{"id":29376,"date":"2026-07-30T11:07:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T10:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=29376"},"modified":"2026-08-03T09:46:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T08:46:33","slug":"mtd-income-tax-crash-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-income-tax-crash-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Help! MTD for Income Tax has started! What do I need to do?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--standard entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--standard\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHelp! MTD for Income Tax has started! What do I need to do?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA practical, no-fuss crash course in getting things right \u2014 and making the most of digital tax.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-30T11:07:52+01:00\">30 July, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Help! MTD for Income Tax has started! What do I need to do?\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-income-tax-crash-course\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/keirthomasbryant\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/keir-short-hair.jpg 760w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Keir Thomas-Bryant<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re reading this, the chances are you&#8217;re a sole trader or landlord who has just been told\u2014or has just realised\u2014that Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now applies to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First things first: don\u2019t panic. You have time, the rules are more manageable than you might think, and you are far from alone in navigating this change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-sage-container is-constrained is-style-jade\"><div class=\"sage-container__inner\">\n<h3 id=\"h-key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>MTD for Income Tax replaces the annual Self Assessment return with three things<\/strong>: digital record-keeping, quarterly updates every three months, and one digital tax return by 31 January.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It doesn&#8217;t change how much tax you pay<\/strong>, how expenses are calculated, or when payments are due \u2014 only how, and how often, you report.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You still need to file your 2025\/26 Self Assessment return by 31 January 2027<\/strong> \u2014 this is expected to be the last one before MTD fully takes over.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HMRC&#8217;s &#8220;soft landing&#8221; means no penalty points for late quarterly updates in the 2026\/27 tax year<\/strong> \u2014 but this doesn&#8217;t cover the final digital tax return or late payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If your turnover is under \u00a390,000, three-line accounts let you report just income, expenses, and net profit each quarter<\/strong>, instead of detailed categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTD for Income Tax has been covered extensively here on Sage Advice. Here are some articles that provide background:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/free-e-book-mtd-for-income-tax-a-guide-to-switching-from-self-assessment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Free e-book: MTD for Income Tax\u2014A guide to switchin<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/free-e-book-mtd-for-income-tax-a-guide-to-switching-from-self-assessment\/\">g from Self Assessment<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-for-income-tax-what-it-means-for-trades-and-skilled-workers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MTD for Income Tax: What it means for trades and skilled workers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-income-tax-landlords-need-to-know\/\">Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for landlords: Answers to frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/new-to-mtd-for-income-tax-avoid-these-5-misunderstandings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New to MTD for Income Tax? Avoid these 6 misunderstandings<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/am-i-excluded-from-mtd-for-income-tax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Am I excluded or digitally exempt from MTD for Income Tax?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/hmrc-penalty-making-tax-digital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Making Tax Digital for Income Tax penalties: HMRC\u2019s new systems explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, read on for a thorough MTD for Income Tax crash course including how to get free software to use. Here&#8217;s what this article covers:<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-mtd-for-income-tax-actually-means-for-you\" data-level=\"2\">What MTD for Income Tax actually means for you<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-mtd-for-income-tax-what-to-do-now-and-what-comes-later\" data-level=\"2\">MTD for Income Tax: What to do now, and what comes later<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#digital-record-keeping\" data-level=\"2\">Digital record-keeping: the essentials and the good practice<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-three-line-accounts-the-mtd-simplification-you-might-not-know-about\" data-level=\"2\">Three-line accounts: The MTD simplification you might not know about<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-mtd-quarterly-updates-what-they-are-and-what-they-re-not\" data-level=\"2\">MTD quarterly updates: What they are (and what they&rsquo;re not)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#working-with-accountant\" data-level=\"2\">Working with an accountant or bookkeeper under MTD<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#choosing-mtd-software\" data-level=\"2\">Choosing MTD-compatible software<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-don-t-forget-your-2025-26-self-assessment-return\" data-level=\"2\">Don&rsquo;t forget your 2025\/26 Self Assessment return<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#payments-on-account-mtd\" data-level=\"2\">Payments on account for MTD, and other Income Tax rules<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#mtd-soft-landing\" data-level=\"2\">The soft landing: HMRC&rsquo;s first-year leniency<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-frequently-asked-questions\" data-level=\"2\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-mtd-for-income-tax-actually-means-for-you\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What MTD for Income Tax actually means for you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTD for Income Tax officially began on 1 April 2026 for self-employed individuals and landlords with