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We answer the most common landlord questions about Making Tax Digital so you can feel prepared and compliant well before the deadlines.
Head of Real Estate Education and Editorial at Landlord Studio
Landlord Guide Chapters
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is one of the biggest changes to landlord tax in decades. While the goal is to modernize the tax system and close the tax gap, the rules can feel complicated, and many landlords are unsure how it will affect them.
This collection is designed to answer the most common landlord questions about Making Tax Digital so you can feel prepared and compliant well before the deadlines.
Making Tax Digital is a UK government initiative that requires certain taxpayers to keep digital records and submit updates to HMRC using approved software. For landlords, this primarily applies to rental income and property-related expenses.
Making Tax Digital is being implemented in phases with higher earners hit first. This is to give everyone time to adjust.
Read The Complete Guide To MTD for Landlords →
The government estimates billions are lost each year due to errors in self-assessment. By moving to a digital-first system, HMRC aims to reduce mistakes, increase accuracy, and simplify compliance for landlords.
Note: While there are some exemptions available (such as certain age, disability, or lack of digital access) HMRC expects almost everyone to comply once their combined qualifying income is above the MTD threshold.
📥 Download the Fact Sheet for a simple, printable summary of key MTD rules for landlords.
Here are some of the most important questions we cover with detailed examples and scenarios. Click through for the full answers:
Question 1: How Does Reporting Jointly Owned Property Income Work Under MTD? →
If you own a property with a spouse, family member, or business partner, each owner must report their share of the rental income and expenses separately under MTD.
Question 2: Can You Use Excel for MTD? →
Excel alone does not meet MTD requirements. You can use a third-party bridging software to submit to HMRC; however, this introduces additional complexity and non-compliance risks.
Question 3: What Are Digital Records? →
Landlords need to keep digital records of all rental income and allowable expenses, including dates, amounts, and categories — all stored in MTD-compliant software.
Question 4: Who Qualifies for MTD Exemptions and How to Apply? →
Exemptions are limited and typically apply to those who can’t use digital tools for reasons such as disability, age, or lack of internet access. You must apply directly to HMRC to claim an exemption.
Question 5: MTD for Income Tax: Which Types of Income Count Towards the £50,000 MTD Threshold? →
The threshold includes combined income from all self-employment and property rental sources before expenses, so multiple properties or side businesses are added together.
Looking for more details? Check out our extended article →
Instead of worrying about compliance, you can use Landlord Studio, a property management and accounting software designed with landlords in mind.
With Landlord Studio, you can:
Stay fully compliant with MTD requirements. Try Landlord Studio for FREE and make sure you’re ready before the MTD deadline arrives.
