HMRC has announced it will begin rolling out auto-enrollment for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from September 2026. Instead of navigating the sign-up process yourself, HMRC will now use your existing tax records to identify your eligibility and bring you into the system automatically. We’ve put together this update to clarify what this shift means for you and how you can make sure you’re ready.
No panic. We’ve got you
Do these changes affect me?
Starting in April 2026, the MTD for Income Tax requirements are compulsory for landlords and sole traders whose qualifying income exceeds £50,000, determined by your 2024/25 tax year records.
HMRC is managing this rollout with a phased approach, with plans to have the majority of eligible taxpayers in this first income bracket enrolled by the end of 2026. HMRC will contact you directly to confirm when your specific transition begins.
To double-check whether you're included in these changes, you can check out our handy guide here.
How Mettle gets you sorted
You’ll need MTD-compatible software to stay compliant, and we’ve made that easier with our FreeAgent integration.
Digital records on autopilot: You need to record every transaction digitally. Connect Mettle to FreeAgent and it will sync your transactions automatically so your books are always up to date.
Quarterly updates made easy: FreeAgent uses your Mettle data to categorise your spending and generate your reports in a few taps.
FreeAgent is included for Mettle customers at no extra cost*.
Already have an accountant?
If you already work with an accountant, you’re likely already covered. They can continue to manage these submissions on your behalf using MTD-compatible software. It’s worth checking in with them at your next catch-up to see how they plan to handle the transition for you.
What happens next?
While HMRC will handle the auto-enrollment for many people, if you meet the criteria and haven't been automatically brought into the system yet, you can enroll yourself to stay ahead of the curve.
Being proactive about these changes is a great way to stay on top of your compliance while keeping things calm and manageable. Here is what to keep in mind:
Keep an eye on your correspondence: HMRC will contact you directly if you’ve been enrolled in the MTD system.
Keep your records tidy: If you’re already using Mettle and FreeAgent, you’re ahead of the game. By continuing to keep your digital records up to date, you’re already doing the work that MTD requires.
Get your tools sorted now so you can get back to what matters.
*To get FreeAgent included, you must make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. If you don’t make one transaction a month, or if your Mettle account is closed and you continue to use FreeAgent then the FreeAgent fees will apply. Optional add-ons may be chargeable.
