MTD quarterly updates, explained
The biggest practical change under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is the rhythm: instead of one annual Self Assessment return, you send HMRC four quarterly updates and then a final declaration. Here's what each one is, when they're due, and why it's less work than it sounds.
What a quarterly update actually is
A quarterly update is a cumulative summaryof your business income and expenses, sent straight from compatible software. It isn't a mini tax return — there's no tax to calculate or pay at that point, and you don't have to get every figure final. You're giving HMRC a running picture of how the year is going.
The four update periods
These are the standard quarters and their submission deadlines:
| Update | Period covered | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 6 April – 5 July | 7 August |
| Quarter 2 | 6 July – 5 October | 7 November |
| Quarter 3 | 6 October – 5 January | 7 February |
| Quarter 4 | 6 January – 5 April | 7 May |
You can elect to use calendar quarters (periods ending 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March) instead, which keep the same deadlines. Confirm the current dates on GOV.UK.
The final declaration
After the tax year you submit a final declaration. This is where the year is finalised: you confirm your business figures and add anything else — employment income, dividends, savings interest, reliefs and allowances. For your self-employment and property income, the four updates plus this declaration replace the old Self Assessment return.
Why it's less work than it sounds
Because the updates are cumulative summaries rather than final accounts, the burden depends almost entirely on whether you keep records as you go. If your spreadsheet or software is kept up to date, each update is a quick send. Leave it all to the deadline and you create the very scramble MTD is meant to remove.
When this starts for you
The quarterly rhythm begins on your mandation date, which is phased in by income (April 2026 (£50k+), then April 2027 (£30k+), then April 2028 (£20k+)). Check the deadlines & who's affected page for your exact start date, and the finder for the cheapest recognised tool that can send these updates for you.
Frequently asked questions
- How many updates do I send a year?
- Four quarterly updates, plus a final declaration after the tax year ends. The quarterly updates are running totals of your income and expenses; the final declaration confirms the year and is where any other income and reliefs are brought in.
- What are the quarterly update deadlines?
- On the standard quarters the deadlines are 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. There's an option to use calendar quarters instead, which keeps the same deadlines. Always confirm the current dates on GOV.UK.
- Do quarterly updates replace my tax return?
- For your self-employment and property income, the four updates plus the final declaration take the place of the Self Assessment return. Any other income — employment, dividends, savings — is reported in the final declaration as usual.
- Does each update have to be perfect?
- No. Quarterly updates are cumulative summaries, not your final figures — you fix and refine in the next update or at the final declaration. Adjustments, reliefs and allowances are dealt with at year end, so a quarterly update is mostly a quick send from your software.
Keep reading
Update periods and deadlines reflect HMRC's standard quarters; confirm the current dates on GOV.UK. This is general information, not tax advice — confirm your own position with HMRC or a qualified accountant.