MTD for sole traders in Dartford: your 2026 readiness checklist
From 6 April 2026, Dartford sole traders with income over £50,000 must keep digital records and file quarterly under Making Tax Digital. A plain-English checklist to get ready before the deadline.
If you run your own business in Dartford — a trade, a freelance practice, a side hustle that has grown — Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA) will change how you report to HMRC. The annual paper-trail-and-panic approach is ending, replaced by digital records and quarterly updates.
The good news: with a little preparation, the transition is straightforward. Here is exactly what applies to you, and when.
Who is affected — and when
“Qualifying income” is your gross self-employment income before expenses — not your profit. A Dartford builder, designer or consultant turning over £55,000 with £15,000 of costs is in scope, even though their profit is £40,000.
- From 6 April 2026 — sole traders with qualifying income over £50,000
- From 6 April 2027 — the threshold falls to £30,000
- From April 2028 — planned to fall again to £20,000
What changes in practice
- Keep your records digitally in MTD-compatible software — spreadsheets and shoeboxes no longer count
- Send HMRC a quarterly summary update (deadlines 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, 7 May)
- Submit a final declaration after year end, replacing the annual tax return
The penalty regime is changing too
Late quarterly updates now earn points under HMRC’s new penalty system — reach the threshold and a £200 penalty applies, with separate interest and penalties on late payment. Missed deadlines compound quietly; getting set up early is the cheapest option by far.
Your Dartford readiness checklist
We offer Dartford sole traders a free MTD readiness check and a fixed-fee setup, including software configuration and handling every quarterly filing. Book a consultation and we will tell you exactly where you stand — with plenty of time before April 2026.
- Work out your qualifying income and your first MTD start date
- Choose compatible software (we support Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent and VT)
- Move your records across before your start date — not after
- Decide who files your quarterly updates: you, or your accountant
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK — Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
- GOV.UK — MTD ITSA thresholds and timelines
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