Digital Nomad
Making Tax Digital: What Sole Traders & Landlords Must Do Next
The UK’s expansion of 'Making Tax Digital for Income Tax' requires new digital quarterly reports for many—this article gives non-UK and UK-resident cross-border individuals practical compliance advice.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • September 7, 2026
## What is “Making Tax Digital for Income Tax” (MTD-IT)?
Beginning **April 2026**, sole traders and landlords in the UK with income over **£50,000** must keep **digital records** and submit **quarterly updates** to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/436000-sole-traders-and-landlords-make-their-tax-digital?utm_source=openai)) As of **August 2026**, over **436,000** have made their first advance quarterly update; signing up begins in **September 2026** for those who haven’t yet joined. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/436000-sole-traders-and-landlords-make-their-tax-digital?utm_source=openai))
## Who this affects globally
- UK-resident individuals/expatsarian landlords with UK income sources.
- Non-UK residents receiving UK rental income.
- Digital nomads with UK business income or landlords.
## What you need to do to comply
- Use **recognised software** that meets HMRC’s digital requirements—spreadsheets aren’t sufficient unless processed by certified software.
- **Quarterly updates** must cover income, expenses, and computation of profit/loss.
- **Digital recordkeeping**: supporting documents like invoices, receipts, should be stored digitally.
- **Sign up** before deadlines—in September 2026 HMRC begins enrolling those overdue. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/436000-sole-traders-and-landlords-make-their-tax-digital?utm_source=openai))
## Risks of non-compliance
- Eventually penalties for late or non-filed quarterly updates will apply.
- Delays in claiming reliefs or deductions tied to UK income.
- For those operating cross-border, failure to comply may trigger audit exposure in both UK and foreign home jurisdictions.
## Cross-border tax planning tips under MTD-IT
- If you split your time internationally, assess whether your UK home or UK business income triggers the £50,000 threshold.
- Use multi-currency software that can convert and track income and expenses from abroad.
- Ensure invoices from remote clients or platforms contain sufficient detail for HMRC’s requirements.
- Keep digital backups—cloud storage with encryption is recommended.
## Practical Timeline
| Date | Action |
|------|--------|
| April 2026 | Requirement begins for over £50,000 sole traders & landlords. |
| August 2026 | First quarterly update submitted by many. |
| September 2026 | HMRC begins signing up those who haven’t yet joined. |
**Bottom line:** If you derive UK business or rental income, maintaining digital records & submitting quarterly updates isn’t optional—plan now to stay compliant and avoid penalty exposure.