MTD for Income Tax: Deadlines and Key Dates
Under MTD, you'll have quarterly submission deadlines throughout the year, plus annual deadlines for your End of Period Statement and Final Declaration. Here's everything you need to know about when and what to submit.
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When Does MTD Become Mandatory?
The rollout of MTD for Income Tax is phased by income level:
| Qualifying income | Mandatory from |
|---|---|
| Over £50,000 | April 2026 |
| Over £30,000 | April 2027 |
| Over £20,000 | Planned — date not yet confirmed |
Your qualifying income is determined by HMRC based on your most recently filed Self Assessment return. If you filed a 2024/25 return showing income above £50,000, you will need to be in the MTD system from April 2026.
The Four Quarterly Update Deadlines
The MTD tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April, divided into four quarters. You must submit a summary of your income and expenses for each quarter within one month and two days of the quarter end. The standard deadlines are:
| Quarter | Period covered | Submission deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 April – 5 July | 7 August |
| Q2 | 6 July – 5 October | 7 November |
| Q3 | 6 October – 5 January | 7 February |
| Q4 | 6 January – 5 April | 7 May |
These deadlines apply to each income source separately. If you have both self-employment and property income, you'll need to submit a quarterly update for each stream — so up to eight updates per year in total.
Full Year Timeline
Q1 ends
Submit Q1 update by 7 August
Q2 ends
Submit Q2 update by 7 November
Q3 ends
Submit Q3 update by 7 February
Q4 ends
Submit Q4 update by 7 May
End of Period Statement
File EOPS for each income source (following tax year)
Final Declaration
File Final Declaration (replaces Self Assessment return)
End of Period Statement (EOPS)
After the tax year ends, you'll need to file an End of Period Statement for each of your qualifying income sources. The EOPS is where you can add annual adjustments that can't be captured in quarterly updates — for example, capital allowances, basis period adjustments, or any corrections to quarterly figures.
The EOPS deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year. So for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027), your EOPS is due by 31 January 2028.
Most MTD-compatible software handles EOPS submission automatically, prompting you to review and confirm your annual figures once the year ends.
Final Declaration (Replaces Self Assessment)
The Final Declaration is the last step in the MTD reporting cycle. It brings together all your income — including quarterly update data, EOPS figures, and any other taxable income not covered by MTD (such as dividends, employment income, or savings interest) — and allows HMRC to calculate your final tax liability for the year.
Like the current Self Assessment return, the Final Declaration is due by 31 January following the end of the tax year. This deadline is unchanged.
You can also include claims for reliefs, allowances, and adjustments in your Final Declaration, as you would in a Self Assessment return.
Penalties for Late Submission
HMRC will use a points-based penalty system for late quarterly submissions under MTD for Income Tax. Each missed quarterly deadline results in a penalty point. When you reach the relevant threshold of points, a fixed financial penalty of £200 is charged.
Separate (and typically larger) penalties apply for late submission of the Final Declaration. The late payment penalty rules for any tax owed remain unchanged and are separate from the submission penalties.
Points expire after a period of compliance, so consistent on-time filing can clear your record. HMRC has stated that the points system is designed to be proportionate — a single missed deadline will not immediately result in a penalty for most taxpayers.
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