HMRC has expanded its guidance on Making Tax Digital quarterly updates, explaining where landlords using the service can check that an update was sent. The guidance was updated on 16 October.
After sending an update through compatible software, sign in to HMRC online services using the details you used to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. The recent activity section will show “You sent a quarterly update”.
The revised guide also explains the tax estimate available after an update. You can see it in your compatible software and HMRC online account. It uses your self-employment and property figures alongside other information HMRC already holds. The estimate can be less accurate if you have other income you have not yet told HMRC about, or if your accounting period differs from the tax year.
A further clarification covers reporting periods. Software defaults to standard periods aligned with the tax year. To use calendar periods instead, you must select them in your software before sending your first quarterly update. Once you have sent an update, you cannot change periods for the rest of that tax year.
Our current Making Tax Digital guide explains who needs to use the service and the reporting timetable.
Sources
- HMRC: Send quarterly updates, updated 16 October 2026.
- HMRC: guidance update history, 16 October 2026 entries.
