If you use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, your next deadline is close. Your second quarterly update is due by 7 November 2026. It covers the period ending 5 October 2026.
Industry body Propertymark is urging landlords and sole traders to get ready now. Before the deadline, check that your records are up to date, your software is connected to HMRC, and your figures are correct.
Here is what you need to know.
Who Must Send This Update
MTD for Income Tax became compulsory in April 2026. It applies to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income above £50,000. If that is you, you must keep digital records and send quarterly updates through MTD-compatible software.
The net is widening. From April 2027, the threshold drops to £30,000. That will bring more landlords, property owners, and self-employed people into the system. If your income sits between £30,000 and £50,000, start preparing now.
HMRC is also starting to register people automatically if it believes they should already be using MTD. Do not assume you will be told in time. Check your position yourself.
What the 7 November Update Covers
Each quarterly update is cumulative. It covers the period from 6 April to the end of the update period, not just the last three months. So the update due on 7 November covers 6 April to 5 October 2026, a full six months.
If you elected to report by calendar quarters, your period ends on 30 September instead, though the 7 November deadline still applies.
A quarterly update summarises your income and expenses. It is not a tax return, and it is not a tax payment. HMRC does not turn it into a bill. You settle your actual tax position later, in your year-end submission.
Because updates are cumulative, you can correct earlier figures without resending a previous update. If a repair bill was missed or a figure needs fixing, the correction simply flows into your latest submission.
What to Check Before You Submit
Run through this checklist before 7 November:
- Records are complete. Make sure all income and expenses to 5 October are logged digitally.
- Software is connected. Confirm your MTD-compatible software is still linked to HMRC and the connection works.
- Figures look right. Review the totals your software has produced before you send them.
- Nil periods still count. If you had no income or expenditure in the period, you must still send an update.
These checks take minutes. They turn November into a routine submission rather than a last-minute scramble.
Missed the 7 August Update?
The first quarterly update was due on 7 August 2026. If you missed it, do not panic, and do not skip November as well.
Send the missed update as soon as your figures to 5 July are in your software. Because each update restates the whole period from 6 April, catching up now keeps your records clean and makes the 7 November submission straightforward.
What Happens If You Are Late
HMRC has confirmed there will be no penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026/27 tax year. But that is not a free pass.
HMRC must receive your updates before you can submit your tax return. Skipping updates now only stores up problems for January. And from 2027/28, the points system starts: one point per missed update, with a £200 penalty at four points.
Treat 7 November as a real deadline, even without points attached.
How iFiler Can Help
iFiler is HMRC-recognised software for sending MTD Income Tax quarterly updates. It connects to HMRC, totals your income and expenses for each update period, and submits them digitally. It is free for now.
If your records are already digital, submitting your 7 November update takes a few clicks. If they are not, now is the time to get them in order.
Final Thought
The 7 November deadline is four weeks away. Update your records, check your software connection, and submit on time. Small effort now means no stress later, and a clean run into the January tax return season.
Disclaimers
Disclaimer:
This guide provides general information about MTD ITSA as of October 2026. Tax rules and HMRC guidance can change. Always consult with a qualified tax professional about your specific circumstances. That’s what we’re here for. In accordance with our normal practice this reference is given in good faith and in confidence, without legal liability on the part of the author or the company. The author assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site
The information provided in this blog is for general guidance and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. iFiler, registered in England under Company Registration Number 15996173, has prepared this content to offer general insights into financial and taxation matters. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information at the time of publication, no guarantee is given regarding completeness, accuracy or suitability for your specific circumstances.
Readers should not act, or refrain from acting, based solely on the information contained in this content. Professional advice tailored to your personal or business situation should always be obtained before taking any financial or tax related decision. iFiler accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information presented in this blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the second MTD quarterly update due?
7 November 2026. You can submit any time from the end of your update period up to the deadline. The first update was due 7 August 2026, the next two fall on 7 February and 7 May 2027.
What period does the 7 November update cover?
For standard quarters, it covers 6 April to 5 October 2026. Each update is cumulative from the start of the tax year, so it restates the whole six months, not just the last three. If you report on calendar quarters, your period is 1 April to 30 September, and the deadline is still 7 November.
Will I get penalty points if I miss 7 November?
No. HMRC is not issuing penalty points for late quarterly updates during the first 12 months of MTD for Income Tax (until April 2027). But the updates are still required: HMRC must receive them before you can file your 2026/27 tax return. From April 2027, each missed update earns one point, and four points bring a £200 penalty.
I missed the 7 August update. What should I do?
Send it as soon as your figures to 5 July are in your software. Because updates are cumulative, catching up now keeps your records clean and makes the 7 November submission straightforward.
What if HMRC signs me up automatically?
Since September 2026, HMRC has been registering people in stages who it believes should be using MTD for Income Tax but have not signed up. If this happens to you, check your details carefully (HMRC’s records may be out of date), choose compatible software, and verify that your agent knows, as they are not notified automatically.
