Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

How it works (it’s simpler than you think)

Keep using your spreadsheet. Import totals into the app, submit your quarterly update to HMRC, then finish the year with a final declaration (your digital Self Assessment return). Below is a step‑by‑step guide, including how to import from a Windows spreadsheet using a QR code.

Making Tax Digital app icon HMRC MTD Ready logo

The year at a glance

Quarterly updates
Send a simple summary of income & expenses. From 2025–26 these are cumulative — your latest totals replace the last.
Year-end adjustments & allowances
Apply things like losses and capital allowances so figures match tax rules.
Final declaration
Your digital Self Assessment return (with the final tax calculation) — confirm all sources and submit.

Why “cumulative”? If you tweak figures later, just submit again — the new total replaces the previous one, so the latest update is what counts.

What you’ll use

  • Your spreadsheet — it can live on any computer. If it’s on Windows, you can click the template link to show a QR code, then scan it on your iPhone/iPad to send totals into the app.
  • The app runs on macOS 13+ or on an iPhone/iPad with iOS 16.4+.
  • View an estimated tax calculation after updates.

Deadlines

  • Each update is due one month after the period ends.
  • Default quarters apply; some can elect calendar quarters before the first update.
  • The app shows your live obligations and reminders.

Step by step

You keep your records in a spreadsheet. The app reads your totals (not every transaction) and submits the summary to HMRC.

1) Sign in and connect to HMRC

  • Sign in with your Government Gateway credentials.
  • Grant the app permission to access your MTD for Income Tax account.
  • The app will then show your obligations (what’s due and when).

2) Choose how you want to import from your spreadsheet

You can use whichever method fits your setup. If you’re using our templates, the Import to MTD App “magic link” is the fastest method on every platform.

Option A

Windows spreadsheet (three ways)

  • Fastest: open our template on Windows and click Import to MTD App to show a QR code, then scan it with your iPhone/iPad to send totals into the app.
  • Also works: send the template to your iPhone/iPad (Files/AirDrop) and tap Import to MTD App on-device.
  • No template: send your .xlsx file to your iPhone/iPad, open it in the app, and map the cells once (then reuse next quarter).

Use this when your main spreadsheet lives on another computer but you want to submit from iPhone/iPad.

Option B

On-device spreadsheet (iPhone/iPad or Mac)

  • Using our template: open the template in Numbers / Excel / Google Sheets on your device and tap Import to MTD App (the “magic link”) to send totals into the app.
  • No template: open an .xlsx file inside the MTD app and map the boxes to the right cells.

Best when your spreadsheet is already on the device — the link sends totals into the app automatically.

Option C

macOS app (Numbers, Excel or Google Sheets)

  • Using our template: click Import to MTD App (the “magic link”) to send totals into the Mac app (works from Numbers, Excel and Google Sheets).
  • No template: open an Excel file in the app and map the boxes to the right cells.
  • Numbers supported: open a Numbers sheet and map the boxes in the same way.

Most flexible option — supports templates, Excel mapping, and Numbers mapping.

3) Review the totals and submit your quarterly update

  • Select the obligation you’re submitting for (the app lists what’s due).
  • Review income and expense totals for the period.
  • Tap Submit — HMRC returns a confirmation reference.
  • Updates are cumulative: submit again later if your totals change.

4) End of year: add other income and submit the final declaration

  • After the tax year ends, add any adjustments and other income (e.g. employment, dividends, savings).
  • Check the final calculation in the app.
  • Submit the final declaration to complete the year.
Get spreadsheet templates Read the FAQs

Other income you may add before the final declaration

To complete your final calculation you may also include:

  • Employment (PAYE data appears from HMRC; you can amend at year end if needed).
  • Dividends, savings, pensions, capital gains, other income — supported progressively after launch.

For Agents

If you’re an accountant or tax agent, we’ve got you covered too.

Learn about agent features

HMRC campaign graphic: Tax is changing in April 2026
Tax is changing in April 2026

From the 2025–26 year onward, you’ll send quarterly updates and a final declaration via software. See HMRC’s official campaign for who needs to join and what’s changing.

Visit the MTD campaign site

FAQs

Do I need to submit detailed transactions each quarter?

No — HMRC needs summary totals (income & expenses). Keep digital records; the app submits the totals.

What if I make a mistake mid-year?

Submit again. Updates are cumulative, so your newest totals replace earlier ones.

When do I do the final declaration?

After year end, once adjustments/allowances are in — then submit the final declaration to lock the year.

Try it early / join the beta

We’re inviting a small group willing to start MTD a little early to help refine the app:

  • Early access before public release
  • Work directly with the developer
  • Influence what we prioritise next
Email to join the beta