Checklists
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) – Accountant Checklist
Preview Checklist
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) Accountant/Agent Checklist
1. Check if your client needs to sign up
☐Confirm client is registered for Self-Assessment. ☐Confirm client earns income from self-employment, property, or both. ☐Check client’s gross qualifying income:-
- Over £50,000 → Must start from 6 April 2026.
- Over £30,000 → Must start from 6 April 2027.
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- Employment (PAYE).
- Partnerships (unless disguised management fees apply).
- Dividends, savings, pensions, etc.
2. Work out your client’s qualifying income
☐Include gross self-employment income and gross property income. ☐If property is jointly owned, include only client’s share. ☐If client uses cash basis and is VAT-registered, confirm if VAT is included or excluded. ☐Adjust qualifying income if client has part-year trading (annualised gross income).3. Create your Agent Services Account (ASA)
☐Register for an Agent Services Account if you don’t already have one. ☐You must be:-
- A director, partner, or sole trader of the firm.
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- Firm’s UTR, postcode, Companies House number (if any), VAT number (if any), and anti-money laundering details.
4. Get compatible software
☐Find MTD ITSA-compatible software that can:-
- Create, store, and correct digital records.
- Send quarterly updates to HMRC.
- Submit final tax returns.
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- Calendar periods if accounting year is 1 April–31 March.
- Multiple income sources (self-employment, UK property, foreign property).
5. Prepare client authorisation
☐Get client’s permission to sign them up for MTD ITSA. ☐If already authorised for Self Assessment:-
- Link client to ASA if necessary.
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- Request digital authorisation through your ASA.
6. Sign up your client for MTD ITSA
☐Check client eligibility (must meet voluntary sign-up conditions if signing up early). ☐Gather client details:-
- Full name, date of birth, NI number.
- Business name, address, start date, nature of trade (if sole trader).
- Accounting method (cash or traditional).
7. Create and maintain client’s digital records
☐Maintain digital records for:-
- Self-employment income and expenses.
- Property rental income and expenses.
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- Record client’s share separately.
- Optionally simplify quarterly updates (aggregate joint property income).
8. Send quarterly updates
☐Ensure updates are submitted for each business/property every 3 months:-
- 6 April–5 July → Deadline 7 August
- 6 April–5 October → Deadline 7 November
- 6 April–5 January → Deadline 7 February
- 6 April–5 April → Deadline 7 May
9. Adjust at year-end
☐After the 4th update:-
- Apply tax adjustments (disallowable expenses, private use).
- Apply accounting adjustments (prepayments, accruals).
- Adjust for 1–5 April if using calendar periods.
- Apply relevant reliefs (e.g., capital allowances, trading allowance).
10. Finalise and submit client’s tax return
☐Confirm all income sources are declared (business + personal). ☐Finalise Income Tax position in the client’s MTD-compatible software. ☐Submit full tax return via software by 31 January following tax year-end.11. Ongoing compliance
☐Retain all digital records for at least 5 years after 31 January deadline. ☐Monitor client’s payments on account (if applicable). ☐Stay alert to:-
- Changes in client’s business circumstances.
- Exemptions or opt-outs (if circumstances justify).
⭐ Important Special Situations for Agents
Situation | What to Do |
Client joins after 6 April 2026 | Start MTD only after filing their first Self Assessment return. |
Clients with turnover under £30,000 | Not yet mandatory (future timeline pending). |
Client ceases self-employment/property letting | Update HMRC via online services. |
Bridging software users | Maintain strict digital links without manual copy-paste. |
Testing phase sign-ups | No quarterly update penalties during the 2025–2026 test year. |
📌 Agent Summary Flow
- Confirm client’s eligibility.
- Create and secure Agent Services Account (ASA).
- Set up compatible software.
- Request client authorisation.
- Sign up client via ASA.
- Create ongoing digital records.
- File quarterly updates.
- Make year-end adjustments.
- Submit final tax return.
- Manage compliance, payments, and changes.
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