search icon

Simple free MTD software for landlords

MTD for landlords
It's simpler than it looks

MTD doesn’t have to mean more work. Get MTD-ready in minutes with an all-in-one landlord solution. Track as you go and cut out the last-minute tax panic.

App screens showing transactions being sorted, a tax update reminder, and a real-time HMRC tax estimate.
With 40+ years of experience, Sage is trusted by 1000s of landlords

What is Making Tax Digital for landlords?

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is HMRC’s move to digitise the Self Assessment process. You’ll still pay your tax at year-end, but the way you submit information becomes digital and more frequent.

From April 2026, landlords earning over £50,000 will need to use MTD-compatible software to:

  • Keep your property income and expenses as digital records.
  • Send quarterly updates to HMRC.
  • Finalise and submit your end-of-year return.

Making Tax Digital with Sage makes tax manageable

Making Tax Digital software for landlords

MTD and Sage software can relieve the common tax admin headaches that landlords experience today.

No more January tax panic

Digital records and regular HMRC updates mean your January return is already complete and ready to check.

No unexpected tax bills

Digital records and regular HMRC updates give you up-to-date tax estimates, so you always know what you’ll owe.

Work smarter, together

Whether you work alone or with an accountant, you can easily review every submission to ensure you always pay the correct tax.

Get MTD under control in 3 simple steps

Start today and get your tax in order. All it takes is 3 simple steps to get set up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Record and sort

  • Automatically capture your income, expenses, and receipts, then let Sage categorise them as they come in.
  • No more missed transactions, receipts, or manual entry.
  • Instant digital records ready for MTD updates and business insights.

Review and update

Review and send accurate updates and receive up-to-date tax estimates.

  • No surprise tax bills thanks to frequent, clear estimates.
  • January becomes stress-free with records updated all year.
  • You are always in control of what you submit.

Submit and pay

Submit your final return with confidence, supported by accurate updates all year and a tax pot built from real, up-to-date estimates.

  • No surprise tax bills or last-minute January stress.
  • Less admin and more control when it’s time to file.
  • Pay exactly what you owe on time, with money set aside and ready.

Get started for free today with MTD software for landlords

Getting MTD-ready doesn’t need to cost you more time or money. Get started in minutes. No long term contracts, no hidden fees.

Most popular

Sole Trader Free

Ideal for <strong>non-VAT</strong> registered sole traders wanting to simplify manual record keeping and taxes.
Free
No hidden charges
Completely free, no billing.

Sole Trader

Ideal for <strong>non-VAT</strong> registered sole traders wanting to manage self assessment and cashflow.
per month / excl. 20% VAT*
Get 3 months free

No contract · cancel or downgrade anytime

*Get 3 months free on Sage Sole Trader, then £7 per month (excluding VAT). Terms and conditions apply.

How will MTD for Income Tax help me?

See how our software helps sole traders, landlords, and accounting clients stay compliant, prepped for Income Tax Self Assessment, and saves on time.

"Doing my taxes digitally moving forward is going to halve the amount of time I spend on my financial admin. I would urge other business owners not to be scared about moving to digital tax returns. Making Tax Digital is without a doubt going to be beneficial."

Heather Moor
Princess one Snow Princess Parties

“I’m saving 72 hours a year since moving to digital tax returns with Sage! It takes me a fraction of the time to tally everything up. Once you make the switch, it will save so much time”

Charlotte Thomas
CreatedbyLottie

"It's just really simple, I’ve also gained the peace of mind of knowing that it's not all down to me to add everything up”

Helene Fleming
Highland Healing Space

“Submitting your business updates on a more regular basis will make you aware of how much you’ll owe and make budgeting easier. Sorting my taxes digitally has been like having a fairy godmother for my tax admin.” 

Heather Moor
Princess one Snow Princess Parties

“The last thing business owners wanted to hear [during Covid] was, ‘you now need to digitise your records’. We knew we would need the help of Sage Accounting for this task.”

Maylynda Pacitti
Pacitti Hamilton

“Sage Accounting is life changing. It's cost effective, it's flexible, and really, I’d say ‘can you afford not to have Sage Accounting?”

