HMRC Can Sign You Up for MTD — Even If You Haven’t Done It Yourself

If you were expecting to register for Making Tax Digital when you had more time, there is an important change to know about. From September 2026, HMRC has started signing up sole traders and landlords who are required to use MTD but have not registered themselves. The process is happening in stages, and HMRC will contact you after you have been signed up. (GOV.UK)

There is a catch: when HMRC signs you up, it uses the information already held on your tax records. That may not reflect recent changes to your income sources or circumstances. By registering yourself, you can check that your details are correct from the beginning and choose compatible software that works for your business.

For the 2026–27 tax year, MTD applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 based on the 2024–25 tax year, unless an exemption applies. So if you think you should already be using MTD but have not registered, waiting for HMRC to find you may mean starting the process with outdated information.