Making Tax Digital deadline November 7 for self-employed people

The next Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax quarterly update deadline is Saturday, November 7, with those already signed up required to submit their latest figures to HMRC.

But a survey has found that half of UK adults (50%) do not know what Making Tax Digital involves, while almost a third (31%) have never even heard of it.

The findings come as the rules are set to affect many more people from next April, when the income threshold for joining the scheme falls from £50,000 to £30,000.

Research commissioned by Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting also found that two in five adults (42%) doubt they would meet a tax deadline without a reminder.

More than half (51%) are not confident they would know whether a change to tax rules, such as Making Tax Digital, applied to them.

Getting ready to file your Self Assessment #taxreturn? Support is available 24/7 online, to help you: ✅ Find your Unique Taxpayer Reference. ✅ Make payments via the HMRC app. ✅ Complete a tax return for the first time. Learn more below. 👇 https://t.co/aGKBac6xcl https://t.co/Jq2krvty8a

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) November 4, 2026

What is Making Tax Digital?

Making Tax Digital is the biggest change to how Income Tax is reported since Self Assessment.

Instead of submitting information once a year, affected sole traders and landlords must keep digital records of their income and expenses and send HMRC a summary every three months.

The rules began in April 2026 for people with qualifying income above £50,000. The threshold is due to fall to £30,000 from April 2027, before a planned further reduction to £20,000 from April 2028.

Bas Kniphorst, EVP and Managing Director of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Europe, said: “Making Tax Digital is here, and for many people it is closer than they think. Our research shows that a lot of people still don’t know what it involves, or whether it applies to them.

“The good news is that it is not too late. With the next group of landlords and sole traders joining in April 2027, now is the time to check whether you are in scope, choose the right tool, and start keeping records as you go. Accountants have a central role to play in helping their clients make that change with confidence.”

Millions remain unclear about new HMRC rules

The research found that only 9% of UK adults said they were already using Making Tax Digital.

A further 13% said they knew what it was and were ready to use it when it applied to them, while 16% were confident it did not apply to them.

However, 12% believed the rules applied to them but had not yet taken action.

Confidence was also low, with 22% saying they were not at all confident they would know if a tax rule change affected them. Just 11% said they were very confident.

Two in five fear missing a tax deadline without a reminder

The survey also highlighted how many people struggle to stay on top of tax deadlines.

Some 42% doubted they would meet a tax deadline without being reminded.

When faced with a deadline, 13% said they had left it until the final day or the night before, while 11% had avoided dealing with it because they found it stressful.

Almost one in ten (9%) had missed a tax deadline completely, and 8% had paid a fine or penalty for filing late.

Some people also rely on others for help, with 15% having asked a family member, friend or colleague for support with a tax deadline. Another 11% had paid an accountant to deal with it for them.

HMRC record-keeping warning as new rules approach

Keeping digital records is central to Making Tax Digital, but the research suggests this could be another sticking point.

More than a third of UK adults (38%) said they were not confident they could find the records they needed if HMRC asked them about their income.

Just one in five (20%) said they were very confident they could.

Marie Costers, VP and General Manager at Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, said: “Making Tax Digital is a real opportunity for sole traders and landlords to move their finances online.

“The start is the hardest part, but once you choose the right tool and log your income and expenses as you go, each quarterly update gets easier.

“Digital records often mean fewer mistakes, less time chasing receipts and a clear, up-to-date view of how your business is doing throughout the year, not just at tax time.

“Accountants have a big role to play here. They can help clients make the switch and turn those regular updates into timely advice that helps them run their business with more confidence.”

With less than a week to go until the second quarterly update deadline for Making Tax Digital, make sure you're prepared. ⏰ If you’re a sole trader or landlord with a combined turnover of over £50,000, you need to send your second quarterly update by 7 November. Act now. ⬇️ https://t.co/ZK0DK3dB8I

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) November 1, 2026

Kenny MacAulay, CEO of Acting Office , adds: “Making Tax Digital deadlines create extra pressure for accountancy firms who have to chase missing receipts and fix errors before filings go to HMRC. Over 400,000 sole traders and landlords that HMRC expected to file didn’t submit their first update on time in August, and much of that backlog falls on accountants around these deadlines.

“January has long been the crunch time for accountants with Self Assessments, but these quarterly deadlines have created extra workload, often without more staff to manage it. AI can ease the pressure by identifying impacted clients and helping to chase missing records, but that only works if the underlying book is in order. 

"There needs to be strict rules on what data is inputted into AI systems and deadlines can’t be an excuse to cut corners.”

Recommended reading:

• Calls to cut state pension age to 65 and free up jobs for younger workers grow
• Blue Badge drivers could face unexpected fines despite having a permit
• Martin Lewis breaks down new pension tax rules with £13,037 threshold

What happens if you are late with a Making Tax Digital update?

There is a first-year soft landing for people joining the scheme in April 2027.

They will not receive penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2027/28 tax year.

Those who joined in April 2026 also have this protection during 2026/27.

However, the soft landing does not cover late year-end tax returns.

Sole traders and landlords who are unsure whether they need to join should check the income thresholds, seek advice if necessary and start getting their records in order.

The research was carried out online on behalf of Wolters Kluwer between October 21 and 23, 2026, among 2,008 UK adults.