When Should I Submit My Self-Assessment With Making Tax Digital?

If you’re self-employed or a landlord in the UK, the way you report your income to HMRC is about to change. With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA) on the horizon, understanding when to submit your self-assessment tax return and how to stay compliant has never been more important.

With changes being made, now is the time to look into using an expert accountant to help manage your finances. With tax returns changing and digital bookkeeping needed to stay compliant, Gorilla Accounting can help you make sure you’re as tax-efficient and organised as you possibly can.

Whether you’ve just gone self-employed or you’re a seasoned sole trader who’s been in the game for years, we’ve pulled together a guide that will walk you through the timeline of MTD, the new submission requirements, when to pay your tax bill, and how FreeAgent and Xero, included in Gorilla Accounting’s all-inclusive accounting package, can make this process smoother and help save you time and stress.

When Should I Submit My Self-Assessment?

Under Making Tax Digital, you must:

• Submit quarterly updates on your business income and expenses.
• File an End of Period Statement (EOPS) after the tax year ends.
• Complete a Final Declaration by 31st January following the end of the tax year.

While the traditional self-assessment deadline of 31st January remains, MTD introduces multiple reporting points throughout the year, fundamentally changing when you need to submit your self-assessment data and submit your return.

The Making Tax Digital Timeline

Understanding the rollout is key to preparing in advance. The timeline currently looks like this:

April 2026

• MTD for ITSA becomes mandatory for self-employed individuals and landlords with total annual income over £50,000.
• You’ll need to use compatible software (like FreeAgent & Xero) to keep digital records and send quarterly updates.

April 2027

• The threshold lowers to £30,000, bringing more self-employed individuals and landlords into the fold.

April 2028

• Current plans to expand MTD for Income Tax to sole traders and landlords with income over £20,000 from April 2028.

New businesses

• If you start your self-employed journey after April 2025, you’ll need to begin MTD compliance from the next tax year after your income surpasses the £50,000 or £30,000 threshold, depending on the year.

MTD Submission Schedule – Key Deadlines

One thing that many are confused about is what and when you will need to submit to HMRC under MTD. With any big change, it’s so important to keep on top of the latest news and information to ensure that you know exactly what is needed, when you need to fill in a self-assessment, how to work out the tax you owe, and make sure that you’re never lumped with an unexpected self-assessment tax bill.

At Gorilla Accounting, we will keep on top of this for you, ensuring everything is in place as and when it is needed, you know what to do with payments on account, and everything that needs registering for self-assessment is completed.

We will also file your tax return for you, making sure all national insurance contributions are paid and you know exactly where you stand financially.

1. Quarterly Updates

These updates summarise your business income and expenses every 3 months. They are due:

• 7th August (for period ending 5 July)
• 7th November (for period ending 5 October)
• 7th February (for period ending 5 January)
• 7th May (for period ending 5 April)

These are not tax returns. They provide HMRC with a snapshot of your business throughout the year.

2. End of Period Statement (EOPS)

After the tax year ends, you’ll submit an EOPS to:

• Finalise your income
• Make any accounting adjustments
• Claim reliefs such as capital allowances

This is due by 31st January, the same as the current self-assessment deadline.

3. Final Declaration

This is also due by 31st January. This is essentially your MTD version of a Self-Assessment return, bringing together all your income sources, including dividends, any other PAYE employment, and other tax reliefs you may have.

You’ll declare that your income is accurate, and this step confirms your final tax bill with HMRC.

So, Do I Still Need to Submit a Self-Assessment?

You’re still reporting your income to HMRC, but instead of a single annual Self Assessment return, the process is split into:

• Quarterly updates
• End of Period Statement
• Final Declaration

This replaces the traditional tax return.

So, to answer the question “When should I submit my Self Assessment with Making Tax Digital?”, the short answer is several times throughout the year, not just once at the end of January.

