How to Submit a Quarterly Update in ThisQuarter
Step-by-step guide to filing an MTD for Income Tax quarterly update in ThisQuarter — from entering or importing your figures to confirming and submitting to HMRC.
The short answer
To submit a quarterly update in ThisQuarter, select the client and business, enter or import your income and expenses for the quarter, check the figures on the review step and confirm you've checked them, then click Submit to HMRC. ThisQuarter sends the cumulative update for the open quarter and stores HMRC's receipt (correlation ID) as proof of submission.
Filing a quarterly update is the routine, every-three-months part of Making Tax Digital. Here's how to do it in ThisQuarter from start to finish.
Before you start
Make sure you've:
- Connected to HMRC (see the guide on connecting ThisQuarter to HMRC), and
- for agents, that the client has accepted your authorisation.
Then open the Obligations screen for the client to see which quarter is open and when it's due.
Step by step
- Select the client and business. Pick the self-employment, UK property or foreign property source you're filing for. ThisQuarter shows the open period and deadline.
- Enter or import your figures. In Data Entry, type your income and
expenses for the quarter, or import from Excel/CSV. Choose the expense
style that fits:
- Consolidated — a single expenses figure (only allowed below the VAT turnover threshold; ThisQuarter flags you if you exceed it).
- Full / itemised — each category entered separately, with its disallowable portion.
- Review every figure. The review step shows each field and its source (typed vs imported). ThisQuarter preserves the difference between "not entered" and an explicit 0.00, because HMRC treats them differently.
- Confirm you've checked the figures. Tick "I have checked these figures" — submission stays disabled until you do.
- Submit to HMRC. ThisQuarter sends the cumulative update for the open period and stores HMRC's receipt (correlation ID) as proof.
Understanding cumulative updates
MTD quarterly updates are year-to-date, not standalone. You report the period's figures and ThisQuarter submits the correct running total. If you spot a mistake, you can submit an amended update for the same period before the year is finalised — there's no need to wait until year end to fix a number.
Quarterly updates cover income and expenses only. Annual adjustments, allowances, BSAS and CIS all come later, at or before the final declaration.
Proof of submission
Every submission is logged. ThisQuarter keeps HMRC's correlation ID and can export a full submission log (the request sent and HMRC's response) so you have durable proof for your records or a support query. You can also re-retrieve what HMRC currently holds for the period to confirm it matches.
What's next
After your fourth quarterly update, you move on to annual adjustments and BSAS, then the final declaration that replaces the old SA100. See the related guides for each of those steps.
Step by step
- 1
Select the client and business
Open the client and choose the business (self-employment, UK property or foreign property) you're filing for. ThisQuarter shows the open obligation period and its deadline.
- 2
Enter or import your figures
In Data Entry, type your income and expenses for the quarter, or import them from an Excel/CSV file. Choose consolidated or full itemised expenses depending on your turnover.
- 3
Review every figure
On the review step, check each field and its source (typed or imported). ThisQuarter distinguishes 'not entered' from an explicit zero, because HMRC treats them differently.
- 4
Confirm you've checked the figures
Tick the 'I have checked these figures' confirmation. This is required before submission is enabled, so nothing goes to HMRC unchecked.
- 5
Submit to HMRC
Click Submit. ThisQuarter sends the cumulative update for the open period and records HMRC's receipt (correlation ID) so you have proof of submission.
Frequently asked questions
When is a quarterly update due?
The four standard quarters end 5 Jul, 5 Oct, 5 Jan and 5 Apr, with filing deadlines of 7 Aug, 7 Nov, 7 Feb and 7 May respectively. ThisQuarter shows the open period and its deadline for each business on the Obligations screen.
Are quarterly updates cumulative?
Yes. Each update is a running year-to-date total for the business, not just that quarter in isolation. ThisQuarter handles this — you enter the period's figures and it submits the correct cumulative position.
Can I correct a figure after submitting?
Yes. Because updates are cumulative, you can submit an amended update for the same period before the year is finalised. Final adjustments and the final declaration happen after the tax year ends.
Do I enter CIS deductions here?
No. Quarterly updates cover income and expenses only. CIS deductions are viewed separately and credited at the final declaration stage.
Can I import from a spreadsheet?
Yes. ThisQuarter supports Excel and CSV import with label-matched fields, so you can bring figures straight in from a bookkeeping spreadsheet rather than retyping them.