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Making Tax Digital: Freelancers have until August to submit their first self-assessment – are they ready?

ended 17. April 2026

Freelancers and the self-employed have until August to submit their first self-assessment with Making Tax Digital – but are they ready?

Millions are being forced to submit quarterly self-assessments – but Business111 research has found that just 5% have registered for Making Tax Digital so far despite it coming into effect this month.

Little do many know that they need to file their first self-assessments in the middle of the school holidays on 7 August.

Quarterly deadlines for 2026–27:

  • 6 April – 5 July (file by 7 August)
  • 6 July – 5 October (file by 7 November)
  • 6 October – 5 January (file by 7 February)
  • 6 January – 5 April (file by 7 May)

Questions: 

  • Are freelancers and the self-employed ready for Making Tax Digital?
  • What practical steps do they need to do to be compliant?
  • Is the first date in the middle of the school holidays problematic?
  • Are you surprised that so many have not registered yet?

Responses this afternoon please.

2 responses from the Newspage community

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Colette Mason
AI Ethics Consultant at Clever Clogs AI
I've only had three accountants in the last 30 years and all three wanted me to use tools like Xero and FreeAgent or I couldn't become a client. I am amazed people have avoided it for so long. It does make life easier and it's a lot less stress than riflng through digital shoeboxes looking for a big purchase PDF that's gone AWOL. The expensive fees relative to other business subscriptions (even though more people are onboard now) is not so great. I suspect that extra cost is what put off many a cash-strapped solopreneur alongside an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality.
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Louise Agran
Marketing at Sampson Fielding
Stephen Lerner, Partner at Sampson Fielding Chartered Accountants, said: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is approaching, and the first key deadline is 7 August 2026. By then, impacted individuals must have digital records in place and submit their first quarterly update covering 6 April to 5 July.
To prepare, you need compatible software, accurate digital record keeping and a clear process for capturing income and expenses throughout the quarter. Leaving this until the deadline risks errors, missed submissions and unnecessary stress.
At Sampson Fielding, we have already registered all relevant clients for Making Tax Digital and are supporting them with the right systems and processes to stay compliant.
If you are unsure whether you are ready, now is the time to act. Getting set up early makes the transition far smoother and avoids last minute issues.