Can I do Making Tax Digital for Income Tax without an accountant?

Yes. There is no requirement to use an accountant for MTD for Income Tax. You need MTD-compatible software to keep digital records, send quarterly updates and submit your final declaration. Software like EasyTaxer is built for self-filers to do this themselves, step by step.

Do I need software to do MTD myself?

Yes. Under MTD for Income Tax you must keep digital records and send quarterly updates and your final declaration through MTD-compatible software that connects to HMRC's systems. You cannot file these directly on the HMRC website as you did with the old Self Assessment return.

Is it hard to do my own quarterly updates?

No. A quarterly update is a short summary of your income and expenses for a three-month period. Good software keeps a running total as you record transactions, so submitting an update is mostly a review-and-send step rather than fresh data entry.

Making Tax Digital without an accountant - a DIY guide for self-filers

Last reviewed: June 2026. Tax thresholds and dates are set by HMRC and may change - always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.

Yes - you can absolutely do this yourself

There is no rule that says you need an accountant for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for Income Tax). Hundreds of thousands of self-employed people and landlords already file their own Self Assessment return each year, and MTD doesn't change that - it changes the way you report, not who is allowed to do it.

What MTD does require is compatible software. You can no longer type figures straight into the HMRC website once you're in MTD - you keep digital records and send your updates through software that connects to HMRC for you. That's the one genuinely new thing. EasyTaxer is built specifically so a self-filer can do all of it without needing an accountant in the loop.

What changes, and what stays the same

What's new

You keep digital records instead of paper or a spreadsheet you transcribe at year end.
You send a short quarterly update four times a year.
You must use MTD-compatible software - not the HMRC website.

What's the same

You still report the same income and expenses.
Your final declaration is still due by 31 January.
You're still in control - no accountant required.

Doing it yourself, step by step

Pick MTD-compatible software

Choose software built for MTD for Income Tax. If you're self-employed or a landlord filing for yourself, you want something simple and purpose-built - not a full accounting suite designed for a bookkeeper. See what MTD for Income Tax is if you're new to it.

Connect once to HMRC

You authorise the software to talk to HMRC on your behalf using your existing Government Gateway sign-in. It's a one-off, secure step. Our connecting to HMRC guide walks through exactly what each permission means.

Record income and expenses as you go

Type entries in, import a spreadsheet, or (later) connect a bank feed. Doing a little each month is far less work than the old once-a-year scramble - and it keeps a running tax estimate in front of you.

Review and send each quarterly update

Four times a year you review the running totals and send them to HMRC. Because the figures are already there, it's a check-and-send step. See the how-to guide.

Finalise and submit your declaration

After the tax year ends you confirm your figures, add anything else (employment, savings, dividends) and submit your final declaration by 31 January - the same familiar deadline. That replaces the old annual return.

Built for MTD for Income Tax

EasyTaxer is purpose-built software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, developed against HMRC's MTD for Income Tax technical standards. It keeps your digital records, calculates your estimated tax as you go, and submits your quarterly updates and final declaration directly to HMRC's systems - so a self-filer never has to touch a spreadsheet macro or hire help they don't need.

Plain-English, step-by-step - designed for people doing their own tax.
Real-time tax estimates so there are no year-end surprises.
Deadline tracking so you always know what's due next.
Transparent pricing from £49/year - the final price is confirmed after you connect to HMRC.

Common questions

Do I have to use an accountant for MTD?

No. There's no requirement to use one. You do need MTD-compatible software, but you can run the whole process yourself.

Can I still file on the HMRC website like before?

Not once you're in MTD. Quarterly updates and the final declaration go through MTD-compatible software, which submits to HMRC for you.

What if I get stuck on a tax term?

Our plain-English glossary defines every term you'll meet, and the app guides you through each step.

Do your own MTD, the easy way

Read the getting-started guide Register now

Making Tax Digital without an accountant.