Making Tax Digital - what the hell?

[roosterbooster198]

I have only just received a letter from HMRC (dated just "March 2026") on Friday 10th April telling me that I have to buy and learn how to use accountancy software to do quarterly tax returns starting from April 6th - ie they told me AFTER the date they expect me to use it from. Did anyone else get this letter late? 

[therenewalworkshopltd]

Really, they have been banging on about this for ages now.  You really didn't know?

I've had who knows how many emails about it from them.

And you don't need to buy accountancy software to do it.  There are actually a lot of free ways of doing this.
Aside from anything else, surely you have had this conversation with your accountant?

[simplyessential_uk]

How did you not know? Turnover £50k means you have to be MTD.  Ive had. HMRC letters, weekly emails with invites to webinars, Seen & heard numerous  TV adverts & Radio adverts.

You dont need to buy any software,im using Clearbooks but if you go to the hmrc website they list all compatible softwares, depending on your needs.

[fribblecollectables]

Also using Clearbooks myself. (Free version)

If in a broad sense, if you are running quite a straightforwards business its all quite simple.  I can add all the info that I already add to my spreadsheet everyday. Takes moments.

As in, buy stuff, sell it, buy in packing stuff,  pay for postage, bit of mileage. That sort of thing.

There's a long thread on the Business Seller Board with good advice on how to use it. 

[roosterbooster198]

This is absolutely the first I've heard of it. No letters before this one, nothing from Ebay, if I got any emails they must have gone to junk.

[rainbowtrax]

@roosterbooster198 I would read through this thread https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/Advise-re-MTD/m-p/7848229 from start to finish then you should have more of an idea of what to do.