Reporting guide
MTD quarterly updates: what you send and when
Quarterly updates are summaries created from your digital records. They give HMRC totals for income and expense categories; they are not fully adjusted tax returns.
What goes into an update
Your compatible software adds together the digital income and expense records for each business. You send the resulting category totals to HMRC.
You do not normally need to make accounting or tax adjustments before sending an update. Corrections and year-end adjustments are dealt with through your records and final tax return.
Standard quarterly deadlines
The standard deadlines fall on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. Software may also let you use calendar update periods, but the submission deadlines remain fixed.
If you have more than one sole-trader or property business, you need an update for each business. Your software should show the periods and submissions due.
- 7 August
- 7 November
- 7 February
- 7 May
Your tax return still matters
Quarterly updates do not replace the annual tax return. You still review other income, make relevant adjustments, claim reliefs and submit the completed return through compatible software.
The usual 31 January filing and payment deadline remains important.
Common questions
Quick answers
Do quarterly updates need to be perfectly adjusted?
HMRC says no accounting or tax adjustments are required before sending an update. Keep your underlying digital records accurate and correct errors when you find them.
Are there penalties in the first year?
HMRC says penalty points will not apply to late quarterly updates during 2026/27 for people who had to start in April 2026. Normal penalties for late tax returns and payments still apply.
Official sources
Rules can change. Use these HMRC pages to confirm the position for your circumstances.