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MTD quarterly updates: deadlines, what to include, and what they are not
MTD quarterly updates are regular summaries of business or property income and expenses. They are not the same as a full tax return, but they do need digital records behind them. Quarterly updates are easier when each quarter is treated as four smaller monthly reviews, not one deadline rush. You need enough record discipline to summarise income and expenses regularly, check obvious errors, and understand what still needs final adjustment later. Quarterly updates sound heavier than they are. This guide explains the rhythm, deadlines and common misconceptions.
Key takeaways
- Quarterly updates are summary updates, not full annual tax returns.
- The 2026-2027 quarterly deadlines are 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.
- Good monthly record keeping makes quarterly updates much easier.
- Quarterly updates are not a reason to delay monthly record checks.
- A quarterly submission can still need year-end adjustments, so keep evidence even after the update.
- Penalty rules make deadline discipline more important, but the real benefit is fewer surprises.