combined gross income above \u00a350,000\u2014and who use the calendar month for their taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, most use the start date of 6 April 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its core, MTD for Income Tax introduces three obligations that replace the traditional annual Self Assessment process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Digital record-keeping: <\/strong>You must keep digital records of your business income and expenses using MTD-compatible software. That means using accounting software. Handing shoeboxes of receipts and manual spreadsheets to your accountant or bookkeeper won\u2019t cut it anymore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quarterly updates: <\/strong>Four times a year, you\u2019ll send HMRC a summary of your income and expenses through your software. You must send a quarterly update for each business you run: if you&#8217;re a landlord and also a sole trader, that means two updates each time (so eight per year). If you&#8217;re a carpenter but also run an online store, again, that&#8217;s two updates each time. Think of quarterly updates as progress reports. They are definitely not full tax returns. Furthermore, if you already use three-line accounts to provide summaries of your income and expenditure, you can do so here, too (see below).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A digital tax return (also known final declaration): <\/strong>After the end of the tax year, you\u2019ll submit a single digital tax return through your software. This brings together all of your income\u2014including anything outside MTD, such as dividends or interest\u2014and confirms your tax position for the year. Just like your Self Assessment tax return, this must be submitted by 31 January.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crucially, MTD for Income Tax does not change how much tax you pay, how your expenses are calculated, or when your payments are due. The rules of Income Tax remain exactly the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What changes is how you report your income, and how often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-mtd-for-income-tax-what-to-do-now-and-what-comes-later\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">MTD for Income Tax: What to do now, and what comes later<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest sources of anxiety around MTD for Income Tax is the feeling that everything needs to happen at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s a practical timeline of what needs to happen and when. Don\u2019t try to think about all of the below deadlines at once. Focus on the deadline in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-right-now-april-may-2026-get-set-up\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Right now (April\u2013May 2026): Get set up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your immediate priority is to choose MTD-compatible software if you haven\u2019t already (more on that below). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then you must sign-up to MTD for Income Tax. It isn\u2019t automatic even if HMRC has written to you to tell you that you need to use MTD. Nor is it already taken care of if you&#8217;re already using MTD for VAT. MTD for Income Tax is entirely separate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, you must configure the software to use MTD and connect to HMRC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This sounds complicated but it\u2019s actually straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you haven\u2019t already signed up for MTD for Income Tax with HMRC, do that now\u2014you can do it through your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/sign-up-your-business-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax\">Government Gateway account<\/a>, or your accountant can do it on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speak to your software vendor about switching on the MTD for Income Tax features of the software. Again, this is usually straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start recording your income and expenses digitally from 6 April 2026 onwards (or 1 April if you use the calendar month for your accounting). Every sale, every purchase, every invoice, receipt\u2014capture it in your software as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ideally, you\u2019ll also want to set up a bank feed so that transactions flow into your accounting software automatically, too. This makes life significantly easier, and every bank in the UK offers it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-7-august-2026-first-quarterly-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 August 2026: First quarterly update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is your first real deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your first update covers the period of 6 April to 5 July 2026 and must be submitted by 7 August 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The update is simply a summary of the income and expenses you\u2019ve recorded in your software for that period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your records are up to date because you\u2019ve been keeping digital records in your accounting software, submitting is typically just a review and a click (or tap).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-7-november-2026-second-quarterly-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 November 2026: Second quarterly update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This covers the second quarter of the tax year (6 July to 5 October 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By now, you should have a rhythm going. If you spotted any errors in your first update, corrections will roll through with this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s an important point. There\u2019s no legal requirement to get each quarterly update 100% correct. You can correct the next time around, if you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also worth noting that, for the first year of MTD for Income Tax covering 2026 to 2027, HMRC is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-for-income-tax-soft-landing-period-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">laying off penalties<\/a> if you miss the submission deadline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t an excuse to ignore them. But it might take a load off your mind as you get used to MTD for Income Tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-31-january-2027-your-2025-26-self-assessment-is-due\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">31 January 2027: Your 2025\/26 Self Assessment is due<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t overlook this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though MTD