Farming income presents specific complications for Making Tax Digital that most generic MTD guides miss entirely. Farmers using profit averaging relief, those with fluctuating livestock income, and those affected by the Furnished Holiday Let (FHL) abolition all face nuances that affect when and how MTD applies. Crucially, farmers using averaging adjustments qualify for an automatic one-year deferral to April 2027 — a significant relief many farm businesses may not be aware of.
If you are a farmer using profit averaging relief (2-year or 5-year averaging), you qualify for an automatic one-year deferral. You do not need to apply — HMRC grants this deferral automatically.
| Farmer type | Normal Phase 1 start | Deferral applies? | Actual start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer using 2-year averaging (income over £50k) | April 2026 | ✓ Auto deferral | April 2027 |
| Farmer using 5-year averaging (income over £50k) | April 2026 | ✓ Auto deferral | April 2027 |
| Farmer NOT using averaging (income over £50k) | April 2026 | ✗ | April 2026 — now |
| Farmer with income £30k–£50k (not averaging) | April 2027 | — | April 2027 |
The deferral applies to the MTD start date only. When you do enter MTD in April 2027, averaging adjustments will still be available as part of your Final Declaration — MTD does not remove averaging relief.
MTD qualifying income for farmers includes all self-employment income from farming activities:
Does not count: Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) successor payments (Sustainable Farming Incentive / ELMS payments) — these are grants, not trading income for MTD threshold purposes. HMRC has confirmed grant income is excluded from qualifying income.
From 6 April 2025, Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHLs) lost all special tax treatment. Many farm businesses used FHL designation for holiday cottages and glamping sites. Since April 2025, this income is now ordinary UK property rental income.
For MTD purposes: former FHL income now counts as UK property income and does contribute to your MTD qualifying income threshold alongside self-employment farming income. A farmer with £35,000 farming income and £18,000 from former FHLs has £53,000 qualifying income — in scope from April 2026 if not using averaging.
Sustainable Farming Incentive payments, Countryside Stewardship payments, and other ELMS scheme payments are government grants — not trading income. HMRC has confirmed these do not count towards the MTD qualifying income threshold. However, they remain taxable as other income and must be declared in your Final Declaration.
| Software | Farm suitability | Monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | ★★★★★ | £16 | Best for complex farm accounts with accountants |
| Sage Accounting | ★★★★☆ | £15 | Good VAT handling for mixed farming businesses |
| QuickBooks | ★★★★☆ | £14 | Strong mileage and vehicle tracking |
| FreeAgent | ★★★☆☆ | £19 | Works for simpler farm sole traders |
Farmers using the herd basis election for production animals (dairy cows, breeding ewes, breeding sows) continue to use it under MTD. The herd basis is an accounting treatment that affects profit calculation — it operates at Final Declaration level and does not change how quarterly updates are submitted. Your software records receipts and payments; the herd basis adjustment is made when preparing the Final Declaration, typically by your accountant.
No — the deferral is automatic. If your 2024–25 Self Assessment return includes a profit averaging claim, HMRC will automatically defer your MTD start date to April 2027. You do not need to apply or notify HMRC.
No. HMRC has confirmed that BPS, SFI, Countryside Stewardship and other government grant payments do not count as qualifying income for the MTD threshold. Only trading income (crops, livestock, contracting) and UK property income count.
MTD for partnerships has no confirmed mandatory date as of mid-2026. If your farm operates as a partnership, you are not currently in scope for MTD. Individual partners with separate sole trader income alongside the partnership should check whether their personal income crosses the threshold.
From 6 April 2025, former FHL income is ordinary UK property income. It counts towards your MTD qualifying income threshold alongside your farming self-employment income. The combined total determines whether you are in scope and from which phase.
Only if it becomes HMRC-approved for MTD. Check the HMRC approved software list at gov.uk before your MTD start date. If your current farm software is not MTD-compliant, you will need to switch or add bridging software.