MTD ITSA quarterly deadlines: when do I need to submit?
Confused about the new quarterly submission deadlines under Making Tax Digital? Here's a straightforward breakdown of when you need to submit and what happens if you miss a deadline.
One of the most common questions we hear from sole traders is: "When do I actually need to submit under MTD ITSA?" It's a fair question — the quarterly system is a big change from the old once-a-year Self Assessment approach. Here's a clear breakdown.
The four quarterly periods
Under MTD ITSA, your tax year is split into four quarters. The standard quarterly periods for most sole traders are:
| Quarter | Period | Submission deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 April – 5 July | 5 August |
| Q2 | 6 July – 5 October | 5 November |
| Q3 | 6 October – 5 January | 5 February |
| Q4 | 6 January – 5 April | 5 May |
Each quarterly submission is a summary of your income and expenses for that period. You don't pay tax at each quarter — you're just reporting the figures.
What about the final declaration?
On top of the four quarterly updates, you'll need to submit a final declaration after the end of the tax year. This is where you confirm your figures, add any other income sources, and claim any reliefs. The deadline for this is 31 January — the same as the old Self Assessment deadline.
What if I miss a deadline?
HMRC operates a points-based penalty system for late MTD submissions. Each missed deadline earns you a penalty point. Once you reach a certain threshold of points, you'll receive a financial penalty.
The thresholds are:
- Quarterly filers — penalty kicks in at 4 points (i.e. missing every deadline for a year)
- Each point expires after 24 months if you stay compliant
So a single missed deadline won't immediately cost you money, but it's best not to let points build up.
How TaxChill handles this for you
With TaxChill, you don't need to track the deadlines yourself. We manage the whole calendar for you — preparing your quarterly submission in advance, sending it to you for approval, and submitting it to HMRC before the deadline.
You'll never be scrambling at the last minute wondering if you've missed something.
Want to get set up before your next quarterly deadline? Book a free onboarding call and we'll have you sorted within a week.
Ready to get your MTD sorted?
Book a free 45-minute call and we'll walk through your situation, recommend the right plan, and get you set up — usually within a week.