MTD for Income Tax quarterly deadlines explained
The four quarterly update dates, why they're cumulative, the final declaration deadline, and how penalties work — including the 2026/27 soft landing.
Under MTD for Income Tax you send HMRC four quarterly updates a year — due 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May — then a final declaration by 31 January after the tax year. Updates are cumulative(year-to-date). 2026/27 is a soft-landing year: no penalty points for late quarterly updates, but the final declaration can still be penalised.
The four standard quarters
Each tax year is split into four quarters, with the update due about a month after each one ends:
| Quarter | Period covered | Update due |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
So someone mandated from 6 April 2026 has their first update due 7 August 2026. (There's an optional "calendar quarter" election that aligns periods to calendar months instead — most people stick with the standard quarters above.)
Updates are cumulative
Since 2025/26, each quarterly update is a year-to-date total for the business source — not just that quarter in isolation. In practice that means a later update restates the running totals, so a small error in an earlier quarter is corrected automatically by the next one. You're reporting income and expenses by category; you are not calculating or paying tax at this stage.
The final declaration
After the tax year ends, you submit a final declaration by 31 January — the same date as the old Self Assessment deadline. This is where everything comes together: your self-employment and property figures, plus any other income (employment, dividends, interest), to arrive at the tax you owe. It replaces the SA100 return. HMRC calculates the tax; you confirm the figures are correct and complete.
Penalties — and the 2026/27 soft landing
The first year (2026/27) is a soft landing for the £50,000 cohort: no late-submission penalty points on quarterly updates. It does notextend to the later (2027 and 2028) cohorts.
- From 2027/28: each missed quarterly deadline earns one penalty point. Four points trigger a £200 penalty, with a further £200 for each subsequent late submission.
- The final declaration can be penalised in all years — the soft landing never covered it.
- Late payment of tax has its own penalties, with a short first-year grace.
Staying on top of them
Four updates plus a final declaration is five HMRC touchpoints a year instead of one. The practical answer is software that keeps the cumulative figures current and files on time — see how to check your start date and first deadline, or read how to sign up as a sole trader.
Frequently asked questions
When are the MTD quarterly update deadlines?
For standard periods: 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May each tax year. They cover the quarters 6 Apr–5 Jul, 6 Jul–5 Oct, 6 Oct–5 Jan and 6 Jan–5 Apr.
Are quarterly updates cumulative?
Yes. Since 2025/26, each update is a year-to-date total for the business source, not just that quarter's figures — so a later update corrects an earlier one automatically.
When is the final declaration due?
By 31 January after the end of the tax year — the same date as the old Self Assessment deadline. It replaces the SA100 return.
Are there penalties for late quarterly updates?
2026/27 is a soft-landing year for the first cohort: no late-submission penalty points on quarterly updates. From 2027/28, each missed deadline earns a point; four points trigger a £200 penalty. The final declaration can be penalised in all years.
Related guides: What counts as qualifying income · How to register for MTD as a sole trader · MTD when you're employed and self-employed
Guidance only, not tax advice. Based on HMRC rules as at June 2026. Always check your specific circumstances with HMRC or a qualified adviser.