MTD Thresholds 2026, 2027 and 2028 —
The Complete Phase-by-Phase Breakdown
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is rolling out in three confirmed phases, each with a lower income threshold than the last. By April 2028, more than two million UK sole traders and landlords will be required to comply. This guide breaks down exactly what each threshold means, who it applies to, and when.
The Three Phases at a Glance
Phase 1 — April 2026, £50,000 Threshold
Phase 1 began on 6 April 2026. If your combined self-employment and UK property rental income exceeded £50,000 in the 2024–25 tax year, you are live since April 2026. Your first quarterly submission deadline was 7 August 2026 (Q1, covering 6 April – 5 July 2026), and the next is 7 November 2026.
This is the largest single group affected — roughly 700,000 sole traders and landlords, including most full-time self-employed people and landlords with substantial portfolios.
Phase 2 — April 2027, £30,000 Threshold
Phase 2 begins on 6 April 2027. If your combined self-employment and UK property rental income is between £30,000 and £50,000 in the 2025–26 tax year, you will become mandatory at this point, bringing more sole traders and landlords into scope.
If you are in this band now, you have time to prepare but should not be complacent. 2025–26 (the tax year running 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026) is the year that determines your Phase 2 status, and that year has already begun.
Phase 3 — April 2028, £20,000 Threshold
Phase 3 begins on 6 April 2028 and was confirmed in the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025. If your combined self-employment and UK property rental income is between £20,000 and £30,000 in the 2026–27 tax year, you will become mandatory — bringing in the largest group yet, around 900,000 additional taxpayers.
This is the lowest threshold confirmed to date. There is currently no announced threshold or date for taxpayers below £20,000.
Full Comparison Table
| Phase | Start Date | Threshold | Assessed Tax Year | First Q1 Deadline | Est. Taxpayers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 6 April 2026 | Over £50,000 | 2024–25 | 7 August 2026 | 864,000+ (HMRC, July 2026) |
| Phase 2 | 6 April 2027 | Over £30,000 | 2025–26 | 7 August 2027 | More |
| Phase 3 | 6 April 2028 | Over £20,000 | 2026–27 | 7 August 2028 | More |
How Your Phase Is Determined
Your MTD phase is based on your qualifying income in a specific prior tax year — not your current income, and not a future projection. This is important: you cannot simply look at this year's income to know your phase.
| If your income in... | Was... | You join MTD on... |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Over £50,000 | 6 April 2026 (now) |
| 2025–26 | £30,000 – £50,000 | 6 April 2027 |
| 2026–27 | £20,000 – £30,000 | 6 April 2028 |
What If Your Income Crosses a Threshold Mid-Way?
Income naturally fluctuates year to year. Here is how the thresholds interact with changing income:
- Income rising above a threshold: If your income in the relevant assessment year crosses above £20,000, £30,000, or £50,000, you become mandatory for MTD from the corresponding April following that assessment year.
- Income falling below a threshold: If you are already in MTD (e.g. Phase 1) and your income subsequently drops below £50,000, you do not automatically exit MTD. You remain in MTD unless you formally apply to HMRC to stop — and HMRC's current guidance suggests once you are in MTD, ongoing very low income may still require continued compliance unless you qualify for a specific exemption.
- Income hovering near a threshold: If your income is close to a threshold boundary, monitor it carefully each tax year. A small increase that pushes you over £30,000 in 2025–26, for example, brings you into Phase 2 even if you were previously well below.
Will There Be a Phase 4?
As of June 2026, there is no confirmed Phase 4 and no announced threshold below £20,000. The Spring Statement of 26 March 2025 confirmed Phase 3 (£20,000, April 2028) as the lowest threshold to date. Whether MTD will eventually extend to all sole traders and landlords regardless of income, similar to how MTD for VAT eventually became universal for VAT-registered businesses — remains unconfirmed. Monitor GOV.UK for future announcements, particularly around Budget and Spring Statement dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MTD threshold for 2026?
The MTD threshold for Phase 1, which began 6 April 2026, is qualifying income over £50,000 in the 2024–25 tax year. This affects around 700,000 sole traders and landlords and is already mandatory.
What is the MTD threshold for 2027?
The MTD threshold for Phase 2, starting 6 April 2027, is qualifying income over £30,000 in the 2025–26 tax year. This brings approximately 500,000 additional sole traders and landlords into MTD. There is currently no confirmed soft landing for Phase 2.
What is the MTD threshold for 2028?
The MTD threshold for Phase 3, starting 6 April 2028, is qualifying income over £20,000 in the 2026–27 tax year. This is set out in HMRC's guidance and brings more sole traders and landlords into MTD.
How do I know which MTD phase applies to me?
Your phase is determined by your qualifying income (self-employment plus UK property rental, gross) in the relevant prior tax year. If your 2024–25 income exceeded £50,000, you are Phase 1 (April 2026). If between £30,000 and £50,000, you are Phase 2 (April 2027), based on your 2025–26 income. If between £20,000 and £30,000, you are Phase 3 (April 2028), based on your 2026–27 income.
Will there be an MTD threshold below £20,000?
There is no confirmed threshold below £20,000 and no announced date for taxpayers below this level to join MTD. The £20,000 threshold for April 2028 is the lowest confirmed to date, announced in the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025.
If my income fluctuates around the threshold, what happens?
Your MTD obligation is assessed each year based on your qualifying income in the relevant prior tax year. If your income drops below the threshold in a later year, you may be able to apply to HMRC to stop MTD submissions, though you cannot simply stop without approval. If your income rises above a threshold you previously sat below, you become mandatory from the relevant following April.
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