How to Sign Up for MTD for Income Tax: Step by Step

Signing up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is a one-time setup. Once you're in, you file digitally through software rather than doing an annual return. Here's exactly what to do.

Before you start: what you need

• A Government Gateway user ID and password (the same login you use for Self Assessment). If you don't have one, you can create it during sign-up.
• Your National Insurance number.
• Your business details — start date, and whether you have self-employment income, UK property income, or both.
• MTD-compatible software ready to connect.

Step 1: Confirm you're in scope

Check your gross qualifying income (self-employment plus property, before expenses) against the threshold — over £50,000 for 2026/27. If you're under it, you can still join voluntarily, but you're not required to yet.

Step 2: Choose your software first

Sign-up and filing both run through software, so pick it before you register. Look for something that:

• is listed by HMRC as compatible;
• matches how you keep records (full bookkeeping vs. importing a spreadsheet);
• handles your income types (self-employment, UK and foreign property, CIS).

Step 3: Register for MTD

You can register in one of three ways:

1. Directly with HMRC through your Government Gateway account.
2. Through your software, if it offers guided sign-up.
3. Via your accountant, who registers you as their authorised client.

You'll confirm your income sources and the date you want MTD to start.

Step 4: Connect your software to HMRC

The first time you file, your software sends you to HMRC's own login and consent screen. You sign in and grant access — the software never sees your Government Gateway password. After that, it can pull your obligations and submit updates for you.

Step 5: File your first quarterly update

Once connected, your software shows your obligations — the open quarters and their deadlines. Enter or import your figures, review them, and submit.

Tip: sign up and connect before your first quarter closes, so your first deadline (7 August for Q1) isn't a rush.

If you use an accountant

Your accountant will need you to authorise them as your agent through HMRC. Once that's done, they can sign you up and file everything for you — you just supply the figures or records.

Key takeaways

• You need a Government Gateway login, your NI number, and compatible software to sign up.
• Register directly, through software, or via your accountant.
• Connecting to HMRC uses HMRC's own login — your password stays with HMRC.
• Do it early so your first quarterly deadline isn't a scramble.

This article is general information, not tax advice. Check the latest sign-up steps at gov.uk or speak to your accountant.