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MTD guidance and resources

Making Tax Digital support hub

Get expert MTD support at every stage. Explore step-by-step guidance, explainer videos, curated articles and more to get MTD-ready. 
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Making Tax Digital explained for sole traders

Understand how MTD works, what you'll need to do, and how digital record keeping can help make tax management simpler.

Your MTD questions answered

Everything else you need to know

The changes that come with MTD can feel intimidating but it's easy when you know how. Explore our resources that help answer your biggest questions on going digital.

How do I prepare for MTD as an accountant?

Discover our Operational Checklist to see what you need to know before you price for MTD for Income Tax.
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What are the top myths about MTD?

MTD mythbuster: 8 myths about Making Tax Digital dispelled.
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How do I handle expenses?

Allowable expenses for self-employed UK: A practical guide.
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How do I choose MTD software?

What is MTD compatible, MTD approved or MTD ready software?
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How does MTD help me?

Why Making Tax Digital for Income Tax makes life easier for your business.
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How do I register for MTD?

How to sign up and register for Making Tax Digital for VAT.
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MTD for Income Tax news, advice, and more

Find news and advice to discover more about MTD for Income Tax, what it means for you, and make quarterly tax returns stress-free.
Money Matters
Two people walking through an office building while reviewing information on a tablet

MTD for Income Tax: What accountants and clients need to do

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has started. Here’s what accountants need to know so they can support their clients.
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Money Matters

MTD for Income Tax: What Making Tax Digital means for sole traders

MTD for Income Tax began in April 2026. Catch-up here with the requirements and rules, and discover what you have to do to get ready for key deadlines.
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Money Matters
Person seated in an armchair using a tablet in a modern office

MTD digital links explained: Avoid penalties, understand how to move data

Transferring key accounting data from one place to another isn’t quite as simple as you might think with Making Tax Digital. Here’s what you need to know.
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Money Matters
Person using a spirit level to check alignment on a wooden structure in a workshop

Am I excluded or digitally exempt from MTD for Income Tax?

Unsure if MTD for Income Tax applies to you? Our easy to follow FAQ explains who's exempt and how UK small businesses can apply.
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How accounting software helps sole traders

“As a new sole trader it was a lot of work. Sage has made things so much easier for me!” 

Knittingmama

“I’m saving 72 hours a year since moving to digital tax returns with Sage!”

Charlotte Thomas
​CreatedbyLottie

“Sage Sole Trader is less complicated than what I was using before. It's much more suited to a micro business like mine.”

Jacqueline Talbot
Jacqueline Talbot Designs

“I’ve only just started using Sage Sole Trader with the introduction of MTD and intend to subscribe to the full version so I can add my bank accounts etc but from what I’ve seen so far it looks great, and is very competitively priced which, as a Solo Trader makes a big difference to operating costs.”

Colin Slack
Colin the Designer

“I switched to Sage Sole Trader in November 2025, I’ve found their cloud based solution perfect for me as a sole trader. The transition to Sage from my previous solution was simple, the user interface very intuitive and now makes my accounts so simple to do daily, allowing me to focus on my business.”

Gary Adams
MLA Services

“Doing my taxes digitally moving forward is going to halve the amount of time I spend on my financial admin.”

Heather Moor
Princess one Snow Princess Parties

Need tailored guidance?

If you're a sole trader, landlord, accountant or bookkeeper and need to get started with finding software that works for you, you can get tailored guidance with Sage.

I'm a sole trader

MTD for Sole Traders

I'm a landlord

MTD for landlords

I'm an accountant or bookkeeper

MTD for accountants and bookkeepers

Ready to find your MTD solution? Discover Sage Sole Trader

Get a free MTD-ready solution, Sage Sole Trader. Whether you're getting started or making the switch to a new software provider, Sage Sole Trader has all the features you need.

  • Set up quickly
  • Get paid easily
  • Keep secure digital records
  • Sort tax, updates, and Self Assessment on time 
Get Sage Sole Trader

Making tax digital support FAQs

You can get Making Tax Digital support from Sage within the MTD hub. This resource centre has free guides, video walkthroughs and troubleshooting content for every stage. From finding out if you qualify for MTD to registering with HMRC and fixing a failed submission - Sage has you covered. We also have a free MTD-ready product, Sage Sole Trader, to assist with every step required. If you're already Sage customer, live chat and phone support are also available.

To check that your accounting software is MTD compatible, you must ensure it connects directly to HMRCsystems to submit MTD updates. Most modern cloud accounting software, including Sage Accounting and Sage Sole Trader, is MTD-compatible by default. Check your provider's MTD status page if you're unsure.

If you miss an MTD deadline, HMRC will apply penalty points for late quarterly updates. This will result in a fine once you reach the threshold. If you've missed a deadline, submit as soon as possible and contact HMRC if you need to explain the delay.

You will need to register with HMRC for MTD. HMRC has a dedicated Making Tax Digital support line and online help for registration, submission and penalty queries. Sage can help with software-specific issues, but account-specific queries need to go to HMRC directly.

The most common causes of failed MTD submissions are expired HMRC authorisation, incorrect figures, or a software connection issue. Please see our MTD resources and guidance page for video walkthroughs on how to correct these issues in your software.

MTD for Income Tax is compulsory for non-VAT registered sole traders and landlords from specific dates in 2026, 2027, and 2028, depending on income thresholds. MTD will become mandatory in these stages and will be based on your qualifying income from self-employment and property. Check the current thresholds and deadlines to see when MTD applies to you.