Choosing MTD for Income Tax software

HMRC does not supply software. You need a commercial product (or two that work together) that can keep digital records, send quarterly updates and submit your tax return. HMRC’s own finder lists the recognised products.

Open HMRC’s software finder

We do not reproduce the list: it changes often and only HMRC’s version is authoritative. This site has no commercial link with any software company.

Two types of software

Record-keeping software creates your digital records by linking to your business bank account, scanning receipts and invoices, or manual entry. It usually does everything, including quarterly updates and the tax return.
Bridging software connects to records you keep elsewhere, such as a spreadsheet, and makes the submissions to HMRC.

You can combine products, one per business or one per task, but only one product per submission: a landlord cannot split property quarterly updates across two products.

Checklist before you pick

Does it support all your MTD income sources: self-employment, UK property, foreign property?
Can it send quarterly updates and submit the tax return, or do you need a second product for the return?
Can it add your other income for the return: savings, dividends, partnership share, pensions?
Does it handle your accounting period: standard tax year, calendar update periods, or neither?
If you are VAT-registered: does your MTD for VAT software also cover Income Tax, or can the new product handle your VAT?
Does it allow more than one agent, if you have several?
Does it include HMRC Assist, which flags errors in your return using your submissions and HMRC’s data?
Price and limits: free products exist for simple affairs, often with a cap on transactions.
Planning a change (a landlord starting a business, say)? Check the product will support that source too.

What the finder asks you

Your MTD income sources, the other income you report on your return, whether you want to create new records or connect to existing ones, and your accounting period. Agents get the full list with filters.

Records you must keep

Each digital record needs the amount, the date and the category (the Self Assessment categories). Only self-employment and property income and expenses need digital records. Keep them for at least 5 years after the 31 January deadline of each tax year, even if you change software.

Independent tool, not affiliated with HMRC. It applies the rules published on GOV.UK to the figures you enter. It is not tax advice. HMRC’s letter and your HMRC online account are the only authoritative answer; if in doubt, ask HMRC or a tax adviser.

Questions people ask

Is there free MTD software for sole traders?

GOV.UK says free products are available for people with simple tax affairs, but they may have limits, such as a maximum number of transactions. Use HMRC’s finder to list them, then check the limits against your own volume.

Can I keep using my spreadsheet?

Yes, with bridging software that connects to the spreadsheet and makes the submissions to HMRC. Check that the bridging product can also submit your tax return, or pair it with one that can.

Does HMRC provide free software?

No. HMRC does not provide software and does not recommend any product. Its finder lists products that have been through HMRC’s recognition process.

Can I switch software mid-year?

Yes, at any time, though the end of a tax year is easier. Mid-year you must import or recreate the current year’s records in the new product, or re-link bridging software and remove the old link. Keep access to older records.

Official sources

Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK, last updated 13 July 2026, read 29 September 2026.
HMRC tool: Find software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK, read 29 September 2026.
Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: If your circumstances change — GOV.UK, last updated 7 September 2026, read 29 September 2026.
Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Before you use this guide — GOV.UK, last updated 2 April 2026, read 29 September 2026.

Rules checked against GOV.UK on 29 September 2026.