Making Tax Digital (MTD) made simple: what SMEs need to know

UMNIII branded card for the article explaining Making Tax Digital for small and medium businesses

A quick guide to logging transactions, staying VAT-compliant, and filing on time without spreadsheet chaos.

UMNIII keeps records tidy and submissions seamless so you can focus on work, not admin.

What changes with MTD?

Digital records, timely VAT submissions, and clearer audit trails.

  • Organised digital records
  • Seamless VAT submissions
  • Less manual error
Upcoming deadlines you should know

For many small businesses and landlords, the major change arrives from 6 April 2026: if your gross income from self-employment and/or property is more than £50,000, you’ll need to use recognised digital software to keep records and send quarterly updates under MTD. After that, the thresholds reduce to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.

Once you’re in the scheme, you’ll submit summary updates at set intervals. For example:

  • 6 Apr – 5 Jul → due 7 Aug
  • 6 Apr – 5 Oct → due 7 Nov
  • 6 Apr – 5 Jan → due 7 Feb
  • 6 Apr – 5 Apr → due 7 May

Missing these deadlines can lead to penalty points and fines, so preparing early matters. The good news is that MTD makes end-of-year submissions far smoother, with real-time data and fewer manual spreadsheets, you stay ahead all year.