MTD quarterly update deadlines
Short answer: MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates are due by 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. For 2026/27 that is 7 August 2026, 7 November 2026, 7 February 2027 and 7 May 2027.
Last updated: · Last checked against GOV.UK: · Markdown version
General information, not tax or financial advice. Check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified adviser about your own situation.
| Standard period (tax year) | Calendar period | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April – 5 July | 1 April – 30 June | 7 August |
| 6 April – 5 October | 1 April – 30 September | 7 November |
| 6 April – 5 January | 1 April – 31 December | 7 February |
| 6 April – 5 April | 1 April – 31 March | 7 May (following tax year) |
For 2026/27 that means 7 August 2026, 7 November 2026, 7 February 2027 and 7 May 2027. Updates are cumulative summaries of income and expenses, not tax returns. You cannot switch between standard and calendar periods after sending a quarterly update for that year. Your return is still due by 31 January.
A monthly habit makes this easy: log income and expenses every month in one sheet with SA103 categories, and each quarter is a copy-and-submit job.
Frequently asked questions
What are the MTD quarterly update deadlines?
7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May (the following tax year). The deadlines are the same whether you use standard or calendar update periods.
What periods do the updates cover?
Standard periods are cumulative from 6 April: to 5 July, 5 October, 5 January and 5 April. Calendar periods run from 1 April and end on 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March.
What if I miss a quarterly deadline?
From 2027/28 each late update gets a penalty point, and 4 points brings a £200 penalty. HMRC will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates in 2026/27.
Can I send updates early or more often?
Yes. You can send one any time between the end of the period and the deadline, and you can send more often as long as each update covers the full period from the start of the year.