Before You Start
Before signing up for MTD for Income Tax, you’ll need:[1]
- A Government Gateway user ID and password — the same one you use for Self Assessment
- Your National Insurance number
- Your business start date (if self-employed)
- Details of your accounting period (usually 6 April to 5 April)
- HMRC-recognised compatible software chosen and ready to use[4]
Check if you need to sign up: Use HMRC’s online checker to find out whether you’re required to use MTD, and from which tax year.[3]
Sign Up as an Individual
If you’re self-employed or a landlord signing up for yourself:[1]
Step 1: Log into your HMRC online account
Go to GOV.UK HMRC online services and sign in with your Government Gateway credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to Making Tax Digital
In your HMRC account, go to the Income Tax section and look for the option to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment.
Step 3: Confirm your details
HMRC will ask you to confirm your:
- National Insurance number
- Business type (self-employment, property, or both)
- Accounting period dates
Step 4: Link your software
Connect your HMRC-recognised software (such as #GoFile) to your HMRC account. Your software will guide you through the authorisation process.
Step 5: Start keeping digital records
From your sign-up date, you must keep digital records of all qualifying income and expenses. See our Keeping Digital Records guide for details.
Sign Up as an Agent (for Clients)
Accountants and tax agents can sign up clients for MTD:[2]
- You’ll need an agent services account linked to your Government Gateway
- Your client must have authorised you to act on their behalf
- You can sign up multiple clients through your agent dashboard
- Once signed up, you can submit quarterly updates and the Final Declaration on your client’s behalf
For accountants: GoFile offers dedicated agent pricing with bulk client management. Manage unlimited clients from a single dashboard.
Voluntary Sign-Up
Even if you’re not yet mandated (i.e. your qualifying income is below the threshold), you can voluntarily join MTD from April 2026. You’ll still need MTD Income Tax software to file your updates.[5]
Benefits of early sign-up:
- Get familiar with the system before it becomes mandatory for you
- See a real-time view of your tax position throughout the year
- Spread the workload across four quarters instead of one January rush
- If you decide it’s not for you, you can leave MTD (as long as you’re not yet mandated)
When Should You Sign Up?
Sign up before the start of the tax year you want to begin filing under MTD. For example:
- If mandated from April 2026, sign up by 5 April 2026
- If signing up voluntarily, you can register at any time from when HMRC opens the service
Don’t leave it until the last minute — you’ll need time to set up your software, import any existing records, and get comfortable with the system before your first quarterly deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
Log into your HMRC online account with Government Gateway, navigate to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, confirm your details (NI number, business type, accounting period), and link HMRC-recognised compatible software such as GoFile.
Can my accountant sign me up for MTD?
Yes. Accountants and tax agents can sign up clients through their agent services account linked to Government Gateway. The client must first authorise the agent to act on their behalf.
Can I sign up for MTD voluntarily?
Yes. Even if your qualifying income is below the mandatory threshold, you can voluntarily join MTD from April 2026. This lets you get familiar with the system, see a real-time tax position, and spread workload across quarterly updates.
What do I need before signing up for MTD?
You need a Government Gateway user ID and password, your National Insurance number, your business start date, details of your accounting period, and HMRC-recognised compatible software chosen and ready to use.
Further Reading
- What is MTD for Income Tax? — overview and thresholds
- Keeping Digital Records for MTD — what HMRC requires
- MTD Income Tax Deadlines — all quarterly dates
Looking for simple Income Tax MTD software?
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Sources
- Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK
- Sign up your client for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK
- Find out if and when you need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK
- Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — GOV.UK
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for sole traders and landlords: step by step — GOV.UK