Digital Nomad
Digital Expansion: What Lowering the MTD Income Threshold Means for UK Sole Traders & Landlords
By April 2028, many more individuals will need to use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — here’s what changes, who’s affected, and how to be ready.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • August 22, 2026
## What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax?
MTD is a UK initiative aiming to bring tax reporting fully online and digital. For Income Tax Self Assessment, taxpayers with qualifying income must keep digital records and submit **quarterly updates plus an annual final return** using compatible software.
## New Thresholds & Effective Dates
- **Current mandatory threshold**: Sole traders and landlords with income above **£30,000** from April 2027. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-self-assessment-reducing-the-mandation-threshold-from-30000-to-20000-from-april-2028/reduction-of-the-mandation-threshold-from-30000-to-20000-from-april-2028?utm_source=openai))
- **New threshold**: Reduced to **£20,000** from **6 April 2028**, bringing nearly 1 million more individuals into scope. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-self-assessment-reducing-the-mandation-threshold-from-30000-to-20000-from-april-2028/reduction-of-the-mandation-threshold-from-30000-to-20000-from-april-2028?utm_source=openai))
- **In-scope individuals**: Sole traders and landlords; certain investment income and property income will contribute to threshold calculation.
## Who Becomes Newly Affected?
You will need to use MTD if you:
- Earn over £20,000 sole trader profit per year or
- Receive income as landlord above that threshold or
- Are already under the threshold but expect to exceed it by April 2028.
## What You Need to Do to Prepare
- **Get compatible software**: Use one certified for MTD Income Tax that supports quarterly updates, digital record-keeping, and an annual final return.
- **Update accounting habits**: Move from annual accounts/bookkeeping to continuous tracking of income/expenses.
- **Register ahead**: Understand the sign-up process; know deadlines for voluntary vs mandatory enrolment. Staggering helps manage workload.
- **Seek advice** if combining property income, self-employment, or non-routine sources, as these complicate the ‘qualifying income’ calculation.
## Example Scenario
Alice is a sole trader with self-employment turnover of £18,000 and rental income of £5,000 — total qualifying income £23,000. From April 2028, she will need to use MTD: she must maintain digital records, send quarterly updates, and file her final Self Assessment via software.
## Benefits & Challenges
**Pros**:
- Get updates on tax liability throughout the year, reducing surprises.
- Improved tidiness and business insights with up-to-date records.
- Reduced risk of penalties for late or incorrect submissions.
**Challenges**:
- Initial cost/time to set up software and processes.
- Need for discipline in recording receipts and expenses frequently.
- Learning curve, especially for landlords who haven’t used accounting software before.
## Actionable Steps
1. Evaluate current income sources and estimate whether you’ll reach £20,000 by 2028.
2. Research and purchase certified MTD software.
3. Build good record-keeping habits: date, amount, category, receipts.
4. Run mock quarterly updates to test readiness.
5. Stay updated via HMRC guidance and webinars.