has started, your 2025\/26 tax year (which ended on 5 April 2026) still requires a traditional Self Assessment return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most people switching to MTD for Income Tax, this will be the final Self Assessment return they submit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re filing online, the deadline is 31 January 2027 as usual. This is covered in more detail later in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-7-february-2027-third-quarterly-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 February 2027: Third quarterly update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third update you need to provide covers 6 October 2026 to 5 January 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-7-may-2027-fourth-quarterly-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7 May 2027: Fourth quarterly update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fourth quarterly update you need to provide covers 6 January to 5 April 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once this is submitted, you\u2019ve completed your first full cycle of quarterly reporting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, your second year of MTD has just begun in April 2027 for the 2027-28 tax year, and your first quarterly update for that is due in August 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But for your first year of MTD, there\u2019s just one last thing&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-31-january-2028-your-first-mtd-tax-return\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">31 January 2028: Your first MTD tax return<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where you confirm your full-year figures for the 2026\/27 tax year, claim any reliefs and allowances, and finalise your tax position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sound familiar? Yes, it&#8217;s very similar to your Self Assessment tax return. But there&#8217;s a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s submitted through your MTD software. You can&#8217;t fill in a paper return and post it to HMRC. Nor do you need to use their website to submit it. It&#8217;s all done within your accounting software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it\u2019s due by 31 January 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">MTD: Your business survival guide<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-d74b8314-e3b1-4385-9b30-51a7de0ca091\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Get MTD for Income Tax: The business survival guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_565116862-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"A business woman successfully navigating MTD for Income Tax\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_565116862-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"digital-record-keeping\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digital record-keeping: the essentials and the good practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s separate what you must do from what you should do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-bare-minimum-for-data-entry-compliance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bare minimum for data entry compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need to keep digital records of your self-employment and\/or property income and expenses in MTD-compatible software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC requires that these records are created and stored digitally\u2014not written on paper and typed up later. The records must include the amounts, dates, and categories of each transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019re allowed to type transactions into your software manually if that\u2019s your preference. Many people do. A simple cloud-based accounting app that\u2019s recognised by HMRC will meet the legal requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s important to know there are some rules around what\u2019s called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-an-mtd-digital-link\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital linking<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put simply, once the MTD for Income Tax data has been entered into software, you must transfer it digitally. You can\u2019t write down and rekey the data, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What might surprise you is that copying and pasting from one place to another is also prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, there must be some method of digitally transferring the data, such as a feature built into the software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As you might be realising, this makes the use of spreadsheets for storing any data relating to MTD for Income Tax a difficult proposition. It&#8217;s against the MTD rules to copy the key MTD accounting data out of a spreadsheet and into your accounting software. This is pretty serious. If HMRC finds out, you could face penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-good-practice-for-data-entry\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good practice for data entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While manual entry is compliant, provided you follow the digital linking rules afterwards, it\u2019s also the area where most errors and delays occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good practice means reducing the amount of manual data entry you do. There are two main ways to achieve this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, connect a bank feed<strong>.<\/strong> Most accounting apps allow you to link your business bank account so that transactions are imported automatically. You then categorise them\u2014or let the software\u2019s suggestions do it for you\u2014rather than typing them from scratch. This alone saves a massive amount of time and reduces the risk of mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second, use a data capture tool. Tools such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoentry.com\/small-medium-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AutoEntry<\/a> allow you to photograph or scan a receipt, invoice, or bank statement, and the data is extracted automatically and posted into your accounting software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AutoEntry uses AI-powered optical character recognition and learns from your previous entries, so it gets smarter over time. If you deal with a lot of paper receipts or supplier invoices, this is a game-changer. It turns a pile of paperwork into clean, categorised records without you having to type a thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying something from a wholesaler? When you get to your vehicle, snap the receipt using AutoEntry. That&#8217;s it. Job done. The