Quarterly deadlines for landlords under Making Tax Digital

Under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, landlords in scope must submit four quarterly updates to HMRC per tax year. Missing a deadline earns a penalty point under HMRC’s points-based system. This guide sets out the deadlines and how to avoid missing them. Reviewed May 2026.

The four quarters

The quarterly update schedule follows the tax year (6 April to 5 April):

These deadlines are approximately one month after each quarter closes. HMRC may revise these — always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.

What the deadline requires

By the deadline, you must have:

1. Reviewed your income and expense records for the quarter
2. Ensured all transactions are categorised and assigned to the correct properties
3. Submitted the quarterly update to HMRC through your MTD software

The quarterly update is a summary of totals — not individual transaction records. But you need accurate records to produce accurate totals.

What happens if you miss a deadline

HMRC operates a points-based penalty system for late MTD submissions:

• Each missed quarterly update earns 1 penalty point
• When you accumulate 4 points within a period, HMRC issues a £200 penalty
• Points have an expiry mechanism, but the threshold is low

This means missing two consecutive quarters puts you at 2 points — within striking distance of the penalty threshold. Missing four consecutive quarters triggers the penalty.

Can you submit late?

Yes. If you miss a deadline, you should still submit as soon as possible. A late submission stops further points accruing for that quarter and keeps your record as complete as possible.

You can also amend a submitted quarter after the deadline if you find errors in a submission you made on time.

How to stay on top of quarterly deadlines

Set recurring reminders — at the start of the tax year, put the four deadlines in your calendar with a reminder 2 to 3 weeks before each one. This gives you time to review records and resolve any issues.

Keep records throughout the quarter — rather than leaving everything to the week before the deadline, update your records monthly. Import bank statements, categorise transactions, and check for gaps. This way, the quarterly deadline is a review rather than a rush.

Connect HMRC early — if you are using TenancyVault for the first time, connect your HMRC account and check your MTD status before the first quarter ends. Do not leave it until a few days before the deadline.

Import statements promptly — bank statement imports are easiest when you do them at the end of each month rather than trying to import several months at once just before the deadline.

What if the deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday?

HMRC typically moves deadlines to the next working day if they fall on a weekend or bank holiday, but do not rely on this. Aim to submit before the official deadline date regardless.

Not legal or tax advice. This guide is for information only. Deadlines may change — always check the latest guidance at GOV.UK.