Checked against GOV.UK on 14 August 2026
The final announced phase reduces the mandation threshold to £20,000 from April 2028. Below £20,000, you are automatically exempt.
£20,000 does two jobs. Above it, from 6 April 2028, you are in Making Tax Digital. At or below it, HMRC's exemption guidance says you are automatically exempt — you do not apply, and you do not contact HMRC. That exemption is permanent unless your circumstances change.
| Qualifying income | On the tax return for | You must use MTD from |
|---|---|---|
| Over £50,000 | 2024 to 2025 | 6 April 2026 — already in force |
| Over £30,000 | 2025 to 2026 | 6 April 2027 |
| Over £20,000 | 2026 to 2027 | 6 April 2028 |
| £20,000 or less | — | Automatically exempt, unless your circumstances change |
The exemption tracks your qualifying income. If your gross self-employment and property income rises above the relevant threshold on a later return, you come into scope from the start of the following tax year. It is worth checking the figure each year rather than assuming a one-off answer holds.
Once you are using the service, you can choose to opt out if your qualifying income has been below the relevant threshold for three tax years in a row.
How opting out works → If you earn under £20,000 →
General information about UK tax rules, not tax advice. Your own circumstances and HMRC's official guidance govern your position. If you are unsure, speak to an accountant or contact HMRC. Tax rules change — if this page is more than a few months old, check the GOV.UK pages linked above. Found an error? Email hello@getaxionlabs.com and we will correct it.