data&#8217;s in your accounting. Received an invoice or bill? Snap it using AutoEntry. Job done, again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-three-line-accounts-the-mtd-simplification-you-might-not-know-about\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three-line accounts: The MTD simplification you might not know about<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of categorising every expense into the right box every three months, there\u2019s an important simplification that applies to many sole traders and landlords: three-line accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the MTD rules (and also Self Assessment), if your annual turnover from a particular self-employment or property business is below the VAT registration threshold (currently \u00a390,000), you can choose to submit simplified quarterly updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of breaking your expenses down into detailed categories\u2014such as travel, premises, advertising, and so on\u2014you can simply report three figures: your total income, your total expenses, and your net profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s it. Three lines, hence the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a significant relief for anyone whose business is relatively straightforward. If you\u2019re a sole trader with turnover between \u00a350,000 and \u00a390,000 (or a landlord with rental income in that range), three-line accounts mean your quarterly updates become extremely simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need to agonise over whether a cost should sit in \u201cOffice, property and equipment\u201d or \u201cOther allowable business expenses.\u201d You just need a running total of what came in and what went out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s worth noting that you still need to keep proper digital records of your individual transactions\u2014the three-line simplification applies to what you report to HMRC in your quarterly updates, not to the underlying record-keeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So your accounting software will still track individual invoices and receipts. But when it comes time to press \u201csubmit,\u201d the quarterly update itself only needs to contain those three summary figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At year end, your digital tax return will still need the full breakdown of expenses by category (just as the current Self Assessment return does). But by then, your software will have been categorising transactions throughout the year, so the detailed figures should already be there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-mtd-quarterly-updates-what-they-are-and-what-they-re-not\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">MTD quarterly updates: What they are (and what they\u2019re not)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a common misunderstanding that quarterly updates are the same as filing four tax returns a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are not. A quarterly update is simply a summary of the income and expenses you\u2019ve already recorded in your software for that three-month period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC will then estimate how much tax it thinks you owe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s not a demand for payment, and it doesn\u2019t require you to claim reliefs or make adjustments. There are no inaccuracy penalties attached to quarterly updates either\u2014HMRC treats them as a summary of your transactions, not a tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re keeping your records up to date as you go\u2014even just spending ten minutes a week reviewing what\u2019s come in through your bank feed\u2014then submitting a quarterly update should take no more than a few minutes. Your software compiles the figures; you review and submit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The quarterly periods follow the tax year by default: Q1 runs from 6 April to 5 July, Q2 from 6 July to 5 October, Q3 from 6 October to 5 January, and Q4 from 6 January to 5 April. Each update is due by the 7th of the month after the quarter ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have more than one source of qualifying income\u2014say you\u2019re self-employed and you also rent out a property\u2014you\u2019ll need to send separate quarterly updates for each income source. However, you only submit one digital tax return at year end for all your income combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build a light weekly habit rather than leaving everything to the end of the quarter. Forward invoices or upload receipts as they come in, and once a month check that your bank transactions are matched and categorised. That way, when the quarterly deadline arrives, you\u2019re reviewing, not rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tip: You don&#8217;t have to wait to submit an update. You can do so as frequently as you wish. This is very good practice, because of that tax bill estimate HMRC will provide. You&#8217;ll get excellent insight into cash flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"working-with-accountant\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Working with an accountant or bookkeeper under MTD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already work with an accountant or bookkeeper, you might be wondering how MTD changes that relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The short answer is: it doesn\u2019t have to change much at all, but it\u2019s worth having a conversation about how you\u2019d like things to work going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-option-1-let-your-accountant-handle-everything\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 1: Let your accountant handle everything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your accountant can manage the entire MTD process on your behalf\u2014keeping your digital records, submitting your quarterly updates, and filing your digital tax return at year end. Many accountants are setting up exactly this kind of service for their clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main thing to be aware of is that this changes the rhythm of your working relationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Self Assessment, you might have gathered your records once a year and handed everything over in a single batch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under MTD, your accountant will need information from you every quarter. That means staying in touch at least four times a year, sharing receipts and invoices promptly, and responding to any queries your accountant has about your transactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The annual \u201cbox of receipts in January\u201d approach simply won\u2019t work anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is likely to affect fees, too. If your accountant was previously doing one piece of work a year, they\u2019re now doing at least five (four quarterly updates plus a tax return). It\u2019s worth discussing how their pricing will reflect the increased contact, and whether there are things you can do to keep costs down\u2014such as maintaining your own records in software your accountant can access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-option-2-split-the-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option 2: Split the work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A very popular approach\u2014and one that often works well for both sides\u2014is to split the responsibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You handle the day-to-day record-keeping and quarterly updates, while your accountant takes care of the year-end digital tax return with all its adjustments, reliefs, and calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This makes a lot of practical sense. The quarterly updates are straightforward: if your records are up to date in your software, submitting a quarterly update is usually a matter of reviewing the summary and clicking a button. There\u2019s no tax calculation involved, no reliefs to claim, and no accounting adjustments to make. Most people find they can handle this themselves without difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The digital tax return, on the other hand, is where the complexity sits. This is where your accountant\u2019s expertise really earns its keep\u2014making sure capital allowances are claimed correctly, that your personal allowance and any reliefs are applied, that other income sources like dividends and savings interest are reported accurately, and that the final tax calculation is right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By letting your accountant handle this piece, you get professional oversight where it matters most, while keeping the routine quarterly work (and its costs) in your own hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because you and your accountant can work from the same software and the same set of records, this shared approach is far easier to manage than it would have been under the old paper-based system. Your accountant can log into your accounting software, see exactly what you\u2019ve recorded, and pick up the year-end work without needing you to hand anything over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have an early conversation with your accountant about who will do what. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most cost-effective setup for many people is to keep their own records and submit quarterly updates themselves (it really is just a click or tap), and leave the digital tax return to their accountant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever you agree, make sure you\u2019re both using software that allows shared access to the same records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-if-you-don-t-currently-have-an-accountant\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you don\u2019t currently have an accountant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTD is perfectly manageable without one, especially if your affairs are straightforward. The software does the heavy lifting. But if your tax situation is at all complex\u2014multiple income sources, capital allowances, or anything beyond the basics\u2014this could be a good time to consider engaging an accountant, even if only for that year-end tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"choosing-mtd-software\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing MTD-compatible software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll need software that is recognised by HMRC as compatible with MTD for Income Tax. HMRC maintains a software finder tool at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/find-software-thats-compatible-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax\">GOV.UK<\/a> which lets you filter by your specific needs and get a personalised list of options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are broadly two types of software. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Full-service software<\/strong> handles everything in one place: digital record-keeping, quarterly updates, and your digital tax return. This is a basic description of cloud accounting software, as sold by software vendors like Sage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bridging software<\/strong> connects to records you keep elsewhere (such as a spreadsheet) and submits them to HMRC, though you\u2019ll still need to ensure those records meet the digital record-keeping requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most people, accounting software is the simpler and safer option. It keeps everything in one ecosystem and reduces the chance of something falling through the gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When evaluating software, consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does it handle your specific income types (self-employment, property, or both)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it handle multiple income streams (for example, if you run two or more sole trader businesses)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can it connect to your bank for automatic transaction imports?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it support receipt capture, either built-in or via an add-on like AutoEntry?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it cloud-based so you can access your records from anywhere?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it provide in-year tax estimates so you can see roughly what you\u2019ll owe?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have an accountant, can they access the same records so you can work together seamlessly?