MTD: Missed the 1st Deadline?

Here’s What You Need to Do

For many sole traders and landlords, 7th August 2026 marked the first quarterly filing deadline under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT). If you have missed the deadline, don’t panic. There are steps you can take now to minimise the impact and get back on track.

What was the 7th August 2026 Deadline?

Individuals with qualifying self-employment and/or property income exceeding £50,000 were required to join MTD for IT from 6th April 2026. Their first quarterly update, covering the period from 6th April to 5th July 2026, or 6th April to 30th June was due by 7th August 2026.

If you have not submitted this update by the deadline, you will now be classed as having made a late submission.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

HMRC operates a points-based penalty regime for late submissions. Rather than receiving an immediate financial penalty, a missed quarterly update generally results in a penalty point being added to your record. Once the relevant penalty threshold is reached, a financial penalty can be charged. The key message is simple: missing one deadline does not mean the situation cannot be rectified. Acting quickly can help prevent further compliance issues.

What Should You Do Now?

1. Submit the Outstanding Update as Soon as Possible

If your records are up to date, complete and submit the quarterly update through your MTD for IT – compatible software immediately. The sooner the outstanding submission is filed, the easier it will be to maintain accurate records and avoid further issues later in the tax year.

2. Check Your Software Setup

MTD requires digital record-keeping and submissions through compatible software rather than traditional Self Assessment processes. Many missed deadlines occur because businesses have not fully implemented suitable software or digital record-keeping processes.

Review that:

• • Your MTD software is connected to HMRC.
  • Income and expense records are being maintained digitally.
  • Future quarterly filing dates are diarised.

3. Review Future Deadlines

The next quarterly deadline will arrive sooner than many expect. For taxpayers using standard tax-year quarters, the next filing date is 7th November 2026. Establishing a routine now will help avoid a build-up of work and reduce the likelihood of future missed submissions.

4. Speak to us

If you are unsure whether you should be within MTD, have not registered correctly, or are struggling with the requirements, contact your local office at Whitings LLP.

We can help with:

• • MTD for IT registration and onboarding
  • Software selection and implementation
  • Quarterly bookkeeping reviews
  • Submission of MTD for IT updates
  • Training and ongoing support

If you have missed the first MTD for IT deadline, now is the time to act. Taking action early can help avoid unnecessary penalties and make future reporting far more manageable.

Need Assistance?

If you have missed the 7th August 2026 MTD for IT filing deadline or are uncertain whether the new rules apply to you, contact your local Whitings office for more information or advice on how we can assist you. We can review your position, help bring your records up to date, and ensure you are prepared for the next submission deadline.

The sooner action is taken, the easier it will be to stay compliant under the new MTD for IT regime.