Making Tax Digital – agency spells out how it can help landlords
Summary
The article explains how Making Tax Digital will affect unincorporated landlords from April 2026, requiring digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions to HMRC once income thresholds are met. It also outlines the role letting agents can play in supporting landlords, while noting that agents cannot complete returns on landlords’ behalf and that approved software will be needed.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may encounter landlords seeking advice on portfolio administration, compliance readiness and the practical implications of digital tax reporting. The phased rollout and penalty regime also have relevance for landlord behaviour, investment decisions and wider rental market administration.
Key points
- MTD for Income Tax begins in April 2026 for unincorporated landlords with gross qualifying income over £50,000.
- The threshold then falls to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028.
- Landlords must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates plus a final declaration via approved software.
- Letting agents can help with data and guidance, but cannot complete returns on behalf of landlords.
- Incorporated landlords are outside the scope of these changes.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