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perhaps most important, will it grow with your business? Some apps like Sage Accounting have simple plans for starting out, but then you can add in useful extra features like multicurrency support and payroll later\u2014all without having to learn new software, or migrate your data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-a-free-mtd-for-income-tax-option-for-sole-traders\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A free MTD for Income Tax option for sole traders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re a non-VAT-registered sole trader with fairly straightforward accounting needs, Sage offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/making-tax-digital\/sole-trader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage Sole Trader<\/a>\u2014a free, HMRC-recognised, MTD-ready accounting app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It covers digital record-keeping, receipt scanning, bank feeds, Self Assessment preparation, and quarterly MTD submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no billing and no time limit on the free plan. It\u2019s designed to be simple enough to use without any accounting expertise, making it a strong starting point for anyone who wants to get compliant without spending anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t overthink the software decision. Pick something that\u2019s HMRC-recognised, suits your income type, and feels intuitive to you. You can always upgrade later. The most important thing is to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-don-t-forget-your-2025-26-self-assessment-return\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t forget your 2025\/26 Self Assessment return<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a detail that catches people off guard. MTD for Income Tax applies from the 2026\/27 tax year. But the 2025\/26 tax year has only just ended (on 5 April 2026), and that year still needs to be reported in the traditional Self Assessment way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you file a paper return, the deadline is 31 October 2026. If you file online, the deadline is 31 January 2027. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The online Self Assessment filing window opens on 6 April 2026, so you can get it done early if you prefer\u2014and doing so is a smart idea, because it means you won\u2019t be juggling your first MTD quarterly updates at the same time as finishing your old-style tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is expected to be the last year you file a traditional Self Assessment return for your self-employment or property income. From 2026\/27 onwards, the digital tax return through your MTD software replaces it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If at all possible, file your 2025\/26 Self Assessment as early as you can after 6 April 2026. Getting it out of the way before your first quarterly update (due 7 August) means you avoid overlap and can focus entirely on the new MTD process. Plus, you get to know exactly how much tax you owe, so there\u2019s no need to keep guessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"payments-on-account-mtd\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Payments on account for MTD, and other Income Tax rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most common questions about MTD is whether it changes when or how you pay your tax. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer is straightforward: no, it doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If HMRC requires you to make payments on account\u2014which applies when your Self Assessment bill is above a certain threshold\u2014those payments continue exactly as before. You\u2019ll still make two payments on account each year, on 31 January and 31 July, each set at 50% of your previous year\u2019s tax liability. A balancing payment (or refund) follows once your actual liability is calculated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The quarterly updates you send under MTD are reporting updates, not payment demands. You do not pay tax when you submit a quarterly update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, none of the underlying rules of Income Tax are changing. The way you calculate your profits, claim expenses, apply capital allowances, and use personal allowances is all exactly the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTD is about digitising the way you keep records and report to HMRC, not rewriting the tax code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One genuinely useful side effect of MTD is that because your records are more up to date, your software can give you a running estimate of your tax liability throughout the year. Use this to budget for your payments on account\u2014no more January surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"mtd-soft-landing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The soft landing: HMRC\u2019s first-year leniency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC has confirmed a \u201csoft landing\u201d for the first year of MTD for Income Tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the 2026\/27 tax year, no penalty points will be issued for late quarterly updates. This means that even if you miss one (or all four) of your quarterly deadlines in this first year, you won\u2019t receive penalty points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, there are important caveats. The soft landing does not apply to your digital tax return. If you submit your 2026\/27 digital tax return late (after 31 January 2028), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/hmrc-penalty-making-tax-digital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">penalty points may apply<\/a> under the standard rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The soft landing also does not protect against late payment penalties, which operate on a separate regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the 2027\/28 tax year onwards, the points-based penalty system kicks in fully. Each late quarterly update earns a penalty point. Once you accumulate four points, you receive a \u00a3200 fine. Points can only be cleared after 12 months of on-time submissions and once all returns due in the previous 24 months have been filed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t treat the soft landing as an excuse to ignore deadlines. Use it as what it is: breathing room to get your processes right. Aim to hit every deadline from the start, but take comfort in knowing that a slip in this first year won\u2019t cost you financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-final-thoughts-and-next-steps\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thoughts and next steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MTD for Income Tax is a significant change in how you interact with HMRC, but it is not a change in how much tax you owe or how your business operates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the initial setup is done, the ongoing workload is genuinely modest\u2014especially if you adopt good habits early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what to do in the coming weeks and months:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Today: <\/strong>Choose your MTD-compatible software. If you\u2019re a non-VAT-registered sole trader, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/making-tax-digital\/sole-trader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage Sole Trader<\/a> is free and ready to go. Sign up, connect your bank account, and familiarise yourself with the interface. If you\u2019re already using accounting software, check to see if it\u2019s MTD-compatible\u2014and switch on the feature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This week: <\/strong>Sign up for MTD with HMRC if you haven\u2019t already. Start recording your income and expenses digitally from 6 April onwards (or 1 April if you use the calendar month for accounting). If you have an accountant or bookkeeper, now is the time to have a conversation about how you\u2019ll work together under MTD. Will they handle everything, or will you take on the quarterly updates yourself and leave the digital tax return to them? Agreeing this early avoids confusion later.