Self-Assessment 24/25: Why Getting It Sorted Now Helps You Get Ahead with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

• The 2024 to 2025 Self Assessment deadline is fast approaching (31 January 2026)

• November is the ideal time to get ahead and avoid January stress

• We’re now onboarding clients for 24/25 Self Assessment submissions

• As we prepare returns, we’re identifying clients who fall under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax…Also known as MTD for Income Tax. MTD ITSA. MTD for IT. So many acronyms 🤔

• Clients are supported with a clear plan, whether they use accounting software or not

• Already on QuickBooks or Xero? We’ve got it covered 😊

• Doing your own bookkeeping? We’ll help you decide if you want to submit quarterly yourself or let us handle it

• Once you’re in with us, you’re looked after proactively. MTD prep comes as part of the journey (even if priced separately)

• We’ll most likely stop taking on new Self Assessment clients in early December, so now is the time to act 🙌🏻

Self Assessment 24/25: Why Getting It Sorted Now Helps You Get Ahead with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

We get it… It’s only November, and January feels miles away. But if you’re self-employed, a landlord, or have any other untaxed income, then the Self Assessment deadline for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is already looming.

📆 Deadline: 31 January 2026

That may seem like a long way off, but the smart move is to get it done now, before the holiday madness begins.

At BarrettStacey, we’re not just filing tax returns. We’re also setting clients up for what’s coming next: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, or… MTD ITSA, or…MTD for Income Tax or… MTD for IT… you get the idea 🤯

😊 Here’s how we’re looking after our clients

When we prepare your Self Assessment return for 24/25, we’re also checking:

• Whether you’ll fall under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026

• What software (if any) you’re using to track your income

• Whether you’ll want to submit quarterly updates yourself or let us handle it all

If you’re already using Xero or QuickBooks, you’re in a great position. We’ll just take care of everything for you 😊

If you’re doing your own bookkeeping manually or with spreadsheets, we’ll give you a plan and support to make the switch smoothly. You won’t be thrown in at the deep end; we’ll guide you every step of the way.

☺️ Why now is the time to act

We’re currently onboarding new clients for 24/25 Self Assessment submissions, but we’ll most likely close our books in early December to give each client the attention they deserve (and avoid January chaos).

By getting ahead now, you’ll:

• Submit your tax return stress-free

• Avoid last-minute panic

• Know exactly where you stand with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

• Have time to get set up with digital software if needed

🧾 A quick refresher: What is MTD for Income Tax?

From April 2026, HMRC will require many individuals with untaxed income to:

• Keep digital records

• Submit quarterly updates through approved accounting software

• Submit a final end-of-year return

This is part of the wider Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme, and it applies to:

• Self-employed individuals

• Landlords

• People with more than £50,000 in qualifying annual income

From April 2027, that threshold drops to £30,000.

We’ll help you understand if you’re affected, and build a plan with you.

🙌🏻 Already doing your own bookkeeping?

Great! We can:

• Help you continue doing your own records

• Guide you on how to submit the quarterly MTD returns yourself

• Or, you can pass it all to us, and we’ll take care of it for you

• Either way, you stay compliant, confident, and calm

🤔 FAQs: Self Assessment & MTD for Income Tax

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? It’s a new HMRC rule starting April 2026, requiring people with self-employment or property income over £50,000 to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates through approved software.

Who does it apply to?
If your total income from self-employment and/or property is over £50,000 from April 2026, or £30,000 from April 2027, you’ll be included.

Can I still use spreadsheets?
Not on their own. You’ll need to either use bridging software or move to fully compatible platforms like QuickBooks or Xero. We can help you choose and set up the right option.

Do I have to do my own quarterly submissions?
Not at all! If you’re doing your own bookkeeping, we’ll guide you on how to do the submissions if you want. No doubt we’ll have some super handy how-to guides ready to supply you or you can just send your records to us and we’ll handle it all 🙌🏻

When should I get my 24/25 Self Assessment submitted?
As soon as possible! January is always busy, and we’ll likely stop taking on new clients in early December. Submitting now gives you peace of mind and time to prepare for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, plus you will know what your tax bill is.

👋 Ready to get sorted?

🙌🏻 Submit your 24/25 Self Assessment
🙌🏻 Know where you stand with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
🙌🏻 Get a calm, supportive plan built around your business
🙌🏻 Be looked after by a team that actually keeps you in the loop

📞 Book a free call
📦 Check out our Self Assessment service
Or just email us a message saying, “Can you help me?” to ask@barrettstacey.co.uk

We’ll take it from there ☺️

Authored by Hayleigh Barrett. Director.

As founder of BarrettStacey Accounting, she leads a friendly, female-led team that focuses on clarity, communication and care, not just compliance.