MTD IT is a genuine change to how landlords and self-employed people manage their tax affairs, and from conversations I had recently with people many are not sure what to do next. Simply put if your gross revenue from self employment + any property rental was £50K or more in 2025-26 you are subject to MTD IT.
What I’d say is this. Getting registered, choosing the right software, and making sure your records are set up properly from the start makes everything much easier down the line. Leaving it until the end means rushing it, and rushing it means mistakes.
On software, it has to be an HMRC approved commercial tool. You can’t use a manual spreadsheet, and you can’t file directly through the HMRC portal. If you’re not sure which software suits your situation, it’s worth getting advice before you commit to anything. (However there are bridging software solutions that link your spreadsheets). One thing worth knowing about the penalty position. HMRC has confirmed a soft landing for 2026–27, meaning penalties for late quarterly submissions will be suspended in that first year.
But that’s a one-off adjustment period, not a signal that the deadlines don’t matter.