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The run up to August&#8217;s first update deadline (7th): <\/strong>Get into a rhythm of keeping your records current. A few minutes a week categorising bank transactions is all it takes. If your turnover is below \u00a390,000, check whether you can use three-line accounts for your quarterly updates\u2014it simplifies things considerably. Your first quarterly update is due on 7 August 2026.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Before January 2027: <\/strong>File your 2025\/26 Self Assessment return. Ideally, do this as early as possible so you\u2019re not managing old and new obligations at the same time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And above all, remember that MTD is designed to make tax simpler in the long run. Better records mean fewer mistakes. More regular reporting means fewer surprises. And digital tools mean less time buried in admin and more time doing what you actually love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ve got this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049128339\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does MTD for Income Tax change how much tax I pay?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. MTD changes how you report your income and how often, but the underlying rules of Income Tax remain exactly the same. Your expenses, allowances, and payment deadlines are all unaffected.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049150809\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need to submit four full tax returns a year?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Quarterly updates are simply summaries of the income and expenses you&#8217;ve already recorded in your software. There&#8217;s no reliefs to claim at that point, and no penalties for inaccuracies.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049178481\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can I still use a spreadsheet to keep my records?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It requires care and attention to the digital linking rules. Once MTD data has been entered into software it must be transferred digitally\u2014and a quirk of the rules is that you are not allowed to copy figures from a spreadsheet and paste or type them into your accounting software. For most people, dedicated accounting software is just the simpler and safer option because everything is in one place. No copying and pasting required. Of course, there&#8217;s no reason why you can&#8217;t continue to use spreadsheets for non-MTD data, like stock control or payroll, and so forth. In other words, there&#8217;s no prohibition against spreadsheets in the MTD rules.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049197307\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What happens if I miss a quarterly deadline in the first year (2026-27)?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">HMRC has confirmed a soft landing for 2026\/27, meaning no penalty points will be issued for late quarterly updates that year. However, this does not apply to your digital tax return, and late payment penalties still apply as normal.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049229394\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do I need to sign up for MTD for Income Tax separately?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Sign-up is not automatic, even if HMRC has written to you, and it&#8217;s separate from MTD for VAT. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/sign-up-your-business-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sign up through your Government Gateway account<\/a>, or your accountant can do it on your behalf.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049252296\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do I still need to file a Self Assessment return?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, but only one more. The 2025\/26 tax year still requires a traditional Self Assessment return, due by 31 January 2027 if filing online. For most people, this will be the last one\u2014from 2026\/27 onwards, a digital tax return through your MTD software replaces it.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049270160\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What if I have more than one source of income?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You&#8217;ll need to submit separate quarterly updates for each income source\u2014for example, one for self-employment and one for rental income. If you have two sources of sole trader income, then that&#8217;s two quarterly updates every three months. However, you only submit a single digital tax return at year end, covering all your income combined.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775049293711\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Does MTD change my relationship with my accountant?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It changes the rhythm. Assuming they handle MTD for you, rather than handing over records once a year, you&#8217;ll need to share information every quarter. Many people choose to handle the quarterly updates themselves and leave the more complex year-end digital tax return to their accountant.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775120844984\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are EOPS in MTD for Income Tax? I keep reading about them, but why is nobody discussing them?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">EOPS were &#8220;end of period statements&#8221;\u2014an old and now abandoned requirement of MTD for Income Tax. You can ignore any mention of EOPS. It&#8217;s simply that some online sources (including some AI chatbots) haven&#8217;t been updated and are showing old information. <\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775120892858\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s a final declaration for MTD for Income Tax?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">This is just another way of referring to the digital tax return you must submit according to MTD&#8217;s rules, by 31 January following the end of the tax year.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775121052872\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s &#8220;crystallisation&#8221; in MTD for Income Tax?