Question 1

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Accepted Answer

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requires the self-employed to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC through the year, with a year-end tax return after it. It is mandatory from April 2026 for those with qualifying income over £50,000.

Question 2

Who needs to use DoneSE?

Accepted Answer

The UK self-employed with qualifying income over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028 must use Making Tax Digital compatible software. DoneSE is built specifically for the self-employed.

Question 3

Is DoneSE available to use now?

Accepted Answer

DoneSE is in early access ahead of public launch. Get started and we'll email you the moment your account is ready.

Question 4

What happens if I miss a submission?

Accepted Answer

HMRC uses a points-based penalty system. Each missed deadline adds a penalty point, and once you reach four points a £200 penalty applies, with a further £200 for each missed deadline after that. There are no penalties for late quarterly updates in the first year (2026/27). The first-year easement covers quarterly updates only - the year-end tax return deadline still applies as normal.

Question 5

What is the best Making Tax Digital software for the self-employed?

Accepted Answer

DoneSE is purpose-built for the UK self-employed - not adapted from a general accounting tool. Enter your income and expenses, categorise them against HMRC expense types, check your quarter, and submit your quarterly update directly to HMRC.

Question 6

What are the Making Tax Digital quarterly deadlines?

Accepted Answer

The four quarterly deadlines are 7 August, 7 November, 7 February, and 7 May. You also need to submit your year-end tax return by 31 January following the tax year end. DoneSE tracks your four quarterly deadlines, and you file your year-end tax return from DoneSE too.

Blog

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: where it came from, where it is now, and how DoneSE works