MTD Quarterly Submissions: What You Need to Send

Introduction

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) introduces quarterly updates for many sole traders and landlords. These updates are shorter than a full tax return, but they are still formal submissions to HMRC.

This guide explains what a quarterly update is, what data is included, and the current timetable for submissions.

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What is a quarterly update?

A quarterly update is a summary of your income and expenses for a specific period, submitted through MTD compatible software. It gives HMRC a near real-time view of your business activity.

Quarterly updates are not your final tax return. You still submit an End of Period Statement (EOPS) and a final declaration after the tax year ends.

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What goes into each update?

Quarterly updates typically include:

• total income for the period
• total expenses by category
• basic adjustments where applicable

You do not need to submit full accounts every quarter. If you discover an error later, you can correct it in a future update or in your end-of-year declaration.

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When are updates due?

HMRC's current plan aligns quarterly periods to the UK tax year:

• 6 April to 5 July
• 6 July to 5 October
• 6 October to 5 January
• 6 January to 5 April

Updates are due about one month after each period ends. That usually means:

• 7 August
• 7 November
• 7 February
• 7 May

Dates can change, so always confirm the latest guidance from HMRC.

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Do quarterly updates replace the annual return?

No. MTD ITSA still requires two year-end steps:

1. An End of Period Statement (EOPS) for each business or property source
2. A final declaration that replaces the traditional Self Assessment return

These steps finalize your tax position for the year.

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Do quarterly updates change payment dates?

Quarterly updates are about reporting, not payment. Most taxpayers still pay Income Tax and National Insurance on the standard deadlines (31 January and 31 July), unless HMRC introduces future changes.

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How to stay on top of quarterly submissions

• Keep records up to date weekly or monthly
• Use software that prompts you before each deadline
• Reconcile bank transactions so your totals are accurate
• Review each update before submission

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How QTax helps

QTax keeps your records organized and guides you through each quarterly update. You can see what has been captured, review the totals, and submit on time without extra admin.

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FAQs

What happens if I miss a quarterly update?

Late submissions can trigger penalties under the MTD points-based system. The best way to avoid issues is to submit on time or as soon as possible if you miss a deadline.

Can I amend a quarterly update?

Yes. Updates are cumulative, and corrections can be made in later submissions or in your end-of-year declaration.

Do I need to submit quarterly updates if I am below the threshold?

If you are below the current income threshold, MTD ITSA is not mandatory yet. You can still use digital software voluntarily.

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Conclusion

Quarterly submissions are a key part of MTD ITSA. They do not replace your annual declaration, but they do require consistent record keeping. With the right software and a simple routine, the process is straightforward.