Guides › MTD From April 2027: First-Year Timetable and Weekends
MTD From April 2027: First-Year Timetable and Weekends
General information only, not tax advice. We are not HMRC and are not affiliated with it. Check GOV.UK and consider a qualified adviser. Last checked against GOV.UK: 17 October 2026. Examples use made-up figures. Anything marked expected is our calculation, not an HMRC-published date.
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Short answer: HMRC says people whose 2025 to 2026 return shows qualifying income over £30,000 start on 6 April 2027. HMRC's timetable for people starting in April 2026 is: first update by 7 August 2026, then 7 November 2026, 7 February 2027, 7 May 2027, and the tax return by 31 January 2028. Applying the same pattern to an April 2027 start gives the expected dates below. They are our calculation; HMRC's page we read shows the 2026 version only.
| Step | Expected date for April 2027 start | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Digital records start | 6 April 2027 (standard) or 1 April 2027 (calendar) | Tuesday / Thursday |
| First update | 7 August 2027 | Saturday |
| Second update | 7 November 2027 | Sunday |
| Third update | 7 February 2028 | Monday |
| Fourth update | 7 May 2028 | Sunday |
| Tax return and tax bill | 31 January 2029 | Wednesday |
Weekend dates
Three of the update deadlines fall on a weekend. We did not find a statement on the HMRC pages read about whether a weekend deadline moves; so don't rely on a shift, and send on the previous working day if you can. You can send early (see early updates).
Before then
- You still file the 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment return as normal by 31 January 2027 (checklist).
- Check your eligibility with HMRC's tool (who needs to join).
FAQ
Is the penalty regime different? See penalties; we don't confirm 2027-28 specifics beyond HMRC's page.
What we could not verify
- HMRC's published 2027 to 2028 timetable (not on the pages read).
- Weekend treatment of MTD deadlines.
Sources (official)
- GOV.UK (HMRC), Using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for the first time — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/using-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-for-the-first-time (read 17 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (HMRC), Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Send quarterly updates — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/send-quarterly-updates (read 17 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (HMRC), Submit your tax return — https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax/submit-your-tax-return (read 17 October 2026)
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Not tax advice. Examples use made-up figures. Nothing here has been reviewed by a tax professional. See the disclosure.