How FreeAgent Makes It Simple

FreeAgent is an HMRC-recognised accounting software that simplifies tax for the self-employed. When you sign up with Gorilla Accounting, FreeAgent is included at no extra cost in your monthly package.

It helps you stay MTD-compliant in various ways:

–        Automatic Bank Feeds

Connect your business bank account and FreeAgent will automatically import your transactions daily, ensuring your records stay accurate and up-to-date in real-time should you need to discuss anything with your accountant.

It also means that whenever you do need to submit anything to HMRC,

–        Real-Time Tax Estimates

FreeAgent calculates your estimated tax bill throughout the year, so you’re never surprised come January. One of the most annoying things as a business owner is getting unexpected bills, especially something as big as a tax bill. We make sure that this never happens.

This is also why we charge a fixed-fee for our accountancy packages, offering unlimited support and communication within that fee, making sure you always know where you stand.

–        MTD-Compliant Submissions

You can submit your quarterly updates, EOPS, and Final Declarations directly through FreeAgent to HMRC. This saves so much time and effort when the deadline is looming. Historically, getting your self-assessment prepared is always something that self-employed people dread, as well as those who work full time as PAYE and have a side hustle or a property that they rent out as a buy-to-let.

With FreeAgent and a Gorilla Accountant supporting you through MTD, this is all made easier.

–        Deadline Reminders

Missing deadlines and being penalised for it is stressful, expensive and time-consuming. FreeAgent reminds you when submissions are due and flags any missing information that needs to be added so that you don’t miss deadlines again.

–        Tailored for Landlords

If you earn rental income, FreeAgent also supports property-based reporting, required under MTD for landlords. It can get complicated, no matter how many properties you manage, and especially if you have PAYE income alongside it. FreeAgent can help to keep organised and tax efficient.

Why It’s Crucial to Prepare Early

Leaving things to the last minute could mean missed deadlines, incorrect tax calculations, or worse… penalties from HMRC. These include:

• £100 fine for late submissions
• Daily penalties after 3 months
• Interest on late payments
• Potential loss of reliefs or allowances

Preparing now means less stress and better financial visibility year-round. Your dedicated accountant can ensure that these penalties are never something you have to worry about.

How Gorilla Accounting Can Help

As a specialist accountancy firm for the self-employed, Gorilla Accounting offers a fully inclusive package that includes:

• Your own dedicated accountant
• Unlimited support (no surprise bills)
• FreeAgent or Xero
• Same-day response guarantee
• MTD compliance

Whether you’re a sole trader, limited company, or landlord, Gorilla will guide you through MTD setup, quarterly submissions, and everything in between.

FAQs: When Should I Submit My Self-Assessment?

Do I still submit my tax return by 31 January?

Yes, but with MTD, you’ll also submit quarterly updates and other reports throughout the year.

Do I need to register for MTD?

Yes, when your income exceeds the threshold. Your accountant at Gorilla can help you register when it’s time.

What happens if I miss a quarterly update?

You could face late filing penalties. Using FreeAgent with deadline reminders helps you avoid this.

What if I have multiple income sources?

FreeAgent and your accountant can help you report rental income, employment income, dividends, and more, all in one place.

Making Tax Digital & Gorilla Accounting

The self-assessment process is evolving with Making Tax Digital and knowing when to submit your self-assessment deadline is more than just remembering the 31^st January deadline.

With quarterly updates, End of Period Statements, and a Final Declaration, there are now multiple points of submission throughout the year that you need to keep on top of.

Thankfully, with FreeAgent, Xero and the expert support from Gorilla Accounting, you can stay ahead of the curve, remain compliant, and focus on what you do best – running your business.

If you’re ready to go digital, it’s time to speak to Gorilla Accounting today to get set up with FreeAgent or Xero and take the first step towards MTD compliance. With a same-day response guarantee and expert advice tailored for self-employed professionals, you’re in safe hands.

Call us on 0330 107 9670 to speak to a member of our New Business team to learn more and get started on your journey.