Sign up as an individual for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Use the online service to sign your business up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and find out what to do next.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is a new way of reporting property and self-employment income to HMRC. You must use software to keep digital records and send Income Tax updates.
If you’re an agent, there’s a different way to sign up your client for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
If you use an agent, they can sign you up to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
If you want to help us test and develop Making Tax Digital for Income Tax before 6 April 2026, you may be able to voluntarily sign up through your software provider now.
Before you use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
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Check when you need to sign up, or if you can sign up voluntarily now.
If you are able, and choose to sign up voluntarily now, you will need to get software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
You cannot submit returns until you are using compatible software.
What you will need
You must have an accounting period that runs from 6 April to 5 April.
You’ll need your:
- business start date or the date you started receiving property income
- accounting method such as cash basis accounting or traditional accounting
You may also be asked for your:
- business name and address for self employment income sources
- the nature of your business (your trade) for self employment income sources
You will only receive Making Tax Digital reminders if you set your preference to being contacted online.
To sign up, you must also be registered to file Self Assessment tax returns. You’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you use to file returns.
If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you sign up. You will need to give your National Insurance number and answer security questions, such as confirming your passport or driving license number.
Sign up
You can sign up now through a recognised provider who offers software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
If you already have software, you should contact your provider about signing up. You should also discuss this with your agent if you have one.
If you do not have software, you should choose from the list of recognised software available now and contact your chosen provider about the sign up process.
Check if you can voluntarily sign up now
You may be able to voluntarily sign up now if all of the following apply:
- your details are kept up to date with HMRC
- you have a National Insurance number
- you’re a UK resident
- you’re already registered for Self Assessment
- your accounting period aligns to the tax year — must run from 6 April to 5 April
- you have submitted at least one Self Assessment tax return
- one or more of the following were included in your last return:
- an existing self-employment income
- a UK property income source
- a foreign property income source
- you’re up to date with your tax records — for example, you have no outstanding tax liabilities
You cannot sign up yet if you:
- need to report income or deductions from income sources such as employment, pension or student loan repayments
- have an income tax charge — for example, high income Child Benefit charges or certain pension tax charges
- have a payment arrangement
- are a partner in a partnership
- are currently, or are going to be, bankrupt or insolvent
- are a Minister of religion, Lloyds underwriter or foster carer
- are signing up on behalf of someone else (unless you are an agent) — this includes (but is not limited to) if you are:
- an insolvency practitioner
- a nominee
- a solicitor
Get help
Help and support for Making Tax Digital.
Contact your software supplier if you need help creating business records or sending updates.
If you have another query about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, contact HMRC.
Last updated 9 January 2023 + show all updates
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Welsh translation added.
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The date for helping to test and develop Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has been extended to 6 April 2026.
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The steps to take and what you will need before using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax have been updated. The criteria for voluntarily signing up now has also been updated.
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Information to check if you can voluntarily sign up now has been added. Information on what to do after you’ve signed up has been removed as this is covered in the Using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax guidance.
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Information on what you'll need and before you sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has been updated.
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Updated information on what to do after you've signed up.
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Added translation
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Information has been added to let you know that if you use an agent they can send you an authorisation request link.
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Register for a webinar on 29 July for information on the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax pilot.
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Welsh translation has been added.
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First published.