Maylynda Pacitti
Pacitti Hamilton

“We have saved at least 10 hours a month on data input being able to use auto entry with sage. Being cloud based and working from home I can use Sage anywhere, anytime. This has made a big difference.”

Heather Morris
A&B Plumbing & Heating

“Sage Accounting has streamlined our whole business and saved us so much time and frustration! It has also made.”

Donna Reekie
Accurate Cooling Services (London) Ltd.

“I think the fact you can almost be your own accountant with Sage, it just makes it amazing - Sage works great for me.”

Sarah Barnes
Who Lets Your Dogs Out

“Sage Accounting just makes my accounts, invoicing, expense management seamless and easy! It saves me 4 hours a week, so probably £20k a year, which is a lot for a one man band business!”

Richard Briars
Beanz Consulting Limited

More MTD info and advice for landlords

Explainer video

How to get started with MTD

Watch our short video where we explain how to get started simply and easily.
Sage Advice article

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for landlords: Answers to frequently asked questions

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will affect landlords from 6 April 2026. Discover what you need to know now, so you’re ready.

Sage Advice article

Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital: What MTD for Income Tax means for landlords

Is it really the end of Self Assessment for landlords? Discover how property income will be affected by Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Sage Advice article

5 reasons to start Making Tax Digital for Income Tax early

The MTD for Income Tax mandation date is looming for many landlords and sole traders. Here are the five reasons you should start now.

Sage Advice article

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax explained (free guide)

Discover everything you need to know about MTD for Income Tax and get your business ready for changes coming from April 2026.

Sage Advice article

6 things you need to know about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

Need help understanding what Making Tax Digital for Income Tax will mean for your business? These insights will get you up to speed.

MTD for landlords FAQs

The start dates for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax depends on how much you earn. You’ll need to add together all property and business income to calculate your income for Making Tax Digital:

From 6 April 2026: If your income is over £50,000
From 6 April 2027: If your income is over £30,000
From 6 April 2028: If your income is over £20,000

Tip: Check your latest tax return so you know when to get ready for MTD.

Right now, signing up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is voluntary. But getting ahead of the deadline can save you stress later.

To sign up, you’ll need HMRC-recognised software and an active Self Assessment account. Instead of registering on the HMRC website, you’ll do it through your cloud-based software.

Signing up early gives you time to get familiar with digital tax reporting for rental income, so when MTD becomes mandatory, you’re already compliant.

Read the HMRC guidance to learn more about signing up for MTD for Income Tax.

Yes. You’ll have to sign up ahead of your MTD deadlines. Speak to your accountant or bookkeeper about signing up for MTD for Income Tax.

Yes. Landlords can manage Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax without an accountant. However, you must use MTD-compatible software for record-keeping and submissions. Manual copy-and-paste from spreadsheets isn’t allowed under MTD rules.

If you’re a landlord earning at least £50,000 from property, you’ll need to follow the MTD rules from April 2026. Buy-to-let landlords, Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHLs), non-UK property and commercial property all fall within the scope of MTD for IT. Joint landlords must comply with MTD for IT where their share of the income exceeds £50,000.

Whether you’re receiving rental income from one property or multiple properties, if it’s more than £50,000 a year in total, you must comply with MTD for IT. When it comes to Making Tax Digital, rental income and business income both count towards the threshold.

In April 2027, the income threshold will be lowered to £30,000, and all landlords earning above this amount annually will need to comply with MTD for IT rules.

Most landlords will need to follow Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax rules, but there are some exceptions.

You are automatically exempt if:

  • You earn below the MTD income threshold.
  • You receive income from shares in a real estate investment trust (REIT).
  • You own properties through a limited company. Landlords will continue sending limited company accounts and company tax returns to HMRC and Companies House.

You may qualify for an exemption if you cannot use digital tools because of age, disability, location, religion, or another HMRC-approved reason. If this applies to you, you’ll need to contact HMRC and apply for an exemption.

Ready to get started for free?

Get started today

Choose from MTD-ready solutions and start transforming your tax admin today.