us

Are you in the South East or London? Taxfile has offices in Tulse Hill, and Dulwich, in South London.

Spring Budget 2024: A Balancing Act for the UK Economy

Spring Budget 2024: A Balancing Act for the UK Economy

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Spring Budget 2024: A Balancing Act for the UK Economy

by Ali at Taxfile.

The UK Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024, amidst a backdrop of subdued economic growth and limited fiscal headroom. The budget aimed to strike a delicate balance between supporting economic activity, controlling public spending, and preparing for future challenges.

If you have missed the announcements, the Key Highlights for the majority of our clients are as follows.

Tax Cuts

The budget continued the government’s commitment to lower taxes, announcing a further 2p cut to National Insurance contributions (NICs) for both employees and the self-employed as of 6th April 2024. This measure, alongside previous cuts, delivers the largest-ever reduction in NICs, aiming to boost disposable income and stimulate economic activity.  Hunt says the National Insurance cut, to begin next month, is worth £450 a year for the average worker earning £35,000 p/a.

VAT Threshold Changes

Recognising the crucial role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Chancellor announced an increase in the VAT registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 starting from 1st April 2024. For the de-registration from VAT, the taxable threshold has also increased, by the same amount, to £88,000.

Child Benefit

The Spring 2024 UK Budget contained two key points regarding child benefit:

  1. The income threshold at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) applies increased from £50,000 to £60,000 annually.  This means families with one parent earning less than £60,000 will now receive the full amount of child benefit.
  2. There are also plans for future reform; the government announced a consultation to explore assessing the HICBC based on household income instead of individual earnings. This reform is planned to be implemented by April 2026.

The current system has been criticized for being unfair, as two single parents each earning £49,000 would receive full child benefit, while a single parent earning £50,000 would not. Assessing the charge based on household income aims to address this disparity.

Capital Gains Tax

The Spring Budget also includes two changes relating to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on property:

1. Reduced rate for residential property

The higher rate of capital gains tax (CGT) due on disposal of residential property will reduce to 24% (from 28%), beginning on 6th April 2024. This means that individuals selling a second home or investment property will pay a lower tax rate on their profits.

2. Abolition of the Furnished Holiday Let (FHL) regime

Announced for 6th April 2025, the budget proposes abolishing the FHL tax regime. This regime currently offers beneficial tax treatment for furnished holiday lets. Instead, all UK residents will be subject to the same capital gains tax rules on their rental income, regardless of whether the property is a long-term or short-term let.

Non-Domiciles: Scrapping of the Remittance Basis

The previous system, where ‘non-doms’ only paid UK tax on non-UK income and gains if they brought them into the UK (remitted), is being abolished entirely.

The reform aims to create a simpler and fairer tax system for individuals regardless of their domicile status. It also encourages spending and investment within the UK by offering temporary tax exemption on foreign income brought into the country.  This will be done by:

1. The introduction of a residency-based system

The new regime focuses on residence instead of domicile. Individuals arriving in the UK after April 2025 will be exempt from tax on foreign income and gains for their first four years of UK residence.

2. A transition period

Existing non-doms will have a transition period to adjust to the new system.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions relating to the Spring Budget and how it might impact you or your business, please contact Taxfile today.


020 8761 8000 Book Appointment Contact Us

Taxfile are high-quality accountants and tax advisors in Tulse Hill, and Dulwich in South London.