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">For sole traders and landlords, this is just another way of referring to the digital tax return you must submit according to MTD&#8217;s rules, by 31 January following the end of the tax year. You may hear accountants and bookkeepers using the term and it simply means bringing everything together (crystallising) in order to complete the tax return. This could include things like savings or pension interest on top of the income and expenditure you&#8217;ve been reporting throughout the year via quarterly updates.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">MTD: Your business survival guide<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Your real world guide to using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in April 2026, April 2027 or April 2028. For sole traders, landlords, freelancers, side-hustlers\u2014and more.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-d74b8314-e3b1-4385-9b30-51a7de0ca091\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Get MTD for Income Tax: The business survival guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_565116862-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"A business woman successfully navigating MTD for Income Tax\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/08\/AdobeStock_565116862-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/mtd-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaking Tax Digital for businesses\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaking Tax Digital for Income Tax\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-31363 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-mtd-business tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax business_type-small-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1207391933-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1207391933-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1207391933-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1207391933-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-08T09:00:00+01:00\">8 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-quarterly-updates-listicle\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t10 tips and tricks for your MTD quarterly update\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tNeed to submit an MTD for Income Tax update? These 10 little-known hints and facts could save you time and effort\u2014and reduce the stress, too!\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-31395 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-bookkeeping tag-mtd-business tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-quarterly-updates-supercharge-your-business\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/mtd-tricks-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A small business person working on MTD\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/mtd-tricks-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/mtd-tricks-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/07\/mtd-tricks-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-08T09:00:00+01:00\">8 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow MTD quarterly updates can supercharge your business. Yes, really.\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-30636 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-strategy-legal-operations tag-mtd-business tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-quarterly-update\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_737875163-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Man at a desk working through papers on a computer\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_737875163-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_737875163-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_737875163-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-08T09:00:00+01:00\">8 August, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">19 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tMTD quarterly updates: Everything you need to know\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-10151 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-mtd-business tag-need-to-know tag-tax tag-vat business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-for-vat-business-tame-tax\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1166663659-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1166663659-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1166663659-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1166663659-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-31T10:48:56+01:00\">31 July, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tMaking Tax Digital: how MTD for VAT helps your business tame tax\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-10038 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-mtd-business tag-need-to-know tag-tax business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/mtd-income-tax-needs-to-know\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1413633547-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Checking products to sell to customers\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1413633547-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1413633547-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1413633547-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-07-31T10:20:19+01:00\">31 July, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t6 things you need to know about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A practical, no-fuss crash course in getting things right \u2014 and making the most of digital tax.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":280,"featured_media":16410,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"6","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[30,343],"business_type":[4],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73],"imagine_tag":[142,334,170,727],"coauthors":[369],"class_list":["post-29376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-mtd-business","tag-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax","business_type-small-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Keir Thomas-Bryant","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1350038104.jpg","imagine_tags":{"142":"Making Tax Digital for businesses","334":"Making tax digital for income tax","170":"Self Assessment","727":"Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/280"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29376"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31605,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29376\/revisions\/31605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/16410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=29376"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=29376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}