Making Tax Digital deadlines: every date landlords need (2026 to 2029)

By Jorge Ruete Veramendi · Last updated 14 November 2026

In short: Making Tax Digital quarterly updates are due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. The tax return is due by 31 January after the tax year ends. Making Tax Digital starts on 6 April 2026, 2027 or 2028, depending on your income. Find your start date with our free MTD checker.

What are the Making Tax Digital quarterly deadlines?

Making Tax Digital quarterly updates are due on the 7th of the month after each quarter ends. Landlords send four quarterly updates every tax year, then one tax return.

Each quarterly update is cumulative. Each update covers the tax year from 6 April up to the end of that quarter, so landlords can correct earlier figures in the next update.

Standard quarters are the default. Landlords can choose calendar quarters only before sending their first update of the tax year.

When is my first Making Tax Digital deadline?

The first Making Tax Digital deadline depends on the year you must start. Your start date depends on your qualifying income: rental and self-employment income before expenses.

👉 Not sure which row is yours? Our Making Tax Digital checker gives you your start date and all four deadlines in 30 seconds.

Every Making Tax Digital deadline, year by year

2026 to 2027 tax year (landlords over £50,000)

• 7 August 2026: quarterly update 1
• 7 November 2026: quarterly update 2
• 7 February 2027: quarterly update 3
• 7 May 2027: quarterly update 4
• 31 January 2028: tax return for 2026 to 2027

2027 to 2028 tax year (landlords over £30,000 join)

• 7 August 2027: quarterly update 1
• 7 November 2027: quarterly update 2
• 7 February 2028: quarterly update 3
• 7 May 2028: quarterly update 4
• 31 January 2029: tax return for 2027 to 2028

2028 to 2029 tax year (landlords over £20,000 join)

• 7 August 2028: quarterly update 1
• 7 November 2028: quarterly update 2
• 7 February 2029: quarterly update 3
• 7 May 2029: quarterly update 4
• 31 January 2030: tax return for 2028 to 2029

When is the Making Tax Digital tax return due?

The Making Tax Digital tax return is due by 31 January following the end of the tax year. Landlords submit the tax return through their software, and can submit it earlier.

Landlords must send all quarterly updates before the software lets them submit the tax return. Software that only sends quarterly updates needs a second tool for the tax return, so check this before you choose. Our MTD software comparison for landlords shows which tools file the tax return.

Does Making Tax Digital change when I pay tax?

No. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax does not change how landlords pay tax or when payments are due. Quarterly updates are reports of income and expenses, not payments.

Self Assessment payments stay the same: the balance is due by 31 January, and any payments on account are due by 31 January and 31 July.

What happens if I miss a Making Tax Digital deadline?

Missing a Making Tax Digital deadline can lead to penalty points, depending on the tax year:

• 2026 to 2027: HMRC will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates. Late tax returns still earn penalty points.
• From 2027 to 2028: each late quarterly update earns a penalty point. At 4 points, HMRC charges a £200 penalty.

Paying tax late has separate penalties, which grow the longer the tax stays unpaid.

When should I sign up for Making Tax Digital?

Landlords who must use Making Tax Digital should sign up before their start date. HMRC asks landlords who need it for the 2026 to 2027 tax year to sign up now, and said it would begin signing up people who had not registered themselves from September 2026.

Landlords can also sign up voluntarily before they need to, for the current or the next tax year. To sign up, you must be registered for Self Assessment and have sent a tax return in the last two years.

The bottom line

Put four dates in your calendar every year: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May, plus 31 January for the tax return. Landlords starting on 6 April 2027 should choose their software before then, because late quarterly updates earn penalty points from that year.

This is general information, not tax advice. Check the official guidance on GOV.UK or speak to a qualified accountant about your situation.