Quarterly Tax Returns Are Coming. Are You Ready?
From April 2026, HMRC requires every self-employed tradesman earning over £50,000 to file digital tax returns every quarter. That's five returns a year minimum — more if you're VAT registered. A.X.E.L tracks everything you need, automatically.
It's Not Coming. It's Here.
Making Tax Digital rolls out in phases — and the first wave hits in weeks. If you're self-employed, this affects you.
Income over £50,000
Sole traders and landlords earning above £50k must file quarterly digital updates. First submission due by 7 August 2026.
Income over £30,000
The threshold drops. Every tradesman earning over £30k now needs to file quarterly — that's most established businesses.
Income over £20,000
Nearly every self-employed person in the UK is now covered. If you earn more than £20k, you're filing quarterly.
What This Actually Means
One annual tax return was painful enough. Now HMRC wants quarterly updates — and they must be filed through approved digital software.
Over four million sole traders and landlords across the UK will need to change how they report their income to HMRC.
Four quarterly updates plus an annual return — minimum. VAT-registered? Add four more. A plumber could face 19 returns a year.
Late or missing quarterly submissions mean penalty points. Rack up enough and HMRC hits you with fines — on top of the tax you already owe.
“Builders, drivers and electricians are among the self-employed who will be expected to keep digital records and file quarterly returns — or face fines if they fail to do so.”
— The Sunday Times, February 2026Your Records. Already Done.
A.X.E.L isn't MTD software — it's something better. It's the tool that means when quarterly filing time comes, you've got nothing to scramble for.
Expenses Tracked Automatically
Log materials, fuel, tools, and subcontractor costs as you go. No more shoebox of receipts at the end of the quarter.
Every Invoice on Record
Every quote that becomes a job, every invoice you send — it's all logged with dates, amounts, and payment status. Your income trail is spotless.
Profit & Loss at a Glance
Your dashboard shows income vs expenses in real time. When HMRC asks what you earned this quarter, you already know.
Syncs with Xero & QuickBooks
A.X.E.L connects directly to HMRC-recognised MTD software. Your data flows automatically — no re-typing, no errors, no double-handling.
Export-Ready Data
Need to hand your records to an accountant? Export everything in seconds. Clean, organised, and ready for submission.
Quarterly-Ready by Default
Because you're logging jobs, invoices, and expenses as they happen, your quarterly numbers are always up to date. Filing becomes a formality.
Run Your Business. Stay Compliant.
You don't need to become a tax expert. Just use A.X.E.L to run your jobs, and the records build themselves.
Run Your Jobs Through A.X.E.L
Manage leads, send quotes, raise invoices, log expenses. You're already doing this — A.X.E.L just makes it digital.
Connect Your Accounting Software
Link Xero, QuickBooks, or your accountant's preferred tool. A.X.E.L syncs your income and expenses automatically.
File With Confidence
When the quarterly deadline arrives, your numbers are already there. Your accountant submits to HMRC — or you do it yourself through the linked software.
Stop Dreading Tax Season
MTD doesn't have to mean more stress. It just means keeping better records — which A.X.E.L already does for you.
No Last-Minute Panic
Quarterly deadlines stop being scary when your records are up to date. No more frantic January scrambles — your data is always current.
Save Hours Every Quarter
Every hour spent filling in forms is an hour you can't spend earning money. A.X.E.L keeps records as you work, so filing takes minutes instead of days.
Lower Accountant Bills
When you hand your accountant clean, organised digital records instead of a carrier bag of receipts, they charge you less. Simple as that.
Avoid Fines
HMRC's new penalty system means late filings cost real money. Stay ahead of deadlines with records that are always ready to submit.
Making Tax Digital Starts April 2026
Don't wait until the deadline to sort your records. Start running your business through A.X.E.L today and you'll be MTD-ready before the first quarterly return is due.