Making Tax Digital deadlines

When quarterly updates for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax are due, on both kinds of update period, with a calendar file you can download. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax only. Separate rules apply to VAT.

The short answer

Quarterly updates are due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. Each update covers the tax year so far, not just the last three months. These are the planned deadlines under HMRC’s rules, not your confirmed obligations, which your software and HMRC online services show.

You still send a tax return by 31 January after the tax year. This page covers quarterly updates only; they are not four tax returns.

Deadlines for 2026 to 2027

Tax year

The first year you use Making Tax Digital is the tax year your start date begins. Years after 2026 to 2027 are planned under the rules as checked now.

Standard update periods

From 6 April, the start of the tax year.

Standard update periods, 2026 to 2027
UpdatePeriod coveredDeadline
Quarter 16 April 2026 to 5 July 20267 August 2026
Quarter 26 April 2026 to 5 October 20267 November 2026
Quarter 36 April 2026 to 5 January 20277 February 2027
Quarter 46 April 2026 to 5 April 20277 May 2027

Calendar update periods

From 1 April, which some businesses find easier to match to their records.

Calendar update periods, 2026 to 2027
UpdatePeriod coveredDeadline
Quarter 11 April 2026 to 30 June 20267 August 2026
Quarter 21 April 2026 to 30 September 20267 November 2026
Quarter 31 April 2026 to 31 December 20267 February 2027
Quarter 41 April 2026 to 31 March 20277 May 2027

Deadlines are not moved for weekends or bank holidays. “Deadline passed” only means the date has gone by: this page cannot know whether you have sent an update. You choose standard or calendar periods in your software, and you cannot change them for a tax year once you have sent an update for it.

Add the deadlines to your calendar

This downloads a calendar file. It does not subscribe you to updates or confirm your HMRC filing obligations.

Update periods
Reminders (optional)

Your calendar app may handle imported reminders in its own way.

Not sure whether you need to start?

Check whether Making Tax Digital applies to you, and from which tax year. See also Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: your next steps.

Sources — HMRC guidance

Rules checked: 4 October 2026 · How we calculate →

Planned deadlines under HMRC’s rules as checked on 4 October 2026. They are not a confirmation of your own obligations. Not tax advice.