Blog

Practical guides on Making Tax Digital, spreadsheet data prep, and HMRC compliance.

MTD Guides

Qualifying Income for MTD ITSA: What Counts and What Doesn't

MTD ITSA's £50k threshold is based on qualifying income — not turnover, not profit. Here's exactly what HMRC counts and what it leaves out.

6 min read
Tools & Software

MTD ITSA Software for Accountants: How to Choose in 2026

Practical framework for UK accountants choosing MTD ITSA software in 2026 — client segmentation, bridging tools and the data prep layer most lists miss.

18 May 20264 min read
HMRC Updates

MTD ITSA Soft Landing 2026/27: What 'Penalty-Free' Really Means

HMRC's soft landing removes quarterly penalty points for 2026/27. Here's what that really changes for sole traders, landlords and accountants — and what it doesn't.

15 May 20266 min read
MTD Guides

Rental Income Spreadsheet for MTD: What Landlords Need in 2026

A practical guide for UK landlords on building an MTD-compatible rental income spreadsheet before the Q1 deadline on 5 August 2026.

17 April 20265 min read
MTD Basics

What Is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? A Plain English Guide

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax means quarterly digital reporting for the self-employed and landlords from April 2026. Here's what it actually means, who's affected, and what you need to do.

13 April 20264 min read
MTD Basics

MTD for Sole Traders: Everything You Need to Know for 2026

Self-employed and earning over £50,000? MTD for Income Tax is mandatory from April 2026. Here's what sole traders need to know about digital records, quarterly updates, and keeping your spreadsheet workflow.

13 April 20264 min read
MTD Basics

How to Submit Your First MTD Quarterly Update: Step-by-Step

Your first MTD quarterly update is due 7 August 2026. This step-by-step guide walks you through registration, software choices, data preparation, submission, and common errors to avoid.

13 April 20264 min read
MTD Basics

MTD Penalties: What Happens If You Miss the Quarterly Deadline

HMRC's new points-based penalty system means missed MTD deadlines accumulate. Four late quarterly submissions trigger a £200 fine. Here's how the system works and how to avoid it.

13 April 20264 min read
Comparisons

TaxPrepUK vs 123Sheets: Which MTD Spreadsheet Tool Is Right for You?

Both TaxPrepUK and 123Sheets serve spreadsheet users, but they solve different problems. One cleans your data, the other submits it. Here's how to choose.

13 April 20264 min read
Comparisons

TaxPrepUK vs Taxd: Which MTD Solution Fits Your Workflow?

TaxPrepUK and Taxd both help with MTD compliance but approach the problem differently. One keeps your spreadsheet workflow, the other replaces it. Here's how they compare.

13 April 20264 min read
Comparisons

TaxPrepUK vs Hammock: Comparing MTD Tools for UK Landlords

Hammock is built for landlords. TaxPrepUK is built for spreadsheet users. If you're a landlord who uses spreadsheets, here's how to decide between them.

13 April 20264 min read
Comparisons

TaxPrepUK vs AbsoluteTax: Comparing MTD Spreadsheet Solutions

AbsoluteTax offers affordable bridging. TaxPrepUK offers data preparation. Both serve spreadsheet users — here's which one you need (or whether you need both).

13 April 20264 min read
Comparisons

TaxPrepUK vs VitalTax: Which MTD Spreadsheet Tool Do You Need?

VitalTax is an affordable Excel add-in for HMRC submission. TaxPrepUK cleans your data before submission. Here's how the two tools compare and work together.

13 April 20264 min read
MTD Compliance

Why Your Spreadsheet Isn't MTD-Ready (And How to Fix It in 15 Minutes)

MTD for Income Tax is live. Your spreadsheet might be digital, but that doesn't make it compliant. Here's the missing step most guides skip.

13 April 20264 min read

MTD Quarterly Briefing

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