Here’re five steps to complete your first submission with confidence.
1. Look at the key dates
You must submit your digital tax update to HMRC by 7 August 2026. This submission accounts for your business income and expenses from your first quarter (April to June).
2. Connect to FreeAgent (If you haven't yet)
To stay compliant with the new rules, HMRC requires you to use compatible software.
If you haven't linked your account yet, you can get FreeAgent included for free with your Mettle account.*
Head straight to the Connections screen in your Mettle app to sync them in seconds.
*To get FreeAgent included, you must make at least one transaction a month from your Mettle account. Tax rules and eligibility criteria apply.
3. Sign up for MTD with HMRC
Even if your software is linked, you still need to formally tell HMRC that you are moving to digital tax.
Log into your HMRC online services account.
Search for 'Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax' and follow the quick prompts. You will just need your National Insurance number and Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) handy.
4. Review and check your categories
Open FreeAgent to make sure your transactions are up to date. Mettle automatically categorises your day-to-day spending, so all you need to do is a final check to make sure everything is correct before you hit send.
5. Submit directly to HMRC
Once your data is reviewed, you can submit your quarterly update directly to HMRC through FreeAgent with a few taps. No paperwork, no manual spreadsheet errors – just straight-up compliance.
