HMRC is continuing its move towards a more digital tax system, and from April 2026, many sole traders and landlords will need to keep digital records and submit updates every quarter, rather than just once a year.

For some, that sounds like extra admin. In reality, it’s more of a shift in habit than anything else.

The biggest issue we see isn’t the submission itself—it’s that many businesses are still relying on spreadsheets or records that only get updated once a year. That approach is going to make things harder under MTD, not easier.

The good news is that clients who move early tend to find things actually improve. Keeping records up to date gives you a much clearer picture of how your business is performing throughout the year. It also means fewer surprises when it comes to your tax bill.

Where people run into trouble is leaving it too late. Rushed transitions usually lead to messy data, frustration, and more time (and cost) sorting things out than necessary.

That’s why we’re encouraging clients to start thinking about this now.

At Hilton Jones, we’re already helping clients get set up properly—reviewing how records are kept, moving them onto the right systems, and making sure everything works smoothly well before the deadline arrives.

We’ve also spent time sourcing and testing the software we recommend, so you can be confident that what you’re using is both compliant and genuinely works for your business.

If you’re an existing client and haven’t yet started the process, now is a good time to get in touch. We’ll guide you through it step by step and make sure you’re set up properly, without any last-minute stress.