What software do you need for Making Tax Digital?

General information, not tax advice. Not affiliated with HMRC. Every figure below is linked to the gov.uk page it comes from. Check with HMRC or a qualified accountant about your own situation.

Templates: our own templates

These are our own paid spreadsheets for keeping records and planning your money, made by the team behind this site. They are not HMRC-recognised software and can't send anything to HMRC. You still need HMRC-recognised software (for example bridging software) to send MTD updates and returns.

MTD Record Keeper (£11.99): a spreadsheet for keeping income and expense records
UK Budget Planner 2027 (£5.99): a household budget spreadsheet

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax means using compatible software instead of HMRC's old online return. Here is what that software has to do, and how to pick some without paying for features you don't need. We don't recommend specific products, and neither does HMRC (gov.uk).

When you need it

From 6 April 2026, some sole traders and landlords must use compatible software (gov.uk). HMRC advises choosing your software before you sign up (gov.uk). Check whether and when you need MTD first.

What the software must do

You, or an agent, need commercial software that can (gov.uk):

create, store and correct digital records of your self-employment and property income and expenses
send quarterly updates to HMRC
add your other income and submit your tax return by 31 January the following year

You only need digital records for self-employment and property. Other income, such as pensions, a partnership profit share, savings or dividends, is added on the return (gov.uk).

Two main types

1. Software that creates records

This kind lets you create records by linking to your business bank account, scanning receipts and invoices, or typing entries in. These products usually handle updates and the tax return too (gov.uk). If you use a bank feed, you may need to add details such as the Self Assessment category, and you are still responsible for checking accuracy (gov.uk).

2. Bridging software (spreadsheets)

Bridging software connects to records you already keep, such as spreadsheets, and makes the submissions to HMRC for you (gov.uk). So you can keep using a spreadsheet, as long as it is linked digitally to the bridging product.

"Digitally linked" matters. Once a record has gone to HMRC in an update, you must not retype it or copy and paste it into other software (gov.uk). Acceptable links include linked spreadsheet cells, CSV or XML import and export, emailing or handing over a file for import, automated transfers and APIs (gov.uk).

Using more than one product

You can mix products, for example one per business or one for records and another for the return. Each separate submission must come from one product, though. A landlord can't use two products to send property updates (gov.uk). You need to make sure they work together (gov.uk).

Features to check

gov.uk suggests checking that the software (gov.uk):

supports all your income sources
can send quarterly updates and submit the return
lets you report your other income to complete the return
works with your accounting period, whether that's standard periods, calendar periods or neither (see deadlines)
allows more than one agent, if you have several
has HMRC Assist, which highlights possible errors
fits your budget. Free products exist for simple tax affairs but may have limits, such as a cap on transactions

If you're VAT registered, check whether your VAT software also works for MTD for Income Tax (gov.uk). If you plan to add an income source, such as a landlord starting a business, check that the product will support it (gov.uk).

HMRC's software finder

HMRC has a software finder tool. It asks a few questions and gives you a personalised list, and you can also search for software you already use (gov.uk). Everything listed has been through HMRC's recognition process, but HMRC does not recommend any product or provider (gov.uk). Start from the gov.uk software guidance page, which links to the finder.

Support

HMRC says it can't advise on specific software products, and your provider should explain how to send updates (gov.uk). If a software problem stops you filing and the provider can't fix it, tell HMRC as soon as possible (gov.uk).

Next steps

Use the checker to confirm your start date, then read the landlord guide if you let property.

Quick check: use our free Making Tax Digital start-date checker to see which threshold applies to your income.

New explainers: £30,000 from April 2027 · £20,000 from April 2028 · Qualifying income with examples · Embed the checker

More guides

Sources

Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-software-thats-compatible-with-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax (checked 5 Nov 2026)
Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Create digital records, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/create-digital-records (checked 5 Nov 2026)
Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Send quarterly updates, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/send-quarterly-updates (checked 5 Nov 2026)
Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Submit your tax return, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/submit-your-tax-return (checked 5 Nov 2026)

Last checked against gov.uk: 